How to Keep Mold Out of an Airtight Dog Food Container

Dog ownership comes with many responsibilities, including training, caring for and feeding. Feeding your dog a healthy and nutritious diet is important to help your dog have a long and healthy life. Storing dog food in airtight and dry containers can prevent dangerous bacteria from forming. Mold is a danger in every household, as mold spores can grow on just about any surface--including on the inside of a plastic container used for storing dry dog food. If mold forms, clean the container immediately and discard any dry dog food that is stored in the container; even if you can't see it, mold could be spreading quickly all over your dog's food.

Things You'll Need

  • Dish detergent
  • Hot water
  • 1/2 cup household bleach
Show More

Instructions

  1. Removing Mold

    • 1

      Fill a kitchen sink with hot water. Use a bathtub if the food container is too big to fit in the sink. Add dish detergent to the hot water.

    • 2

      Submerge the container in hot water. Scrub the mold out with a stiff plastic brush.

    • 3

      Rinse with clean water. Unplug sink or bathtub to let the water run out.

    • 4

      Mix 1/2 cup of household bleach with 1 gallon of water. Pour the bleach solution in the container. Add enough water to fill the container.

    • 5

      Allow the bleach solution to sit in the container for 15 minutes. Then dump out the bleach in a bathtub and rinse the container with clean water.

    Preventing Mold

    • 6

      Dry the food container with paper towels to remove excess water.

    • 7

      Place the food container in a sunny and dry spot to completely air-dry.

    • 8

      Turn on a fan and point it inside the food container.

    • 9

      Run the fan for at least 20 minutes so that a dry environment is created.

    • 10

      Place a plastic bag (grocery bag or a trash bag will work) inside the food container. Pour dog food into the plastic bag and not directly into the container.

    Food And Container Storage

    • 11

      Throw away dog food that gets wet. Remove wet food from the container, clean the plastic and dry, before placing dry dog food in it.

    • 12

      Pour a new bag of dog food only once the current batch is completely eaten. Do not mix old and new dog food.

    • 13

      Store the container in a dry and cool place--not in the kitchen, which is a hot and humid environment.

    • 14

      Keep the container out of sunlight.

    • 15

      Keep the lid shut. Close the lid so that it "snaps" and an airtight seal is formed.