November 30, 2023, 9:26 am | Read time: 3 minutes
If a greenish mold forms on vegetables, sausage, or bread, the spores spread not only on the food but also in the refrigerator. After disposing of the spoiled sausage, you should also clean the refrigerator. But what’s the best way to clean moldy surfaces?
No one likes to talk about it, but it’s probably happened to everyone that a sandwich in the lunchbox or cheese in the fridge has gone moldy. However, it’s important not only to deal with the spoiled food but also with the surface where the mold has spread. Whether it’s enough to wipe away the mold with a damp cloth is revealed by myHOMEBOOK in this article.
How to Properly Remove Mold from Surfaces
After disposing of moldy food, you must also remove mold spores from the surrounding area. For some surfaces, it may be sufficient to wipe them down with a damp cloth and cleaning agent. For others, you should be particularly thorough in cleaning. myHOMEBOOK consulted Dr. Heinz-Jörn Moriske, director and professor at the Federal Environment Agency.
Removing Mold from Smooth Surfaces
If the mold has spread on plastic, metal, or ceramic, it’s enough to wipe them thoroughly—an example would be a kitchen countertop with a melamine coating. Due to the high density, the mold cannot penetrate. Use regular household cleaner for cleaning. “Be sure to dispose of the cloth afterward,” emphasizes Moriske. Plates or other dishes can simply be cleaned in the dishwasher. Here, too, the mold cannot penetrate.
Removing Mold from Wooden Surfaces
If moldy fruit was stored in a wooden bowl or spoiled bread in a bread box, the mold may have spread not only on but also inside the wood. Depending on how long the contact with the moldy food lasted, the mold threads may have penetrated deeper.
“If the food was only stored there briefly, it’s enough to wipe it with a damp cloth,” advises Moriske. However, if the spoiled food was there for several days or even weeks—such as after a vacation—you should dispose of the containers. “Otherwise, you’d have to use alcohol and then air it out properly,” says the environmental hygiene expert.
Removing Mold from Textiles
If the mold has spread on a tablecloth or the fabric lining of a bread basket, you should simply clean them in the washing machine. In particularly severe cases, it may be necessary to dispose of the moldy fabric.
Also interesting: Moldy soil in the flowerpot? Here’s what you can do
How Does Mold Form?
Mold spores are a normal part of the environment. Only when the spores find a suitable substrate do they settle and form a fungal structure. Mold also needs moisture to grow. Microorganisms and bacteria can also accumulate there, which is why the fungus often has a colorful appearance. What it means for food on which mold has spread can be found here with our FITBOOK colleagues.