How to Clean a Mold-Infested Car
How to Clean a Mold-Infested Car
If you’re in the Bowling Green, Louisville Clarksville or Somerset, KY. area, you know SpeedWash has you covered with your exterior. But sometimes, you get in your vehicle after a rainy day to find that black, brown, red, and white spores have appeared seemingly out of nowhere. You might panic, Googling furiously to find out whether a moldy car can give you cancer. You might also make an appointment with a professional detailing company. What if you don't have a couple hundred bucks to spend with a detailing outlet? Look no further, SpeedWash has tips to keep your car mold-free! With the money you save, check out our unlimited plans to keep the exterior of your car in top shape!
Take proper safety precautions
As you go about cleaning your car, you'll stir up mold spores. While you probably won't get cancer and die from mold exposure, you may suffer an allergic reaction or develop a cough. It's important to protect yourself as you clean the vehicle. Wear a protective mask and sunglasses. That will help keep the spores from entering your body.
Use a vacuum to dry the car
Mold grows in cars because of a combination of factors. The equation needs moisture, darkness, and some edible material for the mold to feast on. If you get moisture in the car, that French fry you dropped on the floor can quickly spawn an entire fungal family. That's why it's so important to start with a vacuum to remove much of the standing water and organic matter the mold's been feasting on. It's best if you have a wet-dry vacuum that can suck up excessive amounts of water. If you don't have that equipment, the standard vacuum at your local car wash will suffice.
Use vinegar to scrub the mold
You may find that simply using a vacuum will not get rid your car of all the mold. Some will resist extraction, allowing the mold to re-grow quickly once the car gets damp again. Many people are tempted to use ammonia or bleach to get rid of the spores. This will discolor your car's interior, and it won't work anyway. The spores will feed off of the ammonia, growing stronger every day. The better option is vinegar. The natural acidic quality of vinegar will kill the mold for good. Apply the vinegar liberally and scrub vigorously with a rag or brush.
Allow the vehicle to air and sun dry
The sun is the best tool at your disposal if you want a car free of mold. If you're lucky, you'll have a nice sunny day to work with. Leave the car directly in the sunlight, opening the sunroof, windows, and even doors. The sunlight will help to dry the car. It will also kill any of the remaining mold the vinegar might have missed.
Car maintenance ideas to eliminate future problems
After you've let the car dry in the sun and applied that air freshener to eliminate some of the smell, you need to think about preventative care. It's critical to see a car care professional to find out how moisture is getting into your car. In some cases, it can be as simple as your draining tubes being clogged by dirt or leaves, forcing water into the car rather than out through the car's normal defensive process. You may also want to take better care of your car's interior. Eating fast food in the car is a sure way to leave around the biological matter that mold will feast on.
Finding mold in your car can be an unpleasant experience at best. The car will smell musty, and if mold is allowed to spread, the interior can quickly be ruined. The important thing to stay mindful of the issue; identify the problem and take steps to remedy it as soon as you find it.