The under sink cupboard gets a lot of use and is often full of cleaning products and kitchen waste. Because of the moisture from sink and dishwasher pipes, these spaces can be a breeding ground for bacteria, which can lead to a musty, mouldy smell. Luckily, there are ways you can prevent and remove this to keep your kitchen smelling fresh.
What causes the smell?
Even if you have a powerful extractor fan and open your windows while cooking, there is still a large amount of moisture created from things like boiling a kettle, having a pan on the hob and running the hot tap. This means the kitchen is a humid place, and when the humidity condenses, it looks for areas which are already damp, like under the sink. The musty smell is caused by any mould releasing chemical compounds as it grows.
Declutter your cupboard
Before you begin cleaning, empty the whole cupboard and throw out any cleaning products which are old or never used. Think about using clever storage like boxes for storing these and other items such as bin bags. If you use this cupboard for rubbish, have a look at installing a better system. For those looking at carrying out kitchen refurbishment Guildford, companies such as kitchen refurbishment Guildford can offer guidance.
Try natural
Believe it or not, you can use charcoal, as activated charcoal is a porous material which can absorb odours.
It can be tempting to turn to harsh chemical products to try and blitz clean under the sink, but natural homemade remedies are often just as effective. Baking soda has been used for thousands of years as a cleaning agent, as it neutralises nasty whiffs. You can also try a mix of white vinegar and lemon juice for a brilliant shine. Vinegar is great as it kills mould and when you pair it with lemon juice, it helps remove any musty smell. Both are acidic, which means any future bacteria growth is slowed down and the best thing is, they are completely non-toxic.