How To Remove Mold From Dishes: Easy 3-Step Kitchen Guide

Our meals are the one thing we want to always be fresh and clean, and yet, “how to remove mold from dishes” is one of the most searched inquiries on the net. Along with that is the popularity of searches as to whether food, like bread, is still safe to eat if there were already molds, which we’ll address here.

Food is a bit of a favorite spot of molds to grow and reproduce — even more when dishes with just the right amount of leftovers on them are left in your sink or dishwasher. Molds find it relatively easy to start a colony in our food since the resources they need are commonly already present in their usable form, with enough moisture on them.

how to remove mold from dishes

So molds also love food, and now they might get served with your dishes, too. Let’s go straight into how you can remove them and how safe meals will be in the same dishes after you’ve cleaned the mold.

 

Steps On Removing Molds From Dishes

Molds reproduce and spread into various areas using their spores, which can be carried by air. Given that dishes already have moist on them for the mold spores to start, and now that the mold colonies are already present, here are the steps to remove them successfully.

 

Step #1. Preparation

First of all, when dealing with these kinds of tasks, especially where there are health risks involved, you must be prepared with everything you might need. Having safety precautions ready is one of the most important things when preparing.

Because you will be dealing with moldy dishes, where molds can cause allergies and sickness, being equipped with safety devices can never hold you in a disadvantageous position. Start with wearing a mask that can filter the molds and their spore since those can start flying around once you move the dishes.

Also, afford yourself some well-fitted gloves, preferably rubber, for the bleach, later on, so you don’t burn your skin. It’s also a protection layer against rashes later on if you’re allergic to the molds.

Not only must you prepare and equip your safety devices but also prepare your cleaning tools. Having it ready beforehand can save you from creating a mess when you are cleaning the moldy dishes.

Also, prepare the area where you would be cleaning the dishes of molds. If you will be working on your kitchen sink, it is suggested to open a nearby window to allow the air to circulate in the room adequately so that mold spores and chemical vapors will not remain stagnant in your kitchen sink.

If you would like to take it outdoors, it can also be a good choice. A little bit of sunlight can also help prevent mold spores from spreading.

For your cleaning solution, you can try various types as long as it has mold-killing properties. One of the widely used cleaning solutions is bleach.

Be very careful when using bleach as a cleaning agent as it is a caustic fluid that can stain surfaces. Some of the natural agents that can help you in mold removal would be vinegar, baking soda, and your dishwashing agent, which can also prove helpful.

 

Step #2. Soak in solution

Saturate the moldy dishes with your cleaning solution. 

Use a spray bottle to apply your solution. Let the cleaning solution sit for some time before rinsing to effectively kill any remnants of the molds in your dishes. 

 

Step #3. Rinse and dry

After applying your solution and killing off the mold colony, you can now proceed to rinse your dishes and remove any remnants of the mold colony left. Rinse the plates with hot water first, then wash them with dishwashing soap again to effectively remove the cleaning solution you used.

After washing, rinse the dishes once again and wipe them dry or air dry. Besides your dishes, here’s how to prevent mold in the refrigerator to further your mold prevention.

 

Is it better to throw molded dishes?

Eating utensils, especially the ones we have at home, are rarely made disposable. You don’t really have to throw away your dishes just because some molds got into them.

While dishes play a prominent role in the safety of your meals, it does not usually become unusable anymore after molds.

As long as you clean such dishes properly, apply some solution that kills and prevents mold, and sanitize your things, you should be fine. If you want more reliable cleansing, you should heat your utensils after washing.

One of the best drying equipment is those that apply high pressure and temperature simultaneously, but be sure your utensils will survive without breaking into a hundred pieces.

Make sure you always sweep your house for unnoticed and unwashed dishes before they start catching mold spores and getting colonies. Here’s an article on what causes mold in apartments if you wish to maximize your mold purging.

 

Conclusion

Now that we have understood how to remove mold from dishes, it’s time you take action against the mold. Remember that as long as you keep the moisture and anything decomposable for the mold away, they will not spread inside your home.

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