





Mould is tough stuff and in all honesty it can appear anywhere in and around the average home, as long as there is a little bit of unaddressed moisture, it can hang. One place it is very fond of however is the kitchen, as all too often all of the right conditions are in place for it to thrive and grow. Once in place it has the ability to spread very quickly and can be tough to get rid of. If though you take some precautionary measures to help prevent mould formation (as well as its closely related friend mildew) you can save yourself a lot of hassle, expense and even health problems further down the line.
Spruce Up with Mould Resistant Paint
Have you been thinking about giving you kitchen a bit of a mini makeover with a couple of new coats of paint? That is indeed a relatively easy and expensive way to breathe new life into a dull kitchen and if you splash out the extra few dollars on a mould resistant paint when you do so you’ll be adding an extra ‘layer of protection’ against nasty mould at the same time.
Keep Carpet Out of the Kitchen
Even if you think it will add a layer of warmth to a cold kitchen, and the label claims it is stain proof, carpet in the kitchen is never a good idea. This is because carpet acts like a natural magnet, pulling all kinds of things from the air deep down into its fibres, including the excess moisture that tends to be found in the average busy kitchen. This can then easily result in mould that lives inside the carpet, or on its backing, that you simply won’t be able to see and that will not be removed even if you vacuum it twice a day.
If you must add fabric to warm up a hardwood or ceramic tile kitchen floor, make it a rug instead and even then get into the habit of lifting that rug up and checking its underside for the telltale signs of mould.
Check the Wall Behind the Range
If you cook at least once a day (which most of us at least try to) more moisture is generated on a daily basis than you might imagine and much of it can find its way behind the range where it can’t be seen, leading to the growth of mould and mildew that can’t be seen as well. Or at least can’t be seen until it begins to creep up the wall above the range, at which point you may have a serious problem. It is a bit of a pain but try to get into the habit of at least occasionally checking the wall space behind the range, just in case.
Check Inside the Cupboards
Kitchen cupboards, especially the dark corners where crumbs and food remnants may have been lingering unseen for a while, are another place that mold can quite easily form and grow unseen. Therefore these are spots that should also be checked for mold and mildew often and keeping them as clean and clutter free as possible will help a great deal too.
Look Out for Leaks
Little leaks can occur all over the kitchen, and not just under the sink either. And we all know that leaks means excess moisture, and excess moisture means mould. Places to regularly check for leaks? Dishwasher and refrigerator hoses, the washing machine plumbing and around kitchen window frames.
Wash the Walls
Over time kitchen walls develop a layer of grease, moisture and dirt that is simply an unavoidable by-product of cooking in the space. To prevent this from becoming a new home for mould was the walls on a regular basis and make sure you dry them off properly when you are done.
Ventilate, Ventilate, Ventilate
Whether it means occasionally opening the windows, running the exhaust fan or switching on the ceiling fans – or a combination of all three – keeping your kitchen space well ventilated can be a very effective weapon against the formation of mould and mildew.