Mold spores are actually really common, but they really thrive in certain situations and rooms in the house. The kitchen and bathroom are two of these rooms, and mold in kitchen cabinets can be a big challenge. It doesn’t have to be terminal to your wood cabinets though. Mold in cabinets can be cleaned and removed, so it isn’t necessarily time to give up and get new cabinets!

Types of Mold You Can Find in Your Cabinets

Some of the molds that can be found in cabinets can even originate on the food that is kept within, but much of it is standard household mold varieties. There are around 10-12 types of mold that your home is likely to fall foul of.

If you want to know how to remove mold from wood cabinets might help you to work out what kinds of mold are growing.

Categories of Household Mold

Allergenic: These are the types of mold that cause allergic reactions or respiratory problems.

Pathogenic: Pathogenic mold can be a big issue for people already suffering from any kind of illness.

Toxigenic: This is also sometimes called toxic mold, and needs to be taken seriously. These molds produce substances that are actually toxic to humans and can be extremely dangerous.

What Causes Mold in Kitchen Cabinets?

The spores that cause mold are very common, but they need certain conditions if they are going to thrive. Commonly, mold in cabinets is because the conditions in the kitchen are perfect for mold to grow and expand. In the kitchen, this can be far worse than other rooms.

One of the main causes is moisture, and this can come in the form of moisture in the air. If you are cooking without using the extractor fan this can be a huge problem. There’s a lot of moisture that can get into the air and humidity that can cause mold.

Other forms of moisture can cause mold, for instance, if you have any leaking from pipes, even if it is tiny. Under-sink areas can be very commonly impacted by mold and cause a lot of trouble due to the moisture.

Other molds in kitchen cabinets can come from old food being left out, poor cleaning and more. If you put plates and dishes away without having them properly dried, the moisture in these can contribute to mold, which can use it to spread. If food is left for too long in the cabinets you can also experience mold that starts on these and then spreads to your cabinets. This is less common, but it is possible, so make sure you clean out the out of date food!

How to Remove Mold from Wood Cabinets?

So now that we understand more about how the mold originates, well focus on how to remove mold from wood cabinets. This means how to clean mold from wood or may even mean having to reface the cabinets or get them repaired rather than remove mold from wood cabinets. It depends on how bad the mold in the cabinets has become.

Remember that mold is not just something that doesn’t look very nice, it can be a genuine danger to you and those spending time in your kitchen.

While a bit of mold isn’t enough to justify calling in emergency services, it should definitely be high on your to-do list to clean the mold in kitchen cabinets, especially as food prep takes place in the kitchen.

Removing mold can be done with a deep clean if you reach it quickly enough. Bleach and specific mold removers can be used.remove mold from wood cabinets So how to get rid of mold using these products?

Fill up a bottle with a specific mold remover and cleaner. Spray all over where the mold is and use a brush rather than a cloth to clean the mold. You need to really scrub here, a little once-over isn’t going to be enough. A toothbrush might even be needed to get into the hard-to-reach areas.

Once you’ve done this, spray with a bleach solution all over to make sure fungus and bacteria, as well as mold in kitchen cabinets, is killed off. You need to prevent moisture though, so make sure you wipe this down afterward.

There are plenty of methods to remove mold, you don’t have to panic if there is just a small amount, but if things get out of hand it might be time to get some cabinet replacements during kitchen remodeling and make sure you avoid the same moisture issues getting to these new ones. It’s not worth taking any risks.

Your kitchen is probably one of the central hubs of your home, and you don’t want to have to stop your kids from going in there. It is also an area of the house that can become hazardous if you don’t put the right precautions in place. In this article, we’re looking at how you can make a kid-friendly kitchen when in the process of cabinet installs or by retrofitting child proof kitchen drawers and baby-proof cabinets to make sure you don’t have to worry about your kids getting into anything they shouldn’t.

What to Put In Upper Cabinets For Kids Safety

You should always put certain things in the upper cabinets. Even if you have installed child proof kitchen cabinets with cabinet locks, they’re not always 100% and your child might work out how to get around the lock. Curiosity might get the better of them. This is rare, but to be on the safe side you should put anything toxic or potentially harmful in an area kids cannot reach.

Bleach and cleaning products such as dishwasher tablets should be a top priority to put in a place kids would never be able to reach. No kid-friendly kitchen should have anything that a child could accidentally ingest within reach. Also, cutlery such as knives and anything sharp that could do child damage should be well out of reach.

Avoid Sharp Edges and Corners on Furniture

If you are looking to create an environment where your kids can walk around and you don’t have to worry about them banging their heads, try to make child-proof kitchen drawers, tables and cabinets with edges that won’t hurt too much if a child does bang their head.

Sharp edges are not something to mess around with. When you are getting cabinets installed, you can potentially even buy a certain design to ensure that the corners are not sharp for kids.

Use Skid-Proof Materials For Floors

You don’t want a kitchen that is like an ice rink for your kids. Adults tend to have developed better balance and awareness, so even a surface we wouldn’t slip on could be a hazard for little ones. Try to make sure that your surface isn’t one that can be a slip hazard. You may also want to consider putting a rug down to stop children from slipping around. You can also think about your child’s footwear and give them some slippers to wear in the house, but it is best to actually treat the surface of the floor first and foremost.

Unplug Electronic Devices Not In Use

This is a simple one, but it is easily forgotten. Kids can be very curious and if there’s something plugged in, they might want to experiment with it. Your toaster or microwave might become their new favorite plaything when you’re not looking. This is not something you should take any chances with. All electronics can cause some level of hazard, so unplug them for the best safety possible.

Repair Loose Cabinet Doors

Over time, cabinets can come loose or get damaged. This can cause a hazard for kids, and even make it easier for them to damage things. For the best baby-proof cabinets, you should get a cabinet repair company to ensure all of your cabinets are in the best condition they can be. Having child proof kitchen cabinets only works if the cabinets themselves are not broken.

Cabinet Safety For Kids

Cabinets might be an area that needs extra consideration. Cabinet safety is essential. Even if you move the items that are very dangerous out of your cabinets, you can still end up with issues. Kids will love making a mess or breaking things in your cabinets given half a chance.

Cabinet locks are a good way to keep kids out. These are something adults can bypass but most kids struggle with, so they add an extra layer of safety. There are multiple designs of catches and locks to stop kids getting in.

Also, think about the materials the cabinets are made out of. Kids’ curiosity means they might get up close to them and get any lacquer or inorganic materials on their hands, which they may then ingest.

Make Rules

Communication really is key in the world of parenting. As your kids get old enough to understand safety, make sure you set up rules. There should be clear boundaries as to what they can and can’t do in the kitchen.

Explain the areas that can be a hazard and make sure children know to stay away from the stove, not to play with anything in the kitchen and to avoid all of the hazards in a kitchen. Children should understand why these things are hazards, not just be told to stay away from them. Otherwise, they will still be curious.

More than just a storage space, cabinets can also function as an accent to add color and style to any room. And because they are functional and contribute to your home’s aesthetics, you make sure that it is properly maintained. You want to keep them looking immaculate and polished, just like when they were newly installed.

Aside from regular cleaning and sometimes even polishing, you should also check for the presence of any wood-eating bugs. It is an essential part of cabinet maintenance since insects that eat wood can destroy your cabinets. Find out what these harmful insects are, how to recognize and prevent infestation, and how to treat damaged cabinets.

Recognizing the Signs of Infestation

Small but terrible, wood-eating insects can destroy your cabinet and even reduce it to dust! They chew up the wood from inside out and weaken the structure of wooden cabinets. Over time, the structural strength of the cabinet will fail, and the cabinet may break down.

Checking for signs of infestation will allow you to catch the onset of invasion and stop it from spreading and causing considerable damage. The following signs indicate the presence of insects that eat wood:

• Exit holes in woods – These are tiny holes with a diameter of 1-2mm for the smaller beetles and 3-7mm for the larger beetles.
• Frass or bore dust – This is a fine, powdery substance composed mainly of feces and some wood fiber usually found below or on the infested wood.
• Tunnels in infested wood – These tunnels are marks left by beetle larva as they bore through the wood. The tunnels can measure up to 7.5 mm in diameter.
• The wood crumbles – It first appears around the edge and corners of the affected wood. The hollowing causes the crumbling of the wood due to the tunnels made by wood borers.
• Weak and damaged wood – The cabinet floor, panels, and door may begin to weaken and give way, especially when pressure is applied.
• Mud tubes on or around the cabinet – These are tunnels the size of a regular pencil made from soil and wood particles created by termites.
• Termite galleries – these are the hollow spaces that typically run parallel to the wood grains.
• The sound of scraping wood – Sometimes, when they are active, you can hear the beetle larva inside their tunnels as they scrape the wood.
• The presence of insects and insect eggs – The most apparent indication would be the presence of insects, whether dead or alive and insect eggs. Laid in clusters, the eggs are usually white or greyish depending on the type of insect. They are small, from 0.35mm-2mm long, and are typically found in crevices, joints, cracks, and exposed ends of the wood.

Types of Wood-Eating Bugs

Different kinds of wood eating bugs target different types of wood. Some insects like hardwoods, while others prefer pine; some insects don’t really eat the wood, while others actually do. But they all do damage just the same. Here are some common insects that eat wood:

1. Termites
   What are they – These are winged insects that create tunnels and eat wood. Two common types of termites that infest the wood are the drywood termite and the subterranean termite. The drywood termites infest from above the ground, usually dry area. Subterranean termites thrive on areas where moisture or humidity is present. They are common in places with warm or tropical climates. Signs of their presence – Mud tubes, termite galleries, and tunnels.
2. Wood-Boring Beetles
   What are they – Ranging from tiny (1/8 inch) to large (2 inches) in size, wood-boring beetles can be flat or round-headed with an antenna. Common types of wood-boring beetles include bark beetles, wood wasps, or long-horned beetles. Signs of their presence – Exit holes, bore dust, and tunnels.
3. Carpenter Ants
   What are they – Large ants that can be red, black, or yellow depending on the species. They may or may not have wings. They burrow and nest in softwood materials, like insulation board and rotting woods. Signs of their presence – Wood shavings around the area where they nest.
4. Horntails
   What are they – Large insect that resembles a wasp and has a long but rather harmless stinger. They usually target softwoods such as pine, spruce, or cedar. Signs of their presence – Large exit holes, around half an inch in size.
5. Carpenter moths
   What are they – These are highly-destructive pale and hairless wood-boring larva that lives up to three years. An adult carpenter moth has a thick body and mottled gray or brown wings, spanning about 2 inches. Signs of their presence – Exit holes and tunnels.

Infestation Treatment and Prevention

In worst cases, infestation treatment is best left to the professional pest control companies. But if caught early on, the infestation can be stopped and kept under control using the following methods:

• Use a commercial insecticide to kill bugs and larva. Spray or apply the product twice for the best results. Be sure to allow the first application to dry completely before putting the second application.
• You may use boric acid (borax) or diatomaceous earth to kill ants, termites, and beetles. You can apply the said powders directly to the cracks and crevices with the use of a powder duster.
• You can also sprinkle or inject poisoned bait. It works by attracting foraging insects, which will spread the poison back into their colony.

Of course, prevention is always better than cure. Keeping the area inside and around the cabinet clean and dry will help keep insects and bugs away. Spraying a liquid termite barrier can also help significantly by stopping the infestation before it could start.

Damaged wood cabinets can be replaced though it can be costly. For minimal damages, a cabinet repair will be sufficient. Being proactive in preventing wood-eating insects from doing damage to your cabinets will help avoid expensive replacements and pest control service.

If it’s time for a change in your kitchen, the cabinets could be due for some maintenance. A lot of people instantly think that once a cabinet is either worn or just outdated in terms of design, it is time to rip them out and start again. The truth is that there are a number of different options out there, and replacing cabinets is not the only choice you have. There are multiple ways you can give a fresh look to your kitchen and spruce up those worn cabinets.

Methods such as cabinet repairing, cabinet refinishing and cabinet refacing can all save you money on replacements, too. This is one of the many benefits of not having to totally replace. So what is the difference between refacing, refinishing and repairing? There are a lot of differences and you will need to match up your own circumstances and the state of your cabinets with the correct of these services. Which is best for you?

What is Cabinet Refacing?

Refacing is sometimes called “resurfacing”. It is when the cabinet’s framework is kept in place but materials get a new surface. For instance, the actual frame of the cabinet stays the same but you can put new laminate doors or front on the cabinets.

Pretty much every visible aspect of a set of cabinets can be replaced and refaced so this means you don’t have to worry about things not matching. All the new faces can allow for an updated look without the hassle of getting the cabinets totally changed.

So, what is cabinet refacing? Think of this as a facelift for your cabinets. Often, the outsides are the first thing to wear, and this means that you can be left with cabinets which don’t look great at all but are structurally sound internally. Refacing is the answer to this issue.

What is Cabinet Refinishing?

So if that’s what refacing is, what is cabinet refinishing? When can this be helpful?

Refinishing is different as it keeps the existing cabinets, including the exterior facing components which might be replaced if you get your cabinets refaced. Refinishing involves keeping the same wood (or other materials) but giving a new finish. This can include a different color, but often can just be a new stain or a fresh lacquer to protect the wood. This is great if you’ve invested a lot in great-looking cabinets.

The process usually involves sanding down the existing cabinets, or using chemicals to take the finish off. After this, the new finish is applied and you can have a totally new look as well as a freshly protected set of cabinets. This is often a cheaper option than the others, but works best if you have very high-quality cabinets to start with.

 

What is Cabinet Repairing?

There is a lot that can go wrong with cabinets over the years. They see a lot of use, and depending on the materials and build quality they can become damaged. This is where repair comes in. Specialist cabinet repair services can be called in to help deal with all manner of different issues.

For example, over the years, one of the hinges on your cabinets may break, so it makes sense to get these replaced if the signs of wear start to show. Cracks can appear in the wood, or the wood can get scratched. These are quite specific repairs and require a lot of skill.

Whereas cabinet refinishing and refacing will usually be done to a whole set of cabinets and the entire design of your kitchen or bathroom, repairs may need to be done to one specific area. You might get repairs done just for one specific scratch, for instance.

As you can see, these three services are similar in that they deal with cabinets, but are different in their nature. Only you will know exactly what you are looking for and the correct services you need. If you need a new look you will be going for a refinish or a reface, but if you need specific repairs to one area then think about cabinet repair services. Only when the actual interior of the cabinets get worn down should you think about total replacement.

In terms of locations for an outdoor kitchen, Las Vegas is one of the best places imaginable. The climate perfectly lends itself to cooking and grilling outdoors and there are a lot of benefits to doing so. Some you may not have even thought of before. In this post, we’re looking at six reasons for outdoor kitchen in Las Vegas and reviewing various outdoor kitchen designs.

What is an Outdoor Kitchen?

An outdoor kitchen is pretty self-explanatory in many ways, but some people are confused about what it means. Many of us have a grill, smoker or BBQ outside, but an outdoor kitchen design is different. Everything you can get indoors you can get outdoors too, you’ll just be changing your search to outdoor cabinets as opposed to indoor kitchen cabinets in Las Vegas.

An outdoor kitchen design will usually have some sort of grill, may have a cooktop, and can also have other installations such as an outdoor faucet. These areas are often incorporated into seating areas so that you can entertain guests while you are cooking your food. It’s similar to a grill or BBQ, only with more in terms of cooking space, surfaces and cabinets. All the functionality you would expect from an indoor kitchen can also be installed outdoors.

Saves on Utility Bills

Constantly cooling your kitchen and the rooms nearby is costly. Outdoor kitchens in Las Vegas are partially popular due to the fact that it is so hot indoors. Cooking inside can add to the temperature and mean you have to run an air conditioner all the time. Cooking outdoors can avoid this issue and in turn save on utility bills.

Some outdoor cookers may also run on fire which can cut the cost of running an electric cooker.

It keeps the smells outside

All that food and drink in our kitchens can quickly build up a smell, this is why we have extractor fans. Not all of the smells of cooking are wonderful, and you need to think about cleaning, too.

Smells can linger in the short term but also get ingrained within wood or other materials you’ve used in the kitchen, making them smell in the long term, too. Things like cabinets can soak up the smells overtime when indoors. Outdoor cabinets aren’t in confined spaces so this is a lot less likely. If you’ve ever looked into kitchen cabinet repair or the cabinet refinishing in Las Vegas cost then you’ll know it’s important to protect your cabinets rather than constantly replace them.

Great place to entertain

Outdoor kitchens in Las Vegas are a perfect place to entertain guests. Cookouts are part of the culture and whatever meal you’re cooking, doing it outside with your guests relaxing nearby is more enjoyable then slaving away in a kitchen indoors.

Easy to clean

Outdoor kitchen design requires a lot less maintenance than indoor and can be cleaned down with ease. You don’t need to worry so much about what is getting wet, for instance, so you can spray down outdoor cabinets and not have to worry too much.

You can also be liberal with cleaning materials, as you can use plenty of bleach and other cleaning products knowing it is a ventilated area.

Also, the footfall of the outdoor area is likely to be less. No muddy paws or feet coming through while you’re trying to clean the floor or surfaces.

Save Money on Restaurant Meals

It can be so tempting to eat out or order food in when it is hot. In Las Vegas, it is almost always hot! Nobody wants to spend time in a muggy kitchen. However, with an outdoor kitchen, you can enjoy the process of cooking again, saving you money on ordering food from restaurants. After all, what can be cozier than your own backyard patio with a custom build fire pit that you and your family can gather around?

Increases Value of Your Home

Outdoor kitchens in Las Vegas are very desirable and add a lot of extra functionality to your home. When the time comes to sell your home, people might be excited by the installation, and the fact you effectively have an extra outdoor room. This can increase the valuation you get for your home and ultimately the price you receive. Numerous studies have shown how paying close attention to the outdoor aspects of your home can increase the value and sellability of your home.