How to Remove Mold Under Sink Particle Board

Discovering mold under the sink particle board is one of the scariest things on earth for a homeowner. It’s a headache that has nothing to offer you except responsibilities to remove it. If you do not clean it, black mold under the sink particle board will create dangerous consequences including health hazards.

To have a clean and safe home, it is necessary to clean up things that are unsightly including black mold. However, mold growth under sink board is a very common thing. As it occurs in almost all bath and kitchen cabinets and under sink boards, getting rid of it has become easy.

The damp area under the sink always results in mold & mildew growth. Surprisingly, the mold affects fast under the sink spreading the whole area. Hence, immediate removal of the black mold from wooden cabinets is the only best solution to keep the house and its members safe and sound.

So, let’s get into the detail of how you can get rid of the gross mold under the sink particle board.

Reasons Why Mold Takes Place Under the Sink:

We have already mention mold growth is a common incident. It generally happens outdoors but can also be occurred indoors if there are any moisture issues. Areas, where there is high humidity or leaks of pipes, are the progenitor places of mold growth. Also, mold is intended to have a spore reproduction system. Hence, finding out the moisture problem and mold origin in a given area is a must.

If your sink leaks under the particle board, make sure you fix it and dry it within 2 to 3 days. Otherwise, it will give the mold enough time to establish and affect the whole area. Again, leakage under the sink is a very usual thing. But, if you ignore the problem, dampness will be created. Again, even if there is no leakage, there are chances the area under the sink particle board has a humidity of more than 60%. So, in places like this mold growth is obvious.

Again, many think mold only grows in wet or damp climates. But the fact is, if there moisture issues and food are available, mold growth is inevitable in any area. Unfortunately, these are the things that are served by the area under the sink. Weak air circulation also helps in increasing growth.

What Causes Water Leaks under the Sink:

This is the main reason for mold growth under the sink particle board. So, before you get yourself together to remove the mold, first find out where the water leaks. Yielding moisture, they provoke mold and mildew growth.

There are many sources under the sink that might also cause water leaks. It can occur from the water seepage or drain pipe under the sink or from a dishwasher pipe. The leak from the garbage disposal can also be a great source of mold growth. Even from the dampish and wet rags, mold can establish its residence.

As these are the generators of moisture, it is important to provide extra care to fix them. It will be of no help if you clean out the mold and mildew only without fixing the moisture and leak issues. Consequently, it will help to regrow the mold in the same place within a very few days.

3 Steps to Remove Black Mold Under Sink Particle Board:

Fortunately, to dispel mold under the sink, you won’t have to replace the whole particle board and cabinets. Only by taking some steps you can clean and prevent mold and mildew growth. Even a nasty-looking mold area can also be fixed without doing much. Just maintain the following process.

Required Equipment and Materials:

Before you start cleaning, it is important you collect all the necessary tools and equipment with you. The process will take certain materials without what complete removal of mold is not possible. So, we suggest you grab the tools written below.

• Mold cleaner or Oxygen Bleach
• Water
• Bucket
• Soap
• Brushes with tough bristle or sponges
• Spray bottle for Bleach Solution
• Eye protector
• Breathing Mask
• Gloves

These are the initial materials required for cleaning off the mold.

Cleaners or Solutions for Cleaning Off Mold & Mildew:

Cleaners are the main required material to clean off black mold under the sink. Hence, you need to select this material wisely so that it actually works on mold removal. You can try any one from the given options as a mold cleaner.

a) Oxygen Bleach:

Regarding the cleaning solution, regular bleach can also be used as long as the area is not made of stainless steel. Steel reacts with regular bleach. Hence, oxygen bleach will be helpful in this case.

b) Commercial Solutions:

 

However, to dispel invasive black mold growth, many mold cleaners have been created. To get rid of hard mold growth, these mold cleaners are great. Whereas normal bleach might produce discoloration, the best ready-made mold cleaner protects the color. Again, many commercial wood deck cleaners have made cleaning off mold easier.

These cleaners are specially made for sink particle boards. They contain oxygenated bleach. Hence, deep clean is ensured. They also open the particle board pores. Thus, it maximizes the stain absorption of the board. So, you always have the easy option if you are willing to pay.

c) Natural Solutions:

Nonetheless, many go for a natural solution for cleaning off the mold. Any natural ingredient that contains anti-microbial substances can help in disinfecting mold. You can use tea tree oil, vinegar, or seed extract from grapefruit. These natural elements also help in removing the mold smell.

3 Steps to Get Rid of Black Mold Under Kitchen Cabinets:

Now that you have all your tools with you, wear all the safety essentials. Also, grab the spray bottle to keep the solution. Use the bucket for keeping soapy water. Now, you are all set for the action.

First Step: Mold Infestation Observing:

This is the first step to demolish the mold completely. The area might be severely or mildly affected by the mold. You have to take measures according to the intensity of the mold growth. However, inspecting mold growth is not tough. You can get a suppressed smell from the place under your sink. It is a sign that there may be a potential black mold infestation that has taken place.

a. Take on Protective Gear:

This is the very first thing you need to do. When you are dealing with mold destruction, safety should be ensured. It won’t bring any help if you inhale the smell while doing the job. Generally, mold is considered non-toxic. But sometimes black mold could be toxic at times especially when it occupies a larger area. With a greenish-black color, the mold is risky for health.

Again, inhaling the strong smell of the cleaning solution can also affect your lungs. So, it is a strict rule to a wear dust mask. It will help you to avoid breathing while cleaning with the solution. Also, cover your body with enough suitable clothes. Wearing rubber gloves and eye protectors is also important. However, the work will be easier for you if you can manage enough ventilation.

b. Supervise the infested Field:

Many use the area under the sink particle board as a kitchen cabinet. Hence, they keep there many cleaning or other items. So, to inspect the affected area, all the items need to be removed. If any item or commodity also gets infested, replace it immediately. Throw the item putting it into a sealed plastic bag.

c. Recognize the Toxic Mold:

Recognizing toxic mold is important to run the operation successfully. If you do not have enough knowledge about it, you can simply take help from google. There you will find comparison pictures of toxic and non-toxic mold.

Toxic mold somewhat creates a different kind of strain. However, there are also kits available for mold testing. Using these testing kits, you can be sure of the toxicity of the moldy area.

Second Step: Mold Cleaning:

This the main step of the whole process. if you are all set with protective gear and have determined the infested area then finally it’s time for cleaning. However, Cleaning mold is tough until you get to know the following methods.

a) Prepare the Cleaning Solution:

With a proper solution, cleaning mold is easy. Hence, preparing a good cleaning solution is important. By mixing oxygen bleach and water in a 1:4 ratio respectively, you can make the solution. Or, you can use a commercial cleaner. Again, to have a natural solution to kill mold, you can mix tea tree oil, vinegar, and water together in a spray bottle and shake them well.

For your kind information, it is unwise to mix different cleaning items altogether. Now, whatever solution you are going to use pour it in a spray bottle.

b) Spray the Cleaner:

Now that your spray bottle contains the cleaning solution, spray it all over the infested area. When the mold gets in touch with the solution, it gets dampen. It will stop the airborne spores of mold as well. Spray properly so that it covers the whole area.

When you are done with spraying, let the solution or cleaner sit there for about an hour and more. By this time, the solution will react with the mold and kill it.

c) Scrub Off the Area with Sponge:

After one hour or more, clean off the mold using a sponge. Wait there, do not forget to soak the sponge in the soapy water before you get to scrub with it. To get rid of the residue the soapy water will help. Moreover, you can also use a rag or brush for this job.

While scrubbing, rinse off the rage or sponge you are using more often. Otherwise, the mold infestation will take place back to the areas where you are cleaning.

d) Dry the Moldy Area:

This part of the method is crucial. When cleaning is done, dry the place. For air drying, keep the doors of the cabinet open. It will take up to one hour to dry out the place. Before drying, do not place any item back in the area under the sink particle board.

Third Step: Keep Cleaning the Area:

After fixing the mold problem, continuous care should be taken of the area. Otherwise, again you will have to clean it off from the very beginning. Cleaning and drying the place under the sink should be done frequently.

Also, disinfect the whole area removing all the items. Unfortunately, particle boards are porous, hence cleaning is a bit tough. On the contrary, non-porous surfaces including metal, hard plastics, and glass, are easy to clean off. In total, once you fix the moldy area, you better take great care of the area.

Preventing Future Mold & Mildew Growth on wood Cabinets:

Prevention is always better than cure. To keep your home and kitchen or bathroom area always safe make sure you take proper measures to combat mold growth. You can take help from the following points.

a) Inhibitor Solutions:

Now that you know places under the sink might give rise to mold growth, you can use mold vanquisher or inhibitor solutions. These solutions mainly work as an additive. Hence, you can use it by mixing it with the cabinet paint. Also, you can use the additives to mix with other solutions as well. It will prevent mold and mildew growth.

b) Use Chemicals:

Also, there are chemicals available for stain blocking. Applying the chemicals on the particle board also prevents the future growth of mold.

c) Proper pipe building:

Again, ensuring a leakage-free pipe building with the sink can also help in preventing mold. In fact, this can be the ultimate solution to every mold problem.

d) Use a Dehumidifier:

Then again, as high humidity is also a major reason for mold outgrowth, you can use a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier can bring balanced humidity of below 40% in your room. An air conditioner can also do the same. Hence, using these devices you can restrain potential mold growth.

Now that you know, removing mold is an easy task, you might not ask for the help of professionals. But if the infested area is severe and scary, try to get some professionals to get the job done. Don’t wait for the situation when you need to replace the whole particle board. It will cost you more!

Is mold under the sink dangerous?

Answer: Though in most cases mold is not toxic yet, it can affect your health. It mainly affects people with asthma or allergies. An asthma patient will have severe problems if he or she smells the spores from mold. Again, the black mold is more toxic. Its exposure can tease or irritate your skin, eyes, throat, nose, and even lungs. If the mold comes in contact with your body’s skin, fungal skin problems may take place. So, getting rid of any kind of mold is important.

Last Updated on October 21, 2021 by Rogers Weber

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