Check Your Fridge: This Common Item Can Breed Mold, Experts Warn

Food stored improperly or for extended periods can develop mold, posing health risks. Factors like humidity, heat, and poor ventilation encourage fungal growth, highlighting the importance of careful food storage and checking expiration dates.

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Mold spores can spread through the air, so regular checks in one specific area of the refrigerator are key to avoiding a bigger problem.

While countertops and floors are regularly cleaned, a often-overlooked area in the refrigerator can harbor mold spores. Melissa Kilcoyne, business development manager at Virtual College, warns that opened spices, which should be refrigerated, can become breeding grounds for mold if not used for months. She recommends cleaning them every few months to prevent airborne spore spread.

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Most spices that are not opened can be stored at room temperature in a cupboard, but once they are opened, they should always be kept in the refrigerator.

Beyond the refrigerator, mold can thrive in kitchen tile grout due to moisture buildup. John Klee, an expert from Big Bathroom Shop, suggests using hydrogen peroxide to tackle stubborn grout stains and mold. For alternative cleaning, a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can be applied, scrubbed, and then rinsed with warm water.

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Make sure to clean them every few months to ensure they are not producing mold spores that spread through the air.