Tag: Mold on Food

3 Keys to Preventing Mold from Forming on Food

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preventing mold from forming on food

Let’s set a scenario: Some unexpected guests are over and you’re rummaging through your fridge and pantry looking for something to eat. You find some fruit that you’re hoping will suffice but when you look closely you realize something grey is growing on it. Is that how the peach in your hand is supposed to look? No. Then what is that stuff?

And then it hits you. The fruit in your hand has succumbed to mold.  

If you’re horrified by this scenario, you’re in the right place because the professionals at RestoPros have some keys to preventing mold from forming on food.

Mold forming on your food can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems. Some molds also produce toxic substances called mycotoxins that can make you sick. Left to grow, food mold can spread to other parts of the home and contaminate the air quality. So, learn how to stop mold where it starts with these easy tips.

Make Sure the Items You Buy Are Fresh

You can save yourself a lot of hassle by being a little more attentive when you’re buying your groceries. When you’re purchasing any non-packed items, like certain fruit, inspect them carefully. Make sure they are fresh, without any bruising and softness as these are signs of spoilage.

Some fruits such as raspberries and blackberries are in transparent packaging, so you can often check for food spoilage or mold. It only takes one moldy item to quickly contaminate the whole package, so it’s vital you do a quick scan before you purchase your food.

Clean Out Your Fridge Frequently

While most molds prefer humid, warm climates, mold can still grow in your refrigerator. Refrigerated food might decay and release moisture which can accumulate in your fridge. Some containers might also leak sauce and liquids, leading to the buildup of mold.

So, it’s important you clean out your fridge regularly and get rid of any items that have long expired or are already growing mold. When cleaning your fridge, try to use non-toxic cleaners to avoid any health hazards. You can either purchase these cleaners or go the DIY route. One of the most common DIY mold cleaning solutions can be made mixing baking soda or vinegar with water.

Store Items Correctly

By storing certain items in the right locations, you’ll be preventing mold from forming on food in addition to finding items easily! Here are some tips on where you should store your products:

  • Crisper bins in your refrigerator are for vegetables and fruits which need to be kept separately.
  • Top shelves have the most consistent temperature in the fridge so keep your dairy products, and ready-to-eat foods there. Bottom shelves have the coldest temperature, so store your meat and eggs in this part of the fridge.
  • Meat that isn’t going to be eaten for a few days should be kept in the freezer.
  • Keep bananas separated from other fruits and pull them apart to slow down the ripening process.
  • Canned goods like soup and tomato sauce that have already been opened should be emptied out into air-tight plastic containers and kept in the fridge.
  • Store your onions, potatoes and squash in a darker, cooler environment like your pantry.

By following these easy steps to prevent mold from forming on food, you’ll save money on groceries, improve food taste, and prevent the spread of mold throughout your home.

When to Call RestoPros for Mold Testing and Removal

Food mold isn’t anything to worry about if you dispose of it quickly and clean the surrounding area, but be aware that mold grows and spreads easily. Keep on the lookout for mold around your home, especially in the kitchen. If you notice any mold around your walls, floors, or ceiling, call RestoPros immediately for professional mold testing and remediation.

The professionals at RestoPros are happy to help you with any issues related to mold and provide services like mold remediation, mold testing and water damage restoration. To get in touch, call us at 855-587-3786 or schedule a service online!

How to Keep Food from Spoiling

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Keep Food from Spoiling

Food spoilage: it happens to everyone, and it can be complete mood killer, especially if you were hoping to impress friends and family with your from-scratch guacamole. Few things are more frustrating than reaching for an item in your refrigerator only to find that it’s inedible. While it’s impossible to preserve foods indefinitely, there are measures you can take to help ensure your groceries maintain freshness. Follow these three essential tips on how to keep food from spoiling.

  1. Set your refrigerator to the correct temperature.

Do you remember the last time you checked the temperature in your refrigerator? If not, it’s a good idea to peek at its current setting to make sure it’s not too warm. After all, bacteria thrive in warm temperatures. We recommend a setting of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Most refrigerators on the market today come equipped with a digital thermostat to allow for quick and easy adjusting. For older models that use a dial system, you can check the temperature with a meat thermometer. Follow this step-by-step guide from Do It Yourself on how to test the temperature.

  1. Store items in the right compartments.

Unfortunately, you can’t store your food just anywhere in the fridge and expect it to last as long as it should. Each storage bin in your refrigerator is there for a reason. Now’s a good time to take everything out, throw away what’s spoiled, and start fresh (pun intended!). Keep your food from spoiling with these storage tips:

  • Fruits and vegetables should go in the crisper bins. Place fruits in one and vegetables in the other. Separation is necessary because both require different humidity levels. Your vegetable drawer should have a higher humidity setting than the fruit drawer.
  • Raw meats, eggs and dairy products should go on the lower shelves because they are the coldest. Because raw meat contains bacteria that can spread, designate an area where only these are placed, and clean it regularly.
  • Store foods that don’t need to be cooked, like dips, leftovers, deli meats and drinks, on the upper shelves because these areas provide the most consistent temperatures.

  1. Know which items actually belong in the fridge.

Determining the best place in your kitchen to store produce and other perishable goods can be difficult. When in doubt, many people turn to their fridges because they think it can’t do any harm. Unfortunately, for some foods, the fridge actually speeds up the spoiling process. Not sure where exactly to store your groceries? We can help!

  • Keep tomatoes on the counter at room temperature, like you do bananas.
  • Onions, potatoes and squash prefer a darker, cooler environment with low moisture, like your pantry.
  • Avocados are the free spirits of produce. They can go either in the fridge or on the counter. If you’re not planning to use them for a few days, we recommend placing them in the fridge to slow down the ripening.
  • For peanut and other nut butters, it’s really up to you. If you go through a jar within a week, you can keep it in the pantry, but if it takes you a while to use it up, we recommend opting for the fridge.

If you’re tired of having to toss groceries week after week because they just won’t hold up, know that it doesn’t have to be that way. By following our simple tips on how to prevent spoiling, you will enjoy your food for longer periods, not to mention, you’ll save money on groceries too!

With more than 10 years of experience, consider RestoPros your go-to mold expert! For more information on our superior services, give us a call today at (855) 587–3786.