Fighting Mold in the Lunchroom Fridge

7/12/2018 (Permalink)

Once you remove the fridge mold, it should be safe to return new food to the unit.

Company lunchrooms often have a fridge full of containers of unknown casseroles, vegetables, and desserts. These same refrigerators are often receptacles for leftover lunches of Chinese food, overlooked yogurt cartons, and curdled cream for coffee. The problem with forgotten food in the communal icebox is that fridge mold can develop. Sadly, with fungus growing inside the fridge, a yeasty, mold smell can also develop and spread into the breakroom. The following steps can help you remove the mold once it appears in the lunchroom refrigerator.

1. Empty the fridge. Toss all the containers, bags, and boxes of food into the garbage because they are probably contaminated with mold spores. If there is more than one fridge in the office, transfer frozen and perishable food items until cleanup is complete.

2. Make or purchase a mold remover. If you are making the cleaning solution, try mixing two cups of warm water and one cup of white vinegar. Mix ingredients in a spray bottle. Warning: Do not use bleach because it is too abrasive on the inside walls of the refrigerator.

3. Scrub inside the icebox and remove the fridge mold. After donning a safety mask, spray the inside walls and shelves of the refrigerator. Spray any mold colonies liberally. Remove the mold and cleaning spray with a wet cloth or sponge. If mold is severe, contact a mold removal team in Johnson City, TN, to eliminate the fungus.

4. Reapply the cleaning solution to the inside of the fridge. Although it may appear the mold is gone, spores can easily hide in plain sight. By cleaning all surfaces a second time, you can be sure to remove the spores and the mold smell as you continue disinfecting the fridge.

Once you remove the fridge mold, it should be safe to return new food to the unit. However, to make sure the mold doesn’t return, check for food that needs to be discarded on a weekly basis. By rotating the food inside the refrigerator, you can make sure your lunchroom is mold free. For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROwashingtoncountytn.com/.