5 Common Causes of Mold In the Kitchen and How to Remediate It

5 Common Causes of Mold in the Kitchen and How to Remediate It

Here are the five common causes of mold in the kitchen. 

1. Old Food

When there’s old food in the kitchen, you may notice mold, some noticeable by black or green spots or even white fuzz. Produce and bread are two of the most popular foods affected by mold in the kitchen.

While many think that throwing out old food will solve the mold problem, this couldn’t be further from true. When mold grows on old food, mold spores are released into the air and can attach to surfaces in your kitchen, such as countertops.

Once mold has begun to grow on your food, it can spread to areas such as your pantry, refrigerator, or in your sink. To prevent mold from growing in your kitchen, you’ll want to clean your kitchen regularly. To prevent moldy food from affecting other areas, it’s best to throw out expired food immediately.

Although moldy food doesn’t mean you have a severe mold problem, it’s essential to look for other signs of mold growth in your kitchen. If you notice mold growing on your kitchen floors, walls, or ceilings, call a professional immediately to perform mold remediation. 

2. Garbage Disposal

When your garbage disposal begins to smell like mold or mildew, it can be because of several reasons. Mold spores can grow anywhere, and drains are no exception. These mold spores will begin to grow in sink drains and garbage disposals because it’s susceptible to moisture.

It’s essential to key an eye out for moldy smells that might be coming from your sink drains or garbage disposal. Mold is often caused in garbage disposals by inserting food into your drains and not running the garbage disposal. To assist with eliminating mold from your drains, you can use a mixture of warm water, vinegar, and baking soda.

If mold has begun to spread to your kitchen cabinets, such as under your sink, call a professional immediately to prevent mold from spreading further.

3. Water Leaks

When damp surfaces are present, it only takes around twenty-four to forty-eight hours for mold to begin to grow. Some of the biggest culprits of mold growth in homes are roof leaks, flooding from pipes or natural disasters, faulty HVAC units, washing machines, and plumbing leaks.

If you’ve noticed that your kitchen has water damage and you believe there’s mold present, the best way to find out is through a professional inspection. In the event, there is severe mold present, a professional will perform mold remediation. 

4. High Humidity Levels

Although you can practically find mold in any area, when humidity levels are high, it can increase the concentration of mold. You can prevent mold from growing in your kitchen by reducing humidity between thirty and fifty percent.

If the humidity levels in your kitchen exceed sixty percent, mold, and mildew can begin to grow. One of the top reasons for high humidity levels in kitchens is poor ventilation.

If you notice a musty smell in your kitchen or any visible mold growth, contact a professional immediately for mold remediation. 

5. Cutting Boards

One of the final reasons for finding mold in the kitchen is due to cutting boards. With all the slicing and dicing that occurs on cutting boards and the absorption of water, it’s only a matter of time before you might begin to see mold growing.

Not only can mold on cutting boards present a severe health hazard, especially when prepping food, but it can ruin the appearance of your cutting boards.

One of the famous natural methods that homeowners like to use to remove mold from their cutting boards is the salt and lemon method. If you’re dealing with a large spot of mold on your cutting board, your safest bet is to throw it away and purchase a new one.

However, in the event mold has made its way on your kitchen backsplash or countertops or nearby areas where cutting boards are stored, you should contact a professional to conduct an inspection to determine if you need mold remediation.

Why You Should Choose Exit Mold for Mold Remediation

Mold needs moisture and humidity, and kitchens aren’t excluded from being one of the many areas that deal with mold problems. If your kitchen doesn’t have the proper ventilation, you might begin to notice mold forming on your walls, cabinets, or other surfaces.

At Exit Mold, our professional uses our four-step process to ensure mold is removed and stays away for good! Our mold remediation process includes the following:

• Mold detection – With the proper techniques, our professionals can detect any hidden moisture present in your kitchen without creating damage to your home.
• Mold remediation – Our experts use top-of-the-line technology to stop mold in its tracks and remove it. As part of the remediation, our professionals will restore damaged areas and sanitize your kitchen to create a healthy environment.
• Mold prevention – Our experts will remove moisture from beneath your walls or floors, if needed, to prevent mold from reappearing in your kitchen.
• Odor removal – With our state-of-the-art deodorization techniques, our experts can eliminate odors in your kitchen.

If you suspect you’re dealing with a mold problem in your kitchen, contact us today about mold remediation and schedule an in-home inspection.