Applying the Highest Standards: Keeping Your Cold Room Clean and Mould-Free

A cold room is a vital component of any restaurant or food business’s operation. The last thing you want to happen is mould growth on the walls or ceiling of your cold room. And you certainly don’t want that to spread to the food. If your cold room is already prone to mould growth, here are some simple things you can do to remove it. If it’s not, here are some simple ways in which you can prevent mould growth from ever starting.

Why Does Mould Grow?

Mould growth is the result of moisture in the air. This is generally caused by warmer air entering the cold room and forming condensation on the walls. This then allows mould to grow. One of the causes of this might be cracked or damaged sealing around the door, which is allowing warm, humid air into the cold room.

How Do You Prevent It?

The best way to manage a mould problem in your cool room is to stop it from ever starting. To do that make sure you:

• Inspect It: Make sure your cold room has a tight seal and is air tight. Look closely to see if there are any leaks or cracks in the insulation that could cause mould to develop.
• Vent It: Make sure your cool room has a vent to allow humid air to escape and keep cold air circulating.
• Keep It Clean: Avoid leaving food in there that is past its "use by" date. Once mould spores develop, it can be hard to stop them from spreading.
• Keep It Paper Free: If possible, avoid storing paper or cardboard in your cold room as it can absorb moisture and often attract mould. Move fruit and veggies from cardboard boxes into plastic crates instead to keep them fresher longer.
• Watch for Leaks: Repair any leaks as soon as they appear and conduct regularly scheduled maintenance to ensure optimal operation.
• Avoid Wood: If possible, avoid using shelving made of wood, as this will absorb moisture as well.

How Do You Remove Mould?

If it’s too late and you already have mould regularly developing in your cold room, you’ll need to give it a thorough cleaning to make sure all the mould spores are eradicated. Here's how: 

• Check and Remove All Items with Mould. You’ll need to examine everything carefully to make sure you’re not returning items with mould growth that will spread. When in doubt, chuck it.
• Wipe It Down: Clean all surfaces, shelves, walls and ceiling with an appropriate chemical solution, or warm water and baking soda. Use an abrasive scrubber rather than a cloth to ensure that all spills and debris are removed from all surfaces.
• Vacuum: Use a vacuum to clear the compressor of any dust build up that might be contributing to your cool room running inefficiently.

Consider Hiring a Professional

Mould spores can become airborne and will contaminate the whole cold room system if you’re not careful. Hiring a professional to clean out your cold room will ensure that all the mould is gone and is much less likely to return. A professional will also be able to properly clean out or replace the seals around your cold room door, as well as clean the compressor and internal components effectively.

Mould can be dangerous to your health. In fact, many people are allergic to mould spores. And, in large quantities, it will make almost anyone sick. The last thing you want is your customers and staff getting ill. Fortunately, with the right care or professional help, removing mould can be relatively painless and straightforward. If you stay vigilant and keep things clean, it’s a simple task to prevent mould from ever forming.

References: Image 1