Mold in the kitchen isn’t unheard of, nor does it always seem like a big deal. Even some of the cheese in your fridge might have mold. But if the mold is growing below your sink instead of on your salad, you’re dealing with something that’s much more dangerous.
Fortunately, with some know-how and foresight, homeowners can prevent mold from becoming a serious problem in their kitchens. Here’s everything you need to know about why mold grows in kitchens and what you can do to put an end to it.
The Serious Health Implications of Mold
Before discussing prevention strategies, it’s helpful to cover why mold is such a concern, especially in kitchens. Mold is a fungus that grows in damp, warm areas. This means kitchens are a great environment for mold growth. Colonies can grow on everything from your cabinets to your food, and they can be hazardous to your health.
Prolonged mold exposure has been linked to many health issues and can worsen existing symptoms. For example, if you’re prone to allergies and have mold in your home, you’ll likely feel worse when you get inside. You might start to experience symptoms like:
- Nasal congestion
- Skin irritation
- Eye irritation
- Fatigue
- Coughing and wheezing
Some mold or larger colonies can cause even worse health problems, like respiratory infections. That’s why knowing how to prevent mold is essential — it’s a way to keep you and your family safe.
How Mold Affects the Home
Your health should always be a priority. But part of that health is having a healthy home, and mold has the potential to take that away from you.
Mold can weaken the integrity of certain materials in your home’s structure. Wood is an obvious one, but even drywall can crumble under the weight of mold. In turn, you can end up dealing with expensive repairs that you don’t even realize you need until it’s too late.
Because of how dangerous mold can be to your health and your home, it’s crucial that you have a professional address it right away. This is one of the only ways to eliminate the mold from the source and prevent the colony from coming back for more.
Practical Mold Prevention Tips for Homeowners
What if you’re not dealing with mold and want to keep it that way? You can use many practical strategies to prevent mold growth in kitchens or other areas.
Clean Regularly
The kitchen can become one of the dirtiest places in your home. Clean kitchens are less likely to harbor mold spores, so keep up with your daily chores. You can use mold-resistant cleaners, and don’t forget to pay attention to areas that don’t always get the attention they need, like behind appliances or underneath your sink.
Store Food Properly
Improper food storage can lead to mold growth. The spores can travel through the air, which means the mold that grows on your food could spread to other parts of your kitchen. Prevent this by using airtight containers to store food, and check your pantry and fridge often to throw out anything that’s past its expiration date.
Watch Your Indoor Plants
If you’re a plant person and love having them in the kitchen, know they could secretly harbor mold. Care for your plants properly by making sure not to overwater them. Also, if you’re buying new plants, try to choose ones that are less prone to mold.
Maintain Your Kitchen Appliances
Kitchen appliances can be a source of moisture if you don’t take proper care of them. The refrigerator drip pan and dishwasher are two examples of ideal locations for mold to thrive. Clean the drip pan regularly, and run the dishwasher on the hottest cycle to kill off any potential mold spores.
Scheduling Your Professional Mold Services
Even when you do everything right, mold can still sneak into your kitchen. Any mold remediation plans should include hiring a professional, as it’s the best way to stop the spread at the source.
Calling mold experts can also help you identify the extent of your mold problem. You may not know how deep the issue goes, but professionals have equipment that can find colonies behind walls and in other hard-to-see spots.
Don’t hesitate to call for backup if you find yourself overwhelmed by mold. Professionals can safely and efficiently remove mold from your kitchen. But by being proactive with these steps, you can increase your chances of having and keeping a mold-free kitchen.
