Can Mold Grow in Your Refrigerator?
Yes, mold can definitely grow in your fridge! It could be one of the reasons you are here right now—perhaps you found a suspicious substance on some food in your fridge and you’re wondering if it’s mold.
Some people figure that mold is unlikely to grow in a cold environment, and while mold does thrive in warm temperatures, it can still form on foods in your refrigerator. At My Pure Environment, we want to help you recognize molds so you can keep your home safe.
Is Mold in the Refrigerator Dangerous?
Bread is the #1 top mold-producing food to avoid. If your bread is moldy, throw it out! Eating even the “untouched” portion of bread could make you ill. Dangerous and unpleasant reactions occur from eating harmful mold growing on food.
If you consume moldy food from your fridge you could leave yourself vulnerable to:
- Allergic reactions
- Respiratory problems
- Nausea
- Diarrhea and upset stomach
- Gut imbalance
For your health and safety, do not eat moldy foods. Unless the mold is specifically designed as part of the food (like blue cheese) it’s best not to eat it. Safe food molds like the Penicillium roqueforti species that creates cheeses like Roquefort, Gorgonzola, and “bleu cheese” are okay to consume.
Mold Growing on the Inside of the Fridge
Dangerous molds are the ones that produce mycotoxins. You might find dangerous molds growing on the shelves of your refrigerator. If you have a fridge that you don’t use very often, like at a vacation home, in the garage, in a guest space, or in an office that hasn’t been visited in a while, then mold could have taken over the inside. Even your everyday-use fridge can be susceptible to mold growth.
How to Clean a Moldy Fridge and Keep It Safe
Here are some steps you can follow to clean mold out of your refrigerator so it’s safe to use again:
- Throw out any tainted food and give the fridge a thorough cleaning.
- Unplug your fridge and clean it with a solution of white vinegar and water. If it needs a more intense scrub, you can use baking soda.
- Let the fridge dry completely after cleaning.
- Give your fridge a wipe down every couple of weeks. Wipe the inside of the doors, the drawers, and the shelves to sanitize them.
- Clean up any moisture or spills and toss moldy foods immediately.
Got mold in your Spokane, WA home or office?
Our mold remediation professionals are standing by to help you get rid of mold. We’ll do a thorough air and surface sample to establish the mold concentration levels in your home, then identify the best treatment plan for your specific problem. We can treat most homes or businesses in the Spokane area in as little as four hours! Call us today for a free consultation or visit our website for your free online quote.
Image used under creative commons license – commercial use (6/3/2021) Erik Mclean (Unsplash)
