Green mould in kitchen cabinets: why it happens and what to do

Why cupboards are a mould hotspot

Kitchen cabinets combine everything mould loves: enclosed spaces with no airflow, humidity from cooking and washing up, and occasionally a hidden leak. The under-sink cupboard is the most common offender, but any closed unit against an external wall can develop green or black growth.

The usual causes

Three things cause most cabinet mould: a slow plumbing leak under the sink keeping the base wet; condensation on the inside of a cupboard sitting against a cold external wall; and general kitchen humidity with nowhere to escape. Storing anything slightly damp inside makes it worse.

How to remove it safely

Empty the cupboard, throw away any porous items that are mouldy (cardboard packaging especially), and check the base and back for softness or water staining. Ventilate the space. For light surface mould on the cabinet itself, an anti-microbial clean helps — but if the mould keeps returning or the unit is damp underneath, there's a moisture source that needs fixing first.

Stopping it coming back

Once it's clean, keep the cupboard dry: fix any leak, leave doors open periodically to air it, don't store damp items, and consider a moisture absorber inside. If it's condensation on a cold external wall, the wall itself may need attention. Where it keeps returning despite this, mould treatment and finding the moisture source is the answer — and for stubborn cases, professional mould removal of contaminated material.

Green mould keeps returning in your kitchen? book a €75 inspection and we'll find the source, or call +357 96 738151.