Are you contemplating whether or not there is actual mold build-up in your freezer and refrigerator? Are you worried about the possible health risks that will result from such mold buildup?
Nevertheless, a freezer or a refrigerator can definitely be prone to mold however, it is not impossible to clean such molded areas.
Can mold grow in the freezer & refrigerator?
Mold can be seen in the freezer & refrigerator especially when the freezer or the refrigerator is not working properly or it is being closed and opened very frequently. Mold can also grow in the refrigerator and freezer if there are extra moisture and spoilt food.
It is not uncommon for your freezer and refrigerator to have moldy areas. Mold can grow anywhere if the temperature, humidity, and dampness are ideal or susceptible to mold growth.
In addition, rotten food, water spillage, excessive moisture are primary causes of mold growth in the freezer and refrigerator.
Mold spores can even grow if a refrigerator is unplugged for a long period of time and can also grow from expired food items and from dairy products.
Can black mold grow in the refrigerator?
A refrigerator can be prone to any kind of mold and one of the harmful ones is called black mold which produces toxic compounds such as mycotoxins.
In addition, black mold in refrigerators can cause severe health issues like sinus problems, coughing, asthma, allergies and can be especially harmful to pregnant women, people with asthma, people with low immune systems, and children.
Can black mold grow in the freezer?
Although it is not that common for black mold to grow in your freezer, however, it is not impossible as all molds need to grow is moisture.
In addition, if the freezer is not airtight and there is frequent opening and closing of the freezer door then it paves way for moisture which in turn lets mold grow.
However, in a normal air-tight freezer, moisture is sucked out by the coil hence, black mold cannot grow.
How long does it take mold to grow in the refrigerator?
It does not take long for mold to grow in the refrigerator if the environment is susceptible to the growth of it.
In addition, if the humidity, temperature, and moisture are susceptible to mold growth, then it will only take one or two days for the mold to properly grow in the refrigerator.
How does a refrigerator get mold?
There are so many different reasons why a refrigerator will get mold. One of the most important reasons is because of rotten and spoilt food. Spoilt or rotten food can cause the mold to grow faster.
In addition, dairy products and baked foods are also susceptible to mold. Moreover, if a refrigerator is not working properly or if a refrigerator is switched off for a longer period of time, then it is likely to get mold inside the refrigerator.
How can mold grow on food in the freezer?
One of the things that mold needs to grow is moisture. If a freezer is not working properly or if the freezer is being open and closed very often, chances are your freezer will grow mold on food.
In addition, if meat is not stored properly and if there is moisture or water in the meat, then it is likely for mold to grow on food.
How to stop mold from growing in your fridge?
Having molds grow inside your fridge can be really alarming as it can cause many health risks. However, being knowledgeable about the ways of preventing mold from growing can really help you to sway all the possible health risks.
Clean Thoroughly:
To stop mold from growing in your fridge, you just need to clean your fridge thoroughly and you must maintain a routine of cleaning once every three or four months.
In addition, you need to meticulously clean all the nooks and corners of your fridge so that the potential germs can be eradicated.
Use Baking Soda:
Another effective way of getting rid of mold in the fridge is by putting a packet of baking soda in the fridge. This will help to remove any bad odors from the fridge which in turn will help to stop mold from growing inside of your fridge.
In addition, you also need to be mindful of the fact that you need to change the packet of baking soda frequently.
Seal Containers Tightly:
You have to make sure that the lids of the containers where you store food are closed or sealed tightly when placed in the fridge.
In addition, when you store any kind of meat in the fridge, then you should definitely put it in a plastic or glass container, or in plastic bags and you also need to remove as much air as possible.
This will help to stop mold from growing in your food which in turn will help to stop molds from creeping into your fridge.
Try to Keep the Fridge Dry:
You always need to keep your fridge dry because moisture can cause mold to grow in your fridge. Moreover, if there is any spillage or water anywhere in the fridge, it is a must to remove water from every compartment to stop mold from growing.
How to clean heavy mold out of a freezer & refrigerator?
It is very much necessary to clean out all the mold as mold can ve very dangerous for you. Mold can cause asthma and many other respiratory diseases to grow and affect the lungs. Therefore, it is mandatory to clean all the heavy mold out of the refrigerator and freezer.
Unplug the Freezer and Refrigerator:
It is very much important to unplug the freezer and refrigerator so that the temperature can go down and ice inside of the freezer or refrigerator can melt.
Remove Everything:
After unplugging the freezer and refrigerator, you need to remove all the containers and food from it so that there is nothing in your way of cleaning. Moreover, you need to get rid of all the expired and moldy food.
Clean the Moisture:
After removing all the containers of food from the fridge and defrosting the freezer and refrigerator, you then need to place a washcloth so that the water can be soaked in that. You also need to absorb all the water with a sponge.
Clean the Molded Areas:
It is very important to wear gloves before starting the procedure of cleaning. You first have to spray some cleaning solution onto the molded areas.
In addition, you can use a solution which will be a mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and soapy water with which you will spray the molded areas.
After that, you need to scrub that sprayed area with warm and soapy water which will very effectively clean out all the heavy mold from the freezer and refrigerator. Furthermore, you can take the removable parts to a sink and thoroughly rinse them under the tap water.
Reorganize:
After you are done with the cleaning, you then need to clean all the water with a dry microfiber cloth and you also need to reorganize all the shelves and compartments back in the fridge.
Can mold grow in the freezer on food?
Mold can not usually grow in the freezer because of the freezing temperature however, there are exceptions to this rule.
In addition, if the freezer is in such a setting where the temperature is set to too cold, chances are the freezer will develop ice build-up on the upper side of the freezer.
This will not let the freezer door close properly which in turn will let air and moisture on food which will eventually let mold grow on the food in the freezer.
Can mold grow in frozen temperatures?
Mold needs warm temperature, moisture or dampness, and organic materials for survival. In that sense, they will not be able to live actively in a frozen temperature. Nevertheless, they can revive again after the frozen temperature has passed.
In addition, mold which is a fungal microorganism will let the spores grow again once the temperature, humidity, and moisture are preferable for them.
Does a freezer terminate mold?
A freezer can not terminate any mold. Freezing temperature or below freezing temperature will never terminate mold.
In addition, mold in freezing temperature will go dormant but it will not completely be gone rather mold awaits the right amount of humidity level, and the temperature to rise again to colonize with full force.
In addition, mold spores will never actually disappear unless and until you actively try to remove them from your freezer.
Final thoughts:
To sum up, mold can definitely grow in your freezer and refrigerator through spillage, rotten food, excess moisture, rise in temperature, unplugged refrigerators, and expired food. Nevertheless, you can very easily get rid of mold and stop its growth with proper measures and treatments.