When you don’t use your car for some time, chances are mould is going to grow in it. Now, there are different kinds of moulds, and some of them are more concerning than others. There are moulds that are completely harmless to us humans, while there are others, like black mould, which should be avoided at all costs.
The problem is that it’s quite hard for the uninformed to identify what kind of mould is present. In a lot of cases, different types of mould grow in the same area, making it even harder to do so. Moreover, too many people, all mould is bad mould. Since even breathing in mould spores can be harmful to your health, let’s take a look at the best way to get rid of car mold spores from your car seats and interior.
Preparing Your Car Interior
Before we go into the different options you have for mould removal, let’s begin by talking about how to prepare your car for it. If possible move your car to a place where it can be exposed to direct sunlight. Moving your car outside is also a good idea because it prevents mould from contaminating the interior surfaces. Once your car is under direct sunlight, open all of its doors and windows. Do so for at least 15 minutes to get as many mould spores out as possible. This will also help deodorize the car. Additionally, check for any damp clothes and floor mats, as these can contribute to mould growth.
It’s also important that you put on the appropriate personal protective equipment, even if you’re just dealing with “harmless” types of mould. When dealing with mould, you should be wearing gloves that cover your forearms, boots, safety goggles, coveralls, and, most importantly, a particle mask. It would be better if you used ones that were disposable to have less chances of cross-contamination. Make sure that anyone who’s helping you is also wearing the proper safety gear.
Once you’re all suited up, check the full extent of the mould. Look at how far it’s spread and how much damage it’s done. Check the seats as well as underneath them, the carpeting, the dashboard, the steering wheel, and even the seatbelts. Look for any trash or old clothes, especially wet ones, as these could have served as the breeding ground for the mold.
Removing Larger Mold Clusters and Mold Spores
You’ve now successfully prepared to remove the mould from your car. Start by taking an old toothbrush and using it to break up larger mould clusters. Use short and gentle strokes to avoid spreading the spores around even further. Once you’ve brushed most, if not all, of the car’s nooks and crannies, get a wet-dry vacuum cleaner and suck all of the loose mould spores out. Despite your best efforts at brushing and vacuuming; however, you’ll find that there are still some spores that don’t want to budge. Here’s how you get rid of them.
Getting Rid of Mold with White Vinegar
If you’re more of a DIY type of guy, then we have three easy yet effective solutions for you. The first is using white vinegar, an acid which can kill mould and stop it from growing back by burning it. Don’t worry about your car having a strong, vinegary smell after all this. It’s nothing a little fresh air and baking soda can’t handle. What’s also great is that this method works with all kinds of seats – from leather to vinyl and even cloth-type seats.
It is crucial to remove mold spores to prevent them from lingering and causing regrowth.
For this, you’ll need distilled white vinegar, a spray bottle or some clean cloth, and some tap water. Mix eight parts vinegar with two parts water. Afterwards, put it in the spray bottle or keep it in a clean container where you can soak the cloth scraps in. You can use non-distilled white vinegar, but you may have to add in more of it. You could even use undiluted vinegar if you’re dealing with a more severe infestation.
If only a few spores were left after you vacuumed, you could do with spot cleaning. Simply spray or dab the solution directly on the mould and one or two feet of the surrounding area. For more extreme cases, spray the entire area from top to bottom. Once you’ve applied the vinegar solution, let it soak in for around 15 minutes. This would be enough time to kill all of those pesky
Eliminating Mold with Salt
The next method is quite similar to the first one, but instead of using distilled white vinegar, you’ll be using non-iodized salt. Simply mix the salt into a bucket full of water. Then, brush or spray this mixture onto a mouldy surface. Again, make sure that you’re not only covering the area where the visible mold and spores were, but also one or two feet of the adjacent space. Leave this to dry for a couple of minutes, with direct sunlight and air circulation if possible, so that salt crusts will form – brush or vacuum off these crusts. Repeat as necessary.
To prevent mold growth, it is essential to minimize moisture, avoid food spills, and use antiseptic products.
Killing Mold Using Oil of Cloves
The third do-it-yourself method may be harder to come by for some car owners, but it may also be the most effective. This method requires the use of the oil of cloves, a powerful antiseptic that kills mould and inhibits the growth of its spores. You’ll only need a small amount of this stuff, so dilute it carefully. Using too much oil of cloves may irritate the skin of younger children and babies. To prepare your mould cleaning solution, you’ll need a quarter teaspoon of oil of cloves, one litre of tap water, a clean spray bottle and cloth, as well as an old toothbrush. Baking soda and white vinegar would be useful, too, if you have them.
Exposure to toxic black mould can lead to serious health problems, including continuous fatigue, vomiting, bleeding in the nose and lungs, nausea, and headaches. Prolonged exposure may result in memory loss, chronic fatigue, mental confusion, muscle cramps, hair loss, anxiety, and even deadly diseases.
Neutralising Foul Odors
The next steps are completely optional, but if you’re bothered by the residual smell of cleaning solutions, then here’s what you should do. Your first option would be to use an air freshener spray to neutralize the bad smells. You could also sprinkle baking soda around problem areas to absorb the foul odors, then vacuum it up once it’s done its job. These smells usually go away on their own given a bit of time.
Preventing Mold from Growing Back to Prevent Future Mold Growth
Once you’ve cleared out all the mould in your car, it’s time to start thinking about how to stop car mould from happening again. If there are any leaks in your car, seal them. Remember, moisture is mould’s best friend, so if there’s any way for snow or rainwater to come into your car, then spores are bound to appear, leading to mould growth. Check the windshield and the windows thoroughly. If you
Sources:
How to Kill Mold on Car Interiors – Hunker
3 Natural Ways To Remove Mold From Car Seats and Interior – Wheels Guide