How to Stop a Moldy Lunchbox
If you’re the parent of a school-aged kiddo, or remember from your own childhood experience, you know how gross that rubber gasket on a lunchbox can be. Nearly impossible to clean, filled with unexplainable gunk, and stinky, it can have you buying lunchbox after lunchbox all school year long. Mold is dangerous and doesn’t need to be growing on your child’s lunchbox. If mold is a huge struggle for you, keep reading for tips on how to stop a moldy lunchbox and much safer, mold-free alternatives that will just save you the literal headache altogether.
Is Mold Your Biggest Lunchbox Struggle?
Lunchboxes aren’t all created equal. Many lunchbox brands, even the most popular ones, can grow mold in little tiny crevices. Trapped moisture, lingering smells, and nasty gunk pile up and can cause some serious health issues.
Stop ignoring the gunk!
Here’s what that gunk actually is:
Molds are microscopic fungi that live on plant or animal matter. No one knows how many species of fungi exist, but estimates range from tens of thousands to perhaps 300,000 or more. Most are filamentous (threadlike) organisms, and the production of spores is characteristic of fungi in general. These spores can be transported by air, water, or insects.
Unlike bacteria that are one-celled, molds are made of many cells and can sometimes be seen with the naked eye. Under a microscope, they look like skinny mushrooms. In many molds, the body consists of:
- root threads that invade the food it lives on,
- a stalk rising above the food, and
- spores that form at the ends of the stalks.
The spores give mold the color you see. When airborne, the spores spread the mold from place to place like dandelion seeds blowing across a meadow.
And, YES, some molds cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems. And a few molds, in the right conditions, produce "mycotoxins," poisonous substances that can make you sick.
[source: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/molds-food-are-they-dangerous ]
Cleaning a Moldy Lunchbox
If your child is obsessed with their mold-prone lunchbox, here is how to clean it and keep it that way—You will need to do this after every use to ensure mold does not grow:
- Create a vinegar solution with equal parts vinegar and water, or a bleach solution with 1 tablespoon of bleach for every gallon of water
- Let it soak for at least 10 minutes
- Use a gentle brush (not a sponge) to clean the moldy areas
- Rinse thoroughly
- The most important part: Dry completely using a clean rag or paper towel in a well-ventilated area and check on it frequently during the drying process to ensure no moisture is left
Worry-Free, Mold-Free Lunchbox Options
Does this seem like too much work? We get it. That’s why we created some worry-free options for you. Our Stainless Divided Lunchbox and Flex&Lock Kids Flexbox Set are easy to use, even down to the youngest member of your family.
Stainless Divided Lunchbox
Truly leakproof lunchboxes that even a toddler can open are here!
Made in three different sizes, you and your children can enjoy even their messiest favorite meal without worry.
The original Innobaby Stainless Steel Container is made of the highest quality, food-grade 304 stainless steel (18/10 stainless) in South Korea. This product is nontoxic, BPA-free, phthalate-free, PVC, and lead-free.
Easy enough for a toddler to snap open or closed, but great enough for adults to use, too!
The double wall design means food stays warm or cold longer than traditional snack containers or sandwich bags (2 times longer!) The removable plastic outer layer also doubles as a protective shell to keep little hands safe from extreme temperatures.
An extra bonus? The removable divider allows you to customize your lunch without being confined to predetermined lunchbox sections. Use it down the middle, off to the side, or not at all!
FLEX&LOCK KIDS FlexBox Set
This lunchbox has NO RUBBER GASKET and it is also TOTALLY LEAKPROOF!
Made with Platinum Silicone, this material does not require plasticizers for its pliability. It's pure and heat resistant, so you can stop worrying about chemicals leaching into food when warming food. It also allows for leak-proof protection without the need for rubber seals, thanks to a 2-in-1 silicone plate that doubles as a leakproof seal.
Pack your fruits, vegetables, dips, pastas, and more without worrying about leaks!
It is also nontoxic and super safe for kids, made with heat-resistant & BPA-Free platinum grade silicone, which is a step above food-grade!
Innobaby Din Din Smart Stainless Divided Platter with Sectional Lid
Stainless steel is an ideal material for lunchboxes. It does not stain, harbor odors, rust, or crack. That’s why we love our Din Din Smart platter so much!
The Innobaby Bus Platter is made of the highest quality, food-grade 304 stainless steel (18/10 stainless) in South Korea. This product is nontoxic, BPA-free, Phthalate-free, PVC, and lead-free.
And, YES, the lid really keeps food in place while on the go! The slim design allows you to prep, stack, and pack easily in your fridge, backpacks, and coolers without taking up too much space, like most clunky lunchboxes do.
It is also perfect for small toddlers and beginning self-feeders with smaller compartments and lots of areas to add new foods to try as well as familiar foods they love.
For more great family products you don’t have to worry about, visit us at Innobaby.com!