How to Get Rid of Mold Growing in Your Car
Owning a car or other vehicle can be ambiguous. On the one hand, you have the freedom to go wherever you go without relying on public transportation or your own legs – which made them especially desirable during a pandemic. But on the other hand, their costs can rise rapidly between insurance, gas, road tolls and regular maintenance.
And there are other situations that arise unexpectedly: for example, one morning you open a car door and you are greeted by the sight and / or smell of mold. If you have the financial resources to hand your vehicle over to a professional and let him take care of the mold, that’s great. But if that’s not an expense in your monthly budget, you can do it yourself at home. Here’s how.
Why do cars get moldy?
The most common reason cars get moldy inside is because moisture somehow gets into your interior . This could be because windows or sunroof remain open when it rains, or because a large amount of liquid has been spilled and then soaked into the upholstery. Mold will grow and spread even faster if your vehicle is kept warm with a damp interior.
It should be noted that we will be talking about vehicles with relatively mild mold problems resulting from spills or water ingress within hours of rain – not the kind you might see in an abandoned car or sitting on the street for years. (or even decades). If so, you will need a lot more help than this.
How to remove mold from a car interior
First, a few words about why it is so important to spend time and effort getting rid of mold in the car. While there are different types of mold – some of which are more detrimental to our health than others – in general, this is not what you need at any moment (especially if you have allergies).
Luckily, Chris Teague of The Drive has put together a handy guide on how to remove mold from cars with his own hands .
What you need:
- Vacuum
- Spray
- Towels or rags
- Brush
- Gloves
- Eye protection
- Mask
- Distilled white vinegar
- Car cleaning wipes
- Spray on carpet or car interior cleaner
What to do:
Prepare your car for cleaning:
Before you start rubbing or cleaning the mold, you need to make sure that the interior of your car is at least partially cleaned.
- Remove garbage, personal belongings, documents and other items from the interior. Throw away anything that is moldy.
- Vacuum carpets, seats, and other soft surfaces thoroughly.
- Inspect the vehicle for leaks and damage to the seals. Moisture entering the vehicle encourages mold growth. If there is a leak and you won’t fix it, chances are you will be cleaning the machine of mold again in the future.
Removing mold:
- Fill a spray bottle with white distilled vinegar. Whenever possible, be sure to use a new spray bottle because any residue left inside the bottle from previous use can cause problems. If you don’t like vinegar, you can use bleach diluted with water, but you will need to test it on a hidden spot in the machine to make sure you are not killing the colors.
- Spray the solution directly onto carpets, seats, and any other surface that has mold. Saturate the area thoroughly.
- Use a cleaning brush to apply the vinegar solution to the affected area, spray more if necessary.
- Let the surfaces dry. If you have a garage where your car can be safely parked indoors, it is best to leave the windows down to allow fresh air to circulate in and out.
There is a lot more information in Teague’s guide , so check out the additional tips.