Kitchen Cabinets

How to Clean Moldy Kitchen Cabinets

mold sign on kitchen cabinets

Opening your kitchen cabinets to see mold lurking inside could be a nightmare for you because nothing on earth can ruin the elegance of your kitchen cabinets as does the mold on your kitchen cabinets. If you are here, you must be the one who is fed up with moldy kitchen cabinets and now eager to know How to clean moldy kitchen cabinets. Fortunately, if you know the proper methods and equipment, you can effectively clean and prevent mold growth in your kitchen cabinets.

Kitchen cabinets enhance and portray the beauty of your kitchen. However, mold in kitchen cabinets is a common but challenging problem that damages your cabinets and poses health risks. Still, this does not imply that you should abandon your cabinets.

Thus, continue reading this guide till the end as by the end you will get to know How to clean moldy kitchen cabinets, the causes of mold in the kitchen, and how to prevent mold growth in the kitchen. 

So let’s get started and remove mold from your kitchen cabinets.

How to clean moldy Kitchen Cabinets:

Kitchen cabinets are the perfect place for mold to grow since the fungus likes moist, dark, and poorly ventilated environments. 

Additionally, As a result of indoor mold growth. Everyone living in the house, especially those with weaker immune systems or respiratory disorders, may experience health problems. Having mold in your kitchen cabinets can be problematic because it brings your dishes, glasses, pots, and even boxed food to fungus. 

So, It’s necessary to deal with mold immediately but before moving toward How to clean moldy kitchen cabinets let’s first have a look at the causes of mold in kitchen cabinets.

Causes of mold in the kitchen cabinets.

Mold growth in kitchen cabinets is due to organic material, poor ventilation, and moisture. Wood or wood combined cabinets are more prone to mold growth because they offer organic material for the fungus to feed on. You can stop mold growth and keep your kitchen healthy by knowing the common causes. The following are some major causes of mold in kitchen cabinets:

  • Mold can grow easily in an area where there is constant moisture exposure, such as behind cabinets or beneath sinks caused by leaky pipes.
  • Inadequate Ventilation can lead mold to grow. When cooking, especially in a poorly ventilated kitchen, humidity can build up. This humidity can become trapped in the cabinets if there isn’t an exhaust fan or open windows.
  • Accidentally drips and drops from cooking or cleaning that are not cleaned up right away can cause moisture to enter the cabinets which can cause mold to grow.
  • Food products, especially fresh produce, should not be stored in cabinets as this can provide mold as a food source. Spores of mold may land on these things and grow.
  • A cold spot where condensation forms due to a lack of insulation in the walls beneath the cabinets may promote the growth of mold.

You can considerably reduce the chance of mold growing in your kitchen cabinets by determining and resolving these causes. 

After knowing the causes behind the mold growth in your kitchen cabinets let’s move to the next step of cleaning moldy kitchen cabinets.

How to Clean Mold on kitchen cabinets

Materials Needed for Mold Removal From Kitchen Cabinets:

Before beginning, put together the following products:

  • Equipment Required
  1. Safety gear (goggles, mask, and gloves)
  2. A bucket
  3. Hot water
  4. A light detergent or dish soap
  5. White vinegar
  6. Baking soda
  7. Hydrogen peroxide
  8. Spritz bottle
  9. A scrub brush or sponge
  10. Paper towels or gentle linens
  11. A dehumidifier or fan

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Clean Moldy Kitchen Cabinets:

After talking about the equipment you need in the cleaning process of moldy cabinets, let’s talk about how to get rid of mold from your kitchen cabinets. If the mold growth is too severe, this may not always be feasible. But here are some useful tips and methods that will help you to clean moldy kitchen cabinets:

Note: In case you are in a hurry here are useful tips.
  • Tips for cleaning moldy kitchen cabinets:
  1. Safety comes first so wear your protective gear.
  2. Remove every type of essential or item from your cabinets.
  3. Ventilate the space.
  4. Make a cleaning solution.
  5. Do deep cleaning with a sponge or cloth.
  6. Make vinegar solution and spray it.
  7. Clean and Drain.
  8. If the mold remains spray it away with 3% of hydrogen oxide.
  9. Dry deeply.
  10. You are all done.

mold sign on kitchen cabinets

A Detailed Guide on Cleaning Moldy Kitchen Cabinets:

Though cleaning a moldy kitchen is a tough and challenging task, it can most of the time be done without hiring a specialist. As you read further, you will find how to clean your kitchen cabinets by removing mold: Always use a commercial cleaner specially tailored to kill and remove mold. Other household pantry items like bleach, distilled white vinegar and even hydrogen peroxide can also be used to remove mold. Remember never to mix different types of cleaners together.

Use Safety Gear:

When mold spores get on your skin or in your respiratory system, they can be dangerous. To reduce exposure, put on goggles, a mask, and protective gloves.

Empty the Cabinets: 

Take everything out of the cabinets that are damaged. Throw away any food that has come into contact with mold, and look for impurities on other items.

Ventilate the Space:

 To guarantee sufficient airflow, open your doors and glazing. 

Get a Cleaning Solution:

In a bucket, combine some dish soap or simple detergent drops with warm water.

To get rid of as much mold as you can from the cabinet surfaces, use a sponge or cloth to wipe them down. In the soapy water, soak your sponge or cloth several times.

Make Use of the Vinegar Solution:

A spray bottle should be filled with pure white vinegar.

Directly spray the moldy areas with vinegar, and then let it lie for no less than an hour. A natural mold remover and deodorizer is vinegar.

Rinse and Scrub:

Once the vinegar has had a chance to do its job, clean the surfaces once more using a scrub brush or sponge. Particular attention should be paid to nooks and crannies where mold may remain.

Tackle Difficult Areas:

Make a paste with water and baking soda for tough mold stains.

After applying the paste and letting it sit for ten to fifteen minutes, rub the affected areas with a brush. Additionally, Use a moist towel to rinse.

Use Hydrogen Peroxide:

Apply a 3% concentration of hydrogen peroxide spray and let it sit for 10-12 minutes to the impacted areas if the mold persists in growing.

Dry Completely:

Make sure the cabinets are dry to stop the mold from growing back. You can speed up the drying process by using a device called a dehumidifier or fan.

Replace all of the necessities that you removed from the cabinet earlier after the cabinet has dried completely. By following these methods and a step-by-step guide you will surely get rid of your moldy kitchen cabinets.

How to Clean Kitchen Cabinets_

How to prevent mold growth in the kitchen:

Keeping the kitchen clean, ventilating properly, and controlling moisture levels all need to be done proactively to stop the growth of mold. The following are some practical methods to prevent mold growth in your kitchen:

  • Improve ventilation in your room. When cooking or cleaning, use exhaust fans to remove humid air from the kitchen. Additionally, Let fresh air in by opening the windows, especially after cooking or running the dishwasher.
  • Set up Moisturization in your kitchen by checking and repairing any kind of leaks also use waterproof substances like waterproof paint or waterproof liners to protect cabinets from humidity.
  • Regularly clean the cookware, cabinets, and countertops in the kitchen to get rid of spills and food debris. Food should be kept in airtight containers to avoid spills and lower the chance of mold growth.
  • Keep an eye out for any indications of mold growth in cabinets, particularly those under sinks and next to water sources. The presence of any musty smell may be a sign of concealed mold growth.

The key to stopping the growth of mold in the kitchen is to control moisture, make sure there is adequate ventilation, and keep the area clean. By using these techniques, you can reduce the chance of mold growth and create a more hygienic and healthy kitchen atmosphere. 

When to Call a Professional:

How to Clean Kitchen Cabinets_

After knowing How to clean moldy kitchen cabinets by yourself now let’s have a look at when to get help from professionals in cleaning mold. Some mold problems in the kitchen can be resolved by do-it-yourself techniques, but in other cases, a professional’s knowledge and skills are needed. You can protect your health and the safety of your house by understanding when to call a professional and also save time and effort.  

If mold grows over 10 square feet, returns frequently, or is concealed by walls or ceilings, it is time to call a professional. If mold breaks down walls and cabinets, poses a serious health risk, or doesn’t go away after you try cleaning the area, get professional help. 

Professionals are also required for proper mold testing, claims against insurance, pre-purchase home inspections, and adherence to safety regulations. Their knowledge guarantees complete and secure mold removal, safeguarding both your house and your well-being.

 

FAQs About How to Clean Moldy Kitchen Cabinets :

  • How do you get rid of mold on cupboards?

To get rid of mold on cupboards, mix vinegar and water in equal parts. You can either use a mixture of bleach and water( one part bleach to four parts water). Wipe the mold gently scrubbing it. Spray the mixture on the affected area and scrub it with a brush. Wipe it clean with a damp cloth and dry well with a soft cloth.

  • Do moldy cabinets need to be replaced?

Moldy cabinets don’t really need to be replaced if the mold is surface-level. However, the replacement might be vital if the mold has made its way deep into the structure. In this case, mold may cause structural damage eating and completely degrading the cabinets making the replacement necessary. 

  • What causes white mold on kitchen cabinets?

Excessive moisture, poor ventilation, and lack of sunlight are the main causes of white mold on kitchen cabinets. Most of the time, mold on kitchen cabinets can be the result of a food source such as wood, carpeting, and other organic materials.

The Bottom Lines:

To wrap it up on, How to clean moldy kitchen cabinets. Cleaning moldy kitchen cabinets requires consideration of accuracy and the proper methods. Keeping a kitchen safe and healthy requires regular cleaning of moldy kitchen cabinets. You can successfully remove mold and stop it from growing again by being aware of its causes and using a methodical cleaning procedure.

By following the steps listed above in the article you can properly remove mold from your kitchen cabinets. Furthermore, by considering recommendations you can still control and prevent the growth of mold in your kitchen cabinets.

Now that you understand how to clean mold from kitchen cabinets, and the appropriate strategy, you can maintain your kitchen cabinets’ cleanliness, mold resistance, and good appearance for many years to come.

Also Read: https://howipedia.com/how-to-match-existing-kitchen-cabinets/