Sometimes refrigerators get moldy, even if you think you’re doing everything right. Don’t worry, it isn’t a reflection on your hygiene—sometimes mold just happens. Thankfully, there are ways to prevent mold from forming and stop it from coming back. Read on to learn the most common ways to prevent mold, along with some tips and tricks for how to get rid of it. Let’s get started!
This is the most obvious and the most important thing you can do to prevent mold. Regular cleaning is especially important if you’ve had an issue with mold in your refrigerator before—you need to make sure the problem is completely eradicated and there are no mold spores remaining, or it will likely grow back. Here are some tips for cleaning your refrigerator to help prevent mold:
Proper ventilation is essential for preventing mold, as it stops your fridge from getting too moist. Here are some tips for how to ensure your fridge is properly ventilated:
Keep at least one to two inches of space on all sides of the refrigerator to allow for adequate airflow and heat dissipation.
Regularly clean the condenser coils (usually at the back or bottom of the fridge) using a brush or vacuum to remove dust and debris that can restrict airflow and reduce energy efficiency.
Don’t overcrowd the refrigerator with food items. Leave space between items to ensure proper air circulation and even cooling inside the fridge.
Arrange items so that they don’t block the vents inside the refrigerator. Ensure air can flow freely around shelves and drawers.
Regularly clean the vents and fans (evaporator and condenser) to ensure they remain free of dust, debris, or ice buildup, which can impede airflow.
Ensuring your food is stored properly is one of the most important ways to prevent mold. Airtight food storage prevents moisture from evaporating into your fridge’s interior. Make sure everything is sealed and covered. Here are some great storage ideas:
Mold spreads, and moldy food in your fridge can easily spread to the fridge’s interior. Have regular audits of your ingredients, and don’t let anything get forgotten at the back of your fridge.
Also make sure you’re aware of the expiration dates of the food in your fridge. Expired food is much more likely to go moldy.
Some fruits and vegetables keep longer if stored loose in your crisper drawer. This is fine as long as you make sure that they’re perfectly dry. While it is important to wash your produce before eating it, you need to dry it carefully with paper towels or let it sit to dry on your countertop before putting it in your fridge.
Mold struggles to grow at very cold temperatures, so ensuring that your fridge is the right temperature can go a long way towards preventing mold. The ideal temperature range for your fridge is between 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range is cold enough to slow down mold growth and bacterial activity, while not being so cold that it causes food to freeze.
If your door seals are not working correctly, your refrigerator is not airtight. This can lead to mold forming because moist air can enter your fridge. This is particularly true if you live in a humid or moist climate. Damaged seals also make it harder for your fridge to maintain the correct temperature.
To check your door seals:
Not all fridges have water filters, but if yours does, make sure it is clean. A clogged or contaminated filter can promote mold growth. You can check your manufacturer’s instructions for how often your water filter should be replaced, but a good rule of thumb is to replace it every six months, or after it has filtered 200-300 gallons of water.
Following the steps outlined above will ensure your fridge stays mold-free. In the case of mold, prevention is much, much easier than fixing the issue, so even if you’ve never had a mold problem, you will still benefit from these tips.
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