How To Clean Mold From Fridge?

If you want to maintain a healthy lifestyle, you must learn how to remove mold from a refrigerator. Molds should not be permitted to grow in your storage, despite the fact that there may be a variety of undesirable items there.

Many of our wastes, including food, can be traced back to the decomposition of molds. You don’t want your meals to spoil too quickly, even if it’s normal for this to happen. In addition to being an unnecessary expenditure, it’s also bad for your appetite.

We’ll begin by removing and cleaning the mold if you’ve previously spotted it in your refrigerator. Once we know how they got there, we’ll look into how they got there. Finally, we’ll discuss techniques to keep mold from returning to your fridge in the future.

What Causes Mold Behind Refrigerators?

Both inside and outside of the refrigerator, mold can grow and the reason for this is clear. Refrigerators are frequently pushed against the back wall, resulting in poor air circulation. Mold and mildew thrive in warm, moist environments like those provided by a refrigerator’s compressor and the humidity found in most kitchens. As bad as it is, mold on the outside of a refrigerator can be, it’s still a severe issue that requires immediate attention.

Moisture Condensation on Evaporative Coils

Coils are found on both sides of a refrigerator. As a result of condensation, the coils of the condenser are hot because they receive the heat from the compressor. However, the refrigerant vaporizes in the evaporative coils, which are kept cool by heat absorption from the surroundings.

A drop pan beneath the appliance collects the water condensing from the evaporative coils, according to Air-Specialty.com. This water must go somewhere, therefore it normally falls into it. Eventually it evaporates, and can be found on the wall or the refrigerator body behind the refrigerator. Mold thrives in moist, dark places, such as basements and crawl spaces.

How to Prevent Mold Behind the Refrigerator

Remove the drip pan and empty it as soon as possible to avoid mold growth on the refrigerator’s back and wall. Once or twice a year is sufficient under typical conditions, but if your kitchen is unusually humid, you should perform this procedure more frequently.

You also need to make room behind the refrigerator so that air may flow freely. If the coils on your refrigerator are contacting the wall, it’s too close to the wall. If the coils are recessed inside the device, a minimum clearance of 1 inch is required; however, a clearance of 2 inches is preferable. Additionally, the space prevents mold growth and allows heat from the compressor to escape, extending the compressor and refrigerator’s lifespan.

How to Clean Mold

There’s no need to use bleach to remove mold from behind the refrigerator, behind a stove, or near a water heater, because the correct cleaning doesn’t need to contain it. Breath bleach might damage your appliances if you don’t use it properly, according to GE. You can also use a solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda in 1 quart of water to remove the mold instead of using a detergent and water solution.

To get rid of mold growth on the inside of your refrigerator, as well as door gaskets and other rubber parts, use a baking soda solution. Baking soda is a disinfectant and a deodorizer in one. To remove mold from door gaskets and other hard-to-remove crevices, you can use it straight from the box as a moderate scouring agent.

What You Need To Know About Your Moldy Fridge

Both indoor and outdoor mold can grow. Mold-causing fungus is hardy and thrives in dark, moist environments.

Mold thrives in a dark, moist, and chilly environment like a refrigerator. Mold may wreak havoc on your food, resulting in a putrid stench and discoloration of the refrigerator compartments.

As if that weren’t bad enough, mold produces poisonous substances known as mycotoxins that can cause major health problems if inhaled or touched.

Mold in a refrigerator is almost always the result of food that has gone bad. Mold typically grows on rotting food in the refrigerator. By moving through the air, the mold has the potential to spread to other surfaces.

Soft cheese and salami create mold naturally, which has a lower risk of spreading.

To prevent mold from forming in your refrigerator, you must properly clean it. Maintaining a low humidity level in your refrigerator and checking the water line for leaks will help prevent mold from returning.

Mold can thrive in a refrigerator that is very humid and has a lot of water in it.

Supplies You’ll Need for Cleaning a Moldy Fridge

Cleaning a moldy fridge doesn’t necessitate many specialized products. However, there are a few things you can do to make things go more smoothly.

Things you’ll need to get the job done include:

• Rubber or plastic gloves can be used.
• White wine vinegar
• baking soda, equal to two boxes
• Rubbish sacks
• Cooler
• Washcloths made of microfibre material.
• Bucket
• a little bowl made of plastic
• Towels, rags, or sponges can be used.
• Detergent for washing dishes
• Toothbrush

How to Clean a Moldy Fridge (5 Steps)

The refrigerator must be turned off before you begin the mold removal process. If you want to avoid electric shock, you need to take this precaution. Put down some rags or paper towels if you have wooden floors to prevent them from spills. Using these 5 simple procedures, you may begin cleaning your refrigerator after taking the essential safety measures.

#1 – Toss Out Expired Food and Overstayed Items

Check the expiration dates on all of your food and throw out anything that is past its use-by date. Soggy food can be removed with gloves. Mold is caused by these microorganisms. In a cooler, put the rest of the goods. No food should be left in the fridge, and cleaning up around food is a no-no, too. Cleaning out a fridge that has no food in it will save you a lot of time.

Remove all removable door inserts, drawers, and shelves while you’re at it.

#2 – Clean Thoroughly with Warm Water and Soap

Mold can be removed from hard surfaces by rinsing with warm water and a mild detergent. Soak all the pieces that can be removed in soapy water in the sink. Make sure you don’t touch the mold by using gloves while cleaning these surfaces.

Before using a baking soda and soapy water solution to clean the parts, mist them with vinegar. Mold can be stubborn, so be sure to scrub any removable parts well. Wait about 10 minutes before scrubbing again if you can’t eliminate the mold on the first try by spraying it with vinegar and waiting.

The pieces should be rinsed and wiped down with clean paper towels. In a trash bag, put the towels.

#3 – Scrub the Interior Aiming for Mold

Use dish soap and water halfway filled in a bucket to clean the inside of your refrigerator. Disinfect everything using a microfiber cloth, including the shelves, the walls, the ceiling, and the floor. Using a microfiber cloth, you may remove fingerprints and smears from your appliance’s surface.

Let the vinegar sit for 5 to 10 minutes on the gasket (the outside ring of the fridge) before cleaning it. Use a baking soda solution to clean the inside of the vehicle. Don’t shatter or scratch anything when you’re working hard on mold spots. The vinegar and mold odors will be eliminated by the baking soda solution.

To remove mold from the gasket, use a toothbrush to reach in there and clean it out.

#4 – Rinse, Dry and Re-organize the refrigerator

Clean water should be used to wash all surfaces. Dry your refrigerator by wiping it down with a microfiber towel. Dry the components that have been removed completely as well. After the refrigerator is dry, put back the inserts, drawers, and shelves. Right now is a wonderful opportunity to rearrange your shelves to free up some space.

After that, replace the fridge’s original contents. Food storage containers and bottles can have their exteriors cleaned using a moist rag or sponge. Place things that are nearing their expiration date at the front so that you can eat them first and avoid mold and rotting.

#5 – In case the Vinegar Smell is too Concentrated…

Do something about the lingering smell of vinegar and soap after you’ve put everything back in the fridge again. Refrigerate for at least 24 hours an open box or bowl of baking soda.

Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that removes unpleasant scents from the air.

A plate of ground coffee beans can be placed on a shelf for a day if the smell remains. Mold odors can be eliminated without the use of chemicals using any of these two approaches.

Prevent Mold

It’s always better to avoid a problem than to try to fix it. A moldy fridge is something you want to avoid at all costs. Keep a close check on what you keep in your fridge, especially if you have a food allergy.

As soon as you notice food that has begun to rot, toss it away. Also, use food-safe containers, tin foil, or plastic wrap to cover all of your food. Mold spores can spread from rotten food to other parts of your fridge and home if you don’t cover it.

Make it a point to wipe out your refrigerator on a regular basis. To avoid musty odors and mold growth, leave the door(s) open for a few days after each cleaning session.

Every so often, it’s a good idea to defrost your fridge in order to keep the ice from building up and creating an ideal environment for mold to grow and spread. Keep an eye out for any leaks and fix them as soon as you notice them.

Avoid storing cardboard or paper in your fridge if at all possible, as these materials can absorb moisture and serve as breeding grounds for mold. Preserve the freshness of your vegetables and fruits by storing them in plastic crates rather than cardboard boxes.

Food Storage Tips to Avoid Mold Buildup

Good food storage procedures are necessary to prevent mold from forming in your refrigerator.

Milk and other dairy food

Wrapped cheeses should be stored towards the back of the refrigerator or in a deep drawer. In the main shelves, not on the door shelves, put dairy-based foods. Milk and other dairy products can be damaged by temperature changes on door shelves.

Lettuce, berries and herbs

Organize your fridge’s drawers with plants, berries, and vegetables.

Store eggs

Door shelves or other places can be used to store eggs with minimal fuss.

Ethylene gas-producing veggies and fruits

Foods sensitive to ethylene should not be combined with this sort of meal. Green beans, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, mangoes and avocados are among the ethylene-sensitive foods.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes should be stored away from ethylene-producing foods unless they are quite ripe.

Jarred items

You can store jarred condiments, such as olives, jellies, and dressings, on the door shelf.

Temperature fluctuations have little effect on these objects, which are quite stable.

Wrapped meat and fish

Place food that has been wrapped in a container or on a plate to prevent dripping. To avoid contaminating the food below, keep this type of food on the lower shelf.

Salad vegetables

Protect your salad vegetables from contamination by wrapping them in air-holed sheets. To keep these vegetables fresh for as long as possible, simply wrap them in a moist paper towel. In the crisper, keep your salads (salad drawer).

Mold can grow in your refrigerator if you don’t follow these basic guidelines.

• Refrigerators should never be left with open cans. They can cause chemical pollution and encourage the growth of molds.
• Don’t cram your fridge to the brim. Your refrigerator’s cooling unit can be hindered by cramming it full of food.
• Ensure that the fridge and freezer are kept at a temperature of 5°C and -18°C, respectively.
• The new stock is stacked on top of the previous one. Avoid throwing away food by eating your fridge’s food in accordance with its expiration date.

Hire a professional

Getting professional assistance with the upkeep of your refrigerator is a surefire method. It is possible for mold spores to travel from your fridge to other sections of your home, but a trained professional can handle this with ease.

How do molds get into your fridge?

Food is the most common source of mold in refrigerators. Molds love rotting food because it provides the perfect breeding ground. Mold begins to grow as soon as decaying food is placed in a dimly lit environment.

Molds are fungi, and their spores can spread through the air and surface contact, even if you’ve already disposed of the decomposing food. Mold can form in your refrigerator if it has been left unattended or unplugged for an extended period of time. Mold thrives in dark, moist environments, so make sure to read this article for some basic advice on how to get rid of mold after a flood.

You can also check here to see whether your mini-fridge is malfunctioning mechanically. Were the molds to return after doing these methods, it would be wise to talk with a professional and have your refrigerator checked out.

How to prevent molds from getting in your fridge

In order to keep mold out of your refrigerator, follow these simple precautions. Molds can no longer be an issue to deal with with a little bit of control and organization. Let’s begin by arranging your meals.

Food with a lengthy shelf life and that has not yet expired should be kept in the refrigerator’s interior, whereas food that is about to expire should be kept on the front shelves. The refrigerator should be kept at a constant temperature to prevent food from spoiling and decomposing.

When it comes to keeping food, it’s a good idea to get familiar with containers like Tupperware. This way, you won’t have to worry about your food rubbing against the fridge’s surface, and you’ll also be able to free up some room in the process. Other food coverings, such as aluminum foil, can also be used in this way.

FAQs

When should mold be cleaned?

Mold can be killed with a bleach solution. Apply one cup of bleach to a gallon of water, and don’t rinse. Ammonia and water should be mixed in a 50/50 solution. Rinse after two to three hours after spraying

Is it safe to use fridge after mold?

With a few exceptions, you should throw away any food in the refrigerator that has visible mold on it because some types of mold are harmful to human health. Mycotoxins, which cause individuals to become ill, can grow in a variety of foods, including grains, nuts, and produce. Aflatoxin-type mycotoxins are toxic and can cause cancer.

Can I use Clorox wipes to clean the inside of my fridge?

Is it Safe to Clean My Fridge With Clorox Wipes? You can, after all. You should not use Clorox wipes when you’re doing a deep clean of your refrigerator. The door knobs may be cleaned quickly and easily with these convenient wipes.

Is it safe to clean mold yourself?

You might be tempted to clean it up on your own if you notice the existence of this health-threatening fungus. Mold cleanup is a job best left to the pros. Infestations that are only a few square feet in size may be manageable by a single person.

How do you remove black mold from refrigerator seals?

Pour a cup of warm water over a half-teaspoon of dish soap. Scrub the rubber seal with a clean towel soaked in the solution. Spot-clean black mold spots with a half-and-half solution of chlorine bleach and warm water if they are still visible. Use warm, clean water to give the dish a last rinse.

Conclusion

Mold removal from a refrigerator can be as simple as following these steps. Molds are just the result of something being left ignored, thus paying attention to the food in your fridge would be really beneficial. Having learnt how to clean your fridge, it is also appropriate for you to perform basic checkups on occasion.