Mold is a microscopic pore that can grow anywhere provided there is a moist environment. Therefore, mold can grow on your dishes and in your kitchen sink. The fungus can grow in 24-48 hours and you start seeing odors and stains learning how to clean moldy dishes is vital to keep your home safe and avoid a health hazard. Remember, molds are dangerous.
The CDC recommends taking safety precautions when handling mold. Therefore, follow the guide below to safely clean moldy dishes. Remember, safety first, and never handle the fungus with bare hands.
#Table of Contents
What You Need?
Protective cleaning gloves
Water bucket
Dishwashing liquid
Chlorine bleach
Protective eyewear
Protective face mask
Measuring cup
Stiff scrubbing brush
A towel or dishcloth
Precautions To Take
Never mix chlorine bleach with a dish detergent and other household cleaners. If you are not sure if the dish is chlorine bleach safe, simply inquire from the manufacturer. Major bleach manufacturers recommend using chlorine bleach on plastics, dishes, baby bottles, sippy cups, and wooden cutting boards.
Besides, kitchen sink manufacturers forbid using bleach on the basis as the chemical can affect the surface finish. Therefore, it’s good to read the user manual.
Removing Mold Off The Dishes
To clean your moldy dishes, follow the steps below.
- Wear protective gear such as gloves, eyewear, and facemask before you get started.
- Scrape off the mold using the bristle brush. Do this next to trash to ensure the spores don’t land on other surfaces.
- Fill your dishpan with hot water then add two tablespoons of your dishwashing liquid.
- Soaks your dishes in that hot water for 20 minutes. Take care not to burn your hands as the water is hot and the dishes have mold.
- After 20 minutes have elapsed, drain the water and start washing the dishes one after the other using the brush.
- In case you use the dishwasher, you will have to clean it thoroughly thereafter to ensure you don’t leave mold inside that can affect your other utensils.
- Use a towel to dry each dish and do it carefully to ensure there is no more mold left behind.
- Clean the kitchen surface properly after finishing to ensure there are no more molds.
- Thoroughly wash your hands to ensure any mold spores still left is washed off.
This method works wonders and will eliminate the mold from your dishes. However, it depends on the intensity of the mold and type. Mold colonies are large, which is why you need to do this thoroughly to ensure you get rid of all the mold.
However, if you try scrubbing them off but it won’t come off or the stains persist, then your dishes need sanitizing to remove the mold.
How To Clean Moldy Dishes Using Bleach?
Observe the precautions given earlier because bleach can stain surfaces since it’s a caustic liquid. This liquid can stain your surrounding surfaces like countertop and fabrics. Therefore, it’s best to do the cleaning inside the kitchen sink or use a dishpan.
Mix your chlorine bleach with water 1/4 teaspoon in 1 quart of cold water to make an effective solution
Dip your dishes inside the sink or dishpan and start scrubbing with a brush
Rinse every dish thoroughly using clean warm water
Use the dish towel or cloth to dry the dishes and ensure there are no molds on the surfaces.
How To Get Rid Of Mold In Your Dishwasher?
In case you used the dishwasher to clean your dishes, then ensure you sanitize the dishwasher to remove any underlying mold inside. De-mold the dishwasher interior by following the steps below.
Mix 3 cups of water with 1/2 cup of chlorine bleach.
Dip a sponge or rag into the mixture above and use it to clean the interior of your dishwasher thoroughly.
Run your dishwasher machine through the rinse cycle to remove any cleaner still left inside which can remain on your dishes the next time you use the machine.
However, never mix chlorine bleach with ammonia together as it produces a toxic gas that can harm you.
How To Prevent Mold From Recurring On Your Dishes?
Cleaning the mold off doesn’t solve the problem for good. You need to take precautions to ensure that it never affects you again. Remember, mold thrives in moist areas and your kitchen offers the perfect environment as it has high moisture content from the cleaning and cooking that takes place.
Therefore, the dryer your surrounding is the safer you are at home. To ensure you don’t have a mold problem follow the tips below.
Watch out for kitchen leakages in the area and surrounding areas like cabinets.
Open your cabinets regularly to allow fresh air and light inside.
Never put wet dishes in the cabinet, ensure they are completely dry. Only dishes that are 100% dry should be in the cabinet.
Regularly clean your dishwasher interior
Do deep cleaning regularly to eliminate all bacterial growth and ensure the surrounding is not conducive for growth.
Consequently, don’t sit around waiting for mold to grow then take preventive measures. You should avoid the growth altogether by making sure the surrounding is not conducive. Do routine thorough cleaning even when you haven’t had a mold risk.
Molds are hazardous to humans. Therefore, take a proactive approach to ensure your home is safe. No household is ever safe from molds and the changing weather conditions only mean you need to be more vigilant. Floods and heavy rains create the right environment for the fungus to grow.
Regardless of how busy you may be, find the time or hire a house cleaner to do a thorough job to protect your home and dishes.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to clean moldy dishes, you can always take care of any mold problem in your kitchen. Precautions are a must as the fungus can affect your health. Never handle the molds with bare hands and stock enough protective gear.