5 Places Mould Could Be Growing in Your Kitchen
Household mould growth isn't just unsightly, it can also pose a big risk to your health. Inhaling or touching mould has been known to cause a whole host of problems, from respiratory concerns like wheezing and coughing to skin irritation and rashes. These conditions can be even more harmful for those who already suffer from health problems like asthma and allergies, as well as children and elderly family members with compromised immune systems. As such, it's crucial that you keep mould out of your kitchen — but how can you tell if it's there already? Here are five common mould growth sites to inspect.
1. Walls and windows
Walls and windows are two of the most common places where mould spores congregate. This is caused by condensation, which provides the ideal moist breeding ground for mould and mildew. In particular, closely inspect the creases of window frames and the corners between your walls and ceilings. On top of that, don't forget to pull out furniture to check the walls behind it. Mould thrives in darkness too, so hidden spaces behind appliances and dining tables are common mouldy areas.
2. Upper and lower cabinets
Mould grows best in dark and moist environments, which means it shouldn't be all too surprising that cabinets are commonly afflicted by mould growth. Since cabinets remained closed most of the time, they tend to be unlit and poorly ventilated. Lower cabinets, in particular, are even more likely to become mouldy because of piping. If the pipes in the cabinets under your sink leak, mould will flock to the moisture.
3. Inside your bin
Cleaning your bin may be unpleasant, but if you don't, you could find it getting seriously mouldy. The mould that grows on discarded food like stale bread and old cheese can spread to the inside of your rubbish bin, and the darkness inside will only encourage more mould growth.
4. Inside your fridge
It's also important to clean the inside of your refrigerator. If you're the type of person who often forgets to throw out old food, it's possible you could have spoilt fruit and vegetables inside spreading mould throughout your refrigerator. Always check the back of your fridge before buying groceries, as mould is often lurking behind forgotten produce.
5. Above and behind the stove
Whenever you boil water to cook dishes like pasta and vegetables, steam rises from your pots and hits the walls and ceiling around your stove. If you don't have a high-powered extraction fan running in that area, that moisture will condense and create a breeding ground for mould. As such, it's important to inspect above and behind your stove often.
Contact a mould removal service for more information.