Natural Ways to Clean Moldy Dishes

Finding mold anywhere in the home can be a recipe for disaster – so finding moldy dishes can certainly feel like all is lost. The good news, however, is that it can be very quick and easy to rid yourself of mold on dishes. Read on to find out how to clean moldy dishes and stop nasty fungus in its tracks – without adding more harsh chemicals to your kitchen.

Why are Moldy Dishes So Bad?

While mold on the walls and in the foundations of your house are bad due to the risk of breathing in the fungus, having mold on your dishes can also lead to a vast array of different illnesses. Contact with skin can cause rashes, while ingestion will likely cause gastrointestinal distress, such as vomiting and diarrhea.

If you’re allergic to mold, these symptoms can worsen considerably, including sore and irritated eyes, nose, throat and airways, and leave you needing life-saving help. Meanwhile, those with compromised immune systems, such as vulnerable adults and babies, are likely to become extremely unwell

How To Wash Mold Off Dishes

Finding you have mold on dishes might fill you with dread and leave you wondering about yours – or your loved ones – cleaning abilities but it’s important to note that mold can grow anywhere. Once settled, mold spores can grow within as little as 24 hours, so learning how to clean moldy dishes might not be as terrible as one might initially think.

Before cleaning any mold, however, it’s important that you’re prepared – especially if the mold growth is particularly bad. While this still isn’t a cause to immediately throw out all of your pots, pans, and cookware, you should still take precautions.

Open your window before beginning and always wear suitable gloves before scrubbing at mold. Protective eyewear and a mouth mask are also ideal, especially if you have a large number of moldy dishes to get through.

Clean Moldy Dishes with Hydrogen Peroxide

Effervescent and therefore perfect for shifting deep-seated mold that clings on to any cracks and breaks in the surface, cleaning with hydrogen peroxide is also handy for those older plates and dishes that aren’t moldy but may hold onto bacteria through their porous materials or similar.

To clean the mold on dishes off your beloved collections, simply pour 3% hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle and go to town. Let the hydrogen peroxide sit on the dishes for about 15 minutes, if there is a lot to clean up or there is few days’ worth of growth on them, before washing off using warm water and cleaning as normal.

Clean Moldy Dishes with Baking Soda

A great option that is completely safe, cleaning moldy dishes with baking soda is a great choice. Especially as it will also soak up any odors or stains that may have built up over the years, at the same time.

Simply mix a quarter tablespoon of baking soda with a spray bottle near-full of water (roughly 16 oz) and shake thoroughly until the mixture has completely dissolved. Spray liberally across your dishes and let sit for about ten minutes.

Next, take a scrubbing brush and give your dishes a good scrub. If you still aren’t convinced, you can even spray over the dishes again and let them surface dry, which will help get rid of any residual staining and remove any nasty odors. Don’t forget to wash your dishes as normal, once you have completely washed away all of the mold on your dishes.

Clean Moldy Dishes with White Vinegar

White vinegar is a hugely popular way of cleaning up your kitchen and shifting any mold on dishes is a breeze for this acidic liquid. Cheap and easy to source, this may be your favorite way of cleaning away mold from hereon out.

To use, simply pour into a bowl and allow your dishes to soak, or add to a spray bottle (without diluting the white vinegar) and spray liberally over your dishes. Once you’re satisfied that the mold has been removed, simply wash your dishes as normal.

For tougher build-ups of mold on dishes, you can leave the vinegar to soak for around an hour. Once the time is up, take a scrubbing brush to your dishes to shift the last of the stains and fungus.

Of course, the best way to get rid of mold and mildew on your dishes is a combination of any of these three options. We recommend hydrogen peroxide for the toughest of stains, followed by a spritz with white vinegar, to get your dishes sparkling like new.

What Kills Mold And Mildew

Learning what does and doesn’t kill mold and mildew is one of the most important parts of learning how to control these nasty fungi. Here, we discuss some of the most common all-natural household cleaning products and discuss how they can help rid you of mold on dishes.

Does Vinegar Kill Mold?

Vinegar is a fantastic, natural cleaning product that can be used almost anywhere in the home. It can help fight bacteria and germs, and it certainly works on most molds. Indeed, white vinegar can kill up to 82% of known molds.

Because it is naturally acidic, white vinegar does a great job of ridding mold on its own. That said, it can also be combined with other, chemical products to help make those products even more effective than the chemical product might be, on its own.

Does Hydrogen Peroxide Kill Mold?

Hydrogen peroxide is anti-fungal (as well as anti-bacterial and anti-viral) and is therefore ideal for killing mold around the home. Another acid, it is safer to use than chlorine bleach but works better at getting mold out of porous surfaces, such as the grouting in your bathroom tile and, of course, your moldy dishes.

Does Baking Soda Kill Mold?

Another great effervescent option that does a fantastic job of getting mold out of porous surfaces such as the mold on dishes, is baking soda. Safe to use around the family and pets, baking soda is an alkaline, so it’s best used in a simple water solution (using with acid will simply neutralize the pH and therefore the cleaning properties).

To Wrap It Up

Mold can quickly grow on dishes left unwashed, creating an unsanitary and unappetizing situation. With the right cleaning methods, however, it is possible to remove mold and salvage your dishes.

Diligence in washing dishes regularly is ultimately the best way to prevent mold growth. But if it does occur, you now have the knowledge to tackle it head-on and reclaim your kitchenware — naturally!