Although very rare and often a result of pure bad luck, your Veggie Saver produce bag can grow mould – it is a 100% natural product after all! But don’t worry, we’re here to provide you with the necessary tools to fight this battle and prevent it from happening in the future! Call us the mould busters, if you will. 😎
What are the causes of mould?
Rotting food is the most common source of refrigerator mould, but can occur even if you have a crystal clean fridge. Mould only needs moisture, air, a warm fridge temperature (above 4°C) and varying humidity levels to develop. A damp, dark environment is what mould loves the most, and fridges are dark most of the time!
Mould can also spread through the air. When mould spores form on food, they can travel via air circulation and onto your Veggie Saver. It can also spread through surface contact, so it’s important to clean contaminated surfaces as well!
Why is mould bad?
Mould can cause allergic reactions or respiratory problems for you or the people in your household. Certain kinds of moulds can produce poisonous mycotoxins that can make you sick or cause infections. It is for these reasons that we recommend you follow our three must-dos with your new Veggie Saver.
How do I know if it’s mould?
Veggie Saver is made from unseeded cotton. The little black cotton seeds that are scattered throughout the fabric can be mistaken for mould. Typically, the seeds are more visible when the Veggie Saver is damp and/or held up to the light.
If your Veggie Saver has black dots that are equally visible when the Veggie Saver is wet or dry, and is more blotchy or in one general area, then it would be highly possible that it would be mould.
What do I do if I have mould on my produce bag?
If the mould is slight and dealt with quickly, it can be eradicated! Follow these steps to remove:
- Remove your Veggie Saver produce bag from the fridge and apply clove oil or tea tree concentrate to the affected areas
- Hang to dry under sunlight
- Put the Veggie Saver on a cold machine wash cycle (30°C or less) with a natural or plant-based detergent
- Put your Veggie Saver through an extra rinse cycle with vinegar
- Repeat process if there are still some spots
Your Veggie Saver should be safe to continue using afterwards. It’s also important to do a thorough clean and wipe out of your fridge using white or apple cider vinegar (undiluted). Vinegar is your best friend when it comes to killing mould and bacteria!
If you notice a lot of mould on your produce bag, we highly recommend removing it from your fridge immediately and composting it, as larger mould spores are often difficult to kill. Make sure you clean your fridge thoroughly afterwards.
How do I prevent mould from growing in my fridge and on my produce bag?
Preventing mould from growing on your Veggie Saver and in your fridge is definitely better than having to clean them! Here’s a few tips for mould prevention:
- Wash your fruit and veggies (and dry them) before putting them inside your Veggie Saver
- Eat your produce before it goes bad
- Compost your food as soon as it starts to rot
- Clean your fridge with vinegar regularly (we recommend once a month)
- Set your fridge temperature to 1-4°C
- Wash your hands before handling your Veggie Saver
- Ensure all surfaces are clean before putting your Veggie Saver on them
If you’re uncertain about the condition of your Veggie Saver and would like additional advice, please feel free to get in touch with us here!
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