How To Clean Mold Out Of Freezer: 5 Basic Sanitation Steps

There are two cleaning solutions used in how to clean mold out of freezer. These are bleach and vinegar; both are well-known mold-killing solutions.

So, if you have freezer mold in your midst, this article will help you. 

how to clean mold out of freezer

 

Mold On Freezers

Mold affects different parts of your household; even your appliances aren’t safe with them. As long as there is moisture they can settle into, they will thrive.

If you want proof of how they can devastate household equipment, here’s an article about cleaning mold from window air conditioners.

This article does not just talk about any home appliance. It will tackle freezers, where we store our food.

Before anything else, let’s define what freezer mold is. 

 

What is freezer mold?

Quite literally, freezer mold is mold that grows in your freezer. It’s similar to other types of mold that grow in your bathroom or furniture.

Freezer molds are commonly black or gray with a fuzzy texture. Sometimes, they may be white and powdery as well.

We know what freezer mold looks like, so let’s dive in on what causes it. 

 

What causes mold on freezers?

The leading cause of freezer mold is rotting food.

Foods like produce, nuts, and grains are prone to mold growth. They destroy the food, spread in the freezer, and are dangerous to eat.

Spoiled food, as mentioned above, has mold spores that spread throughout the freezer’s ventilation system. These mold spores then lead to mold growth, and it further extends to other food present in the freezer.

Another cause of freezer mold is a mechanical problem, which leads it to malfunction. Malfunctioning freezers may have a higher level of humidity or a moisture leak.

If you notice that freezer molds are not due to spoiled food, then look into their mechanisms. You can opt to call a technician to help you fix the problem.

 

How does mold on freezers affect the stored food?

Molds affect stored food by making them dangerous for human consumption. They take away its texture, flavor, and nutritional value.

It may also have adverse health effects for you. For your reference, here’s an article talking about the consequences of drinking mold.

Since freezer mold affects food, it also affects you. If you accidentally eat one, then you may get digestive upset.

If you have pre-existing illnesses or have a susceptibility to mold, then the effects may be worse. The adverse effects of mold is why you must take care of it as soon as possible.

Also, learn about the ways to prevent mold in freezers. You’ll read those as you continue with the article.

 

Cleaning Mold Out Of The Freezer

If the mold-contaminated part of your freezer is non-porous (e.g., plastic), then a non-penetrating substance like bleach is appropriate. However, if you are dealing with mold on a porous material like rubber, you need a penetrating substance.

One example of such a solution would be vinegar, which gets beyond the surface and kills the roots of the mold. 

 

Steps In Cleaning Freezer Mold

 

Step #1. Assess

Look into the material affected by mold, then prepare the solution that works well with it. After that, put on protective gear, like gloves and goggles.

Remove all the food in your freezer and unplug it. Then, throw away the spoilt food and keep the ones that weren’t mold-contaminated.

 

Step #2. Make the cleaning solution

Choose between the vinegar or bleach solution, then put either in a spray bottle. After that, spray the mixture on the mold-contaminated surfaces until all mold growth is covered.

After spraying the mixture on the mold, let it sit for a couple of minutes. 

 

Step #3. Scrub

Scrub the mold-contaminated surfaces of your freezer with a rag, especially the ones with mold stains. Then, wipe the remaining cleaning mixture with a clean cloth. 

 

Step #4. Repeat

Repeat steps two and three to other parts of the freezer. Spray the cleaning solution on the shelves, drawers, and freezer door.

Pay close attention to the rubber stopper because it can mainly attract mold growth. 

 

Step #5. Deodorize

Mold comes with musty smells, so part of cleaning it is getting rid of the foul odor. An accessible solution to such a problem is baking soda.

Baking soda neutralizes the pungent odor of mold in your freezer, and it does not exude a strong scent itself. If you want alternatives to baking soda, you can consider coffee grounds to deodorize your freezer. 

 

Ways of preventing mold growth in freezers

The best way of mold prevention on freezers is to be a responsible buyer. Properly handle your food and store them accordingly.

Also, only buy what you can eat within the recommended storage period. 

Second, if you have spoiled food, remove them from your freezer immediately. This is also where proper storage comes in handy because wrapping them prevents mold spores from landing directly on the food.

Lastly, do regular cleaning and maintenance. This prevents dirt build-up or mechanical issues that may lead to mold growth. 

 

Conclusion

You are now informed of the steps on how to clean mold out of freezer. Hopefully, this article about freezer molds was helpful to you.

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