Mold is a hazard both inside and outside of your home. It can grow in some of the most unexpected areas, such as car interiors.
The fungus tends to grow in your car as a result of moisture and humidity. When wet and warm environment develops in your car, mold forms. Car interiors can be ideal breeding bases for this fungus after a flood, especially on fabric seats. You need to figure out how to remove mold from your car to avoid unpleasant car odors and other health risks.
Some of the main causes of mold in a car are flooding and a broken sunroof that leaks when it rains. If you also spill a drink in the interior and do not clean it well, you will see the fungus forming from the carpets or seats once it dries up.
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3 practical methods to get rid of mold from a car interior
Luckily, you can get mold out of car carpet, seats, and other parts through several methods.
1. Use white distilled vinegar and baking soda to remove mold from car interior
White distilled vinegar is a mild acid that will kill mold at its roots. Baking soda helps to absorb excess moisture in your car and remove bad smells. Here is how to use these two cleaning agents to get rid of mold in a car.
- Add two cups of baking soda in a bowl.
- Pour half a cup of white distilled vinegar into the bowl.
- Add one cup of water into the mixture.
- Mix the contents until thick paste forms.
- Spread the paste on surfaces affected by the mold in your car interior.
The next step is to scrub off the paste and repeat it several times until the mold disappears.
2. Use laundry bleach
Bleach can kill viruses, bacteria, and sanitize surfaces. It also offers an effective solution for neutralizing and killing the allergens and spores in mold once it comes into contact with it. If you want to use it to clean mold in a car:
- Add one-part bleach and ten parts water into a container
- Apply the solution on all non-porous surfaces in your car affected by the mold
- You can do this by spraying or scrubbing with a sponge
After applying the bleach, leave it to react on the mold.
3. Use an air purifier
An air purifier is more effective because it can eliminate germs, odors, bacteria, allergens, and kills mold in car seats and general interior. But for this to be successful in your automobile, you need an air purifier that comes with a True HEPA Filter and activated carbon filter. To use the device:
- Place it inside your car and power it on for air to circulate
- If you have an ionic air purifier, plug it into your car’s cigarette lighter socket and power it on
The device will work by trapping airborne particles and preventing them from re-entering. You can finish it up by using the best car odor eliminators to freshen up the interior.
How to prepare your car for mold removal
While you can use various methods to kill mold from your car, the first step should be to prepare your car before you embark on the process. You can start by exposing it to the sun to eliminate any dampness, circulate fresh air, get rid of tiny mold spores, and deodorize it.
If there are large clusters of mold, break them down using a brush or through vacuuming. For the rest of the spores that do not break, apply the methods mentioned above to eliminate them.
Conclusion
Some of the best methods for removing mold from car seats and other affected surfaces include using vinegar and baking soda, laundry bleach, and air purifier. It is also helpful to start by exposing your car to direct sunlight and opening the windows to eliminate dampness and kill mold spores.
If you choose to use an air purifier, ensure it has a True HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter. A combination of these two ensures that all mold spores are removed from the air the car occupants are safe from health risks brought about by mold.