Kitchen Moisture Control & Kitchen Mold Prevention for New Orleans Homes

Nobody wants a moldy kitchen. Let’s take a closer look at some good maintenance habits that will help to keep your kitchen dry and mold-free.

• Keep Your Eyes Peeled for Leaks – A majority of your kitchen is connected to a water source. The kitchen sink, refrigerator lines, ice machine, dishwasher, and water pipes are all connected to a water source. If any water lines or plumbing are harmed, it could result in a significant leak, flooding, water damage, and mold growth. Homeowners in New Orleans should check their lines and plumbing on a regular basis to ensure that they are in good working order and that they are draining properly. If you find any problems, fix them as soon
• Humidity Control – Mold growth is exacerbated by high humidity. Humidity control is a key part of mold prevention is keeping indoor humidity levels below 50%. This should really be applied to every area of the house, not just the kitchen. The kitchen generates a lot of moisture, which contributes a great deal to the relative humidity levels -- from cooking to cleaning and everything in between. When cooking, always use exhaust fans to ensure that any warm, moist air is evacuated outdoors to reduce humidity. Moist air is most effectively circulated out of the kitchen by ensuring there is sufficient ventilation. Open your windows and doors as much as possible to allow air to circulate.
• Dry surfaces, dishes and other wet items immediately – When doing the dishes or cleaning the kitchen, take the time to make sure all surfaces are completely dry afterwards. Water can find its way into narrow crevices and provide enough moisture for mold to thrive. Wipe up spills as soon as possible to prevent moisture from seeping into any nooks and crannies. Check behind the refrigerator, behind cabinets, under the sink, under the stove, and other hidden locations when cleaning your flooring. Make sure all dishes are thoroughly dried before storing them away in cabinets.
• Routine Cleaning – Mold feeds on decomposing organic materials such as dirt, dust, leftover food, and so on. Taking the time to keep your kitchen clean will help to eliminate a mold food source and minimize the chances of mold growth. It can be as basic as emptying the trash on a regular basis, quickly doing the dishes, and cleaning your appliances. If you keep your kitchen to a minimum, you will save money.
• Declutter & Organize – Clutter restricts air flow and air circulation which will allow the buildup of warm, moist air. During your routine cleanings, you should declutter your kitchen to optimize air circulation and organize the space increase air flow, so humid air does not remain stagnant. An organized kitchen with minimal clutter is also much easier to clean which will make it easier to keep up with your other maintenance tasks.
• Appliance Maintenance – All of your appliances will run at optimum capacity if they are checked on a regular basis. Appliances that aren't working properly are more likely to break down and cause problems like leakage.