The Clever Hack That Can Help Protect Kitchen Cabinets From Mold & Mildew

If you've ever opened a kitchen cabinet and noticed a musty smell wafting out or spotted bumps lining the bottom, chances are you've got mold, mildew, or water damage. This can result from a plumbing leak, humidity, or even poor ventilation. Fortunately, it is possible to prevent this kind of damage and, now with a clever hack from Tiktok user @twinhomeexperts, it's easier than ever to create a waterproof barrier that protects your cabinets from water damage and prevents mold. All you need is a few spare hours and a trip to your local home improvement store. To do this hack, pick up a 48 x 96 inch polywall panel, a 8 foot-long piece of PVC lattice to use as a trim, and all-purpose construction adhesive, all of which you can purchase for around $45. 

Before you get started, carefully check the cabinet you want to work in for mold or mildew. This hack will not prevent mold if it's already present. Instead, it may actually create more moisture, enabling the mold to grow and spread. So first, make sure to inspect for mold and properly get rid of it before you get started.

First, measure the cabinet space lengthwise and widthwise. We also recommend measuring your cabinet walls, especially if they sustained water damage, to ensure all pieces lay flat. Keep in mind that the polywall will line the floor of the cabinet while the lattice will trim the walls, adding extra water protection in case of a water leak. Then measure and cut the polywall panel and lattice to size. Set aside. Use your construction adhesive to line the edges of the cabinet where the floor meets the walls, smoothing down any glue beads. Then swirl a generous amount of adhesive across the cabinet floor. Carefully lay the cut base piece of polywall on the bottom of the cabinet, pressing firmly to adhere. Once it is secured, apply adhesive to the back of the lattice trim pieces, position in place, and press. 

Depending on your adhesive, this new waterproof barrier will take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours to cure, so prop the cabinet doors open for ventilation and try to avoid getting the area wet. Once your glue has fully dried, your cabinet base is now waterproof! If you would like extra mold prevention, consider adding a water detector, like the fansitc Water Leak Detector, to catch leaks early.

Kitchen and bathroom cabinets, especially the ones that house under-sink plumbing, are exposed to water and humidity more often, and therefore are at a higher risk for water damage, mold, or mildew. This hack works due to the waterproof nature of the polywall and PVC lattice, allowing you to create a protective barrier between the cabinet and any humidity or leaks. So instead of giving a place for mold or mildew to grow, water can't permeate the barrier, meaning you can just wipe it up without worrying about water damage or dangerous fungus.

While this hack is a great step toward helping to prevent mold and water damage, make sure to regularly ventilate rooms and cabinets that see higher humidity, check areas often for mold or leaks, and air them out to prevent mold or water damage from ruining your cabinets.