mouldy terracotta dishes

[lilolilmanchester]

Bought some terracotta dishes in Spain a few years ago (you know, the bog standard ones you get in every Spanish restaurant). They're really useful but have a tendency to grow mould.
a) if I wash them, are they still safe to use?
b) what's causing it
c) how can I stop it
(nothing else in the cupboard is mouldy, only these dishes)

Mine do that sometimes if I haven't dried them out properly. So now I wash them (even in the dishwasher sometimes) and then put them in the oven to dry out for a day (if possible), I turn it on low and then when the light goes out I turn it off and use the residual heat. They seem to be much better now.

they are fine to use if you just wash the mould off. I use them as cupboard damp-catchers.

Thanks both - will try the drying out tip (seems kinda obvious now you've pointed it out PigeonPie). Felt sure they were safe to use (since they've been mouldy on and off for a couple of years and we're all still alive). Just wondered if there was something awful breeding in there that I didn't know about! Thanks again