Car mold | Causes & How to clean mold in car detailing?

The problem

Before we talk in detail about how to clean mold in car interior. First, let me help you understand some problem you are dealing with mold in car.

  • Why is there mold in my car?
  • What does mold in car look like?
  • Why does it smell like mold in my car?

Mold in car pictures

When people think of mold, their minds often turn to a white mold in my car. And mold everywhere in car when it full of moisture. Let’s be realistic. We are not in COVID 19 anymore. This situation only happen when mold in parked car.

We are talking about your daily driven car. And we can get rid of early stage white mold in car properly.

When it comes to mold in vehicles, there are key visual and sensory clues that can alert you to its unwelcome presence. Mold propagates through air, so once it starts spreading, it is really difficult to slow its spread. These below pictures are early stage white mold in car.

Causes of mold in car

Because the inside of a car is so small and the airflow is so restricted. Hence, any presence of mold in the AC system almost guarantees that you’ll get mold exposure in car.

Let’s discuss the root of the issue at hand. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), mold is, “a natural part of the environment and can be found almost anywhere that moisture and oxygen are present. They belong to the kingdom Fungi and live in moist places such as soil, plants and dead or decaying matter.”

So, it’s clear based on that description why mold would so commonly find its way into cars. The vehicles people use to transport from point A to point B, can harbor the mold spores and moisture you track in.

From twigs and dead leaves to the simple presence of excess water after a heavy rain. The contamination you bring into your car can stay, and even worse than that, it can grow.

 

There are several ways in which mold growing in car interior, such as:

  • You keep the windows open during rainy weather;
  • You park your car in a damp garage;
  • Spilling liquids and juices on the floor and seats while driving
  • Your family leave damp materials in the interior;
  • Some water leaks from the roof or windows;
  • Bad ventilation in the passenger compartment

Hence, in all of these situations, your car interior is subjected to excessive moisture. Microscopic mold spores will form first. And they will quickly spread to all parts of your interior.

This process will speed up if you blast the air conditioning system, as the circulating air helps spread any airborne mold spores throughout the cabin.

Popular mold in car symptoms

To begin with, molds are typically found in various hues. The most common being black mold, which appears as dark spots or streaks, often in clusters. But it’s not the only culprit. White mold, a frequent mold in car, is usually grow residue on door handles. Both are unmistakable signs that your car’s interior is hosting these unwelcome guests.

However, mold doesn’t just make its presence known visually. You can smell a distinctive foul odor. People often describe it as musty or earthy. And this is a clear red flag, especially if you notice it every time you enter your car. This smell is a direct consequence of mold growth, indicating a thriving colony releasing spores and decomposing organic matter.

Mold in car air conditioner symptoms

You can check mold in car AC system very simple. If you’ve noticed a musty odor when turning on the heating or cooling in your car, that could be a sign of a mold issue. 

And when is the last time you replace your filter? In Vietnam, a rainy season often causes mold in car air filter.

If you or your family are having reactions when inside the car, or even difficulty breathing this could be a sign that mold is in the environment and it’s affecting your health. Mold can cause breathing problems and other respiratory issues. When you are exposed to mold in your environment it can be very dangerous to your health, especially if you have certain allergies, asthma, or any lung-related issues. Any complaints of breathing issues, sneezing, watery eyes, or coughing while driving could also be caused by mold.

Or you can feel AC smells like mold in car. This can be a mold in car air conditioner.

How to remove mold in car carpet at home?

Let’s get back to the basic.

Mold needs moisture to grow. So if your car’s carpet gets wet or damp, it can create an environment where mold can grow. This can be caused by a leak, condensation, or something else that lets water in. Snow in the winter is a big culprit. Or sometimes you get wet when it rains. And water drops from that wet clothes.

Tips
  • Frequent check mold in car from rain if you feel smell of mold in car;
  • We recommend removing all floor mats out for each cleaning task because you can check for mold in car asap;
  • Remember to wear a high-quality mask or respirator. If the mold spores get into your respiratory system, they can cause breathing problems and asthma;
Proper ventilation parking

First of all, make sure you park your car in a good ventilation area. This will allow for adequate airflow while cleaning. 

And you will have good lighting to check for mold in car, too.

Remove all items from your car, including the floor mats, seat covers, and personal belongings.

Why?

This will make it easier to access moldy areas.

After removing all the items, use a vacuum cleaner to remove loose mold spores and prevent them from spreading further. Pay extra attention to carpets, seats, and crevices. Make sure that you cover all areas of the interior, including the seats, floor mats, doors, and the center console. Move the seats all the way backward and forward to remove all the debris beneath them.

And, don’t forget to vacuum inside the cup holders as well.

We recommend you clean carpet mold outside the vehicle. 

Mold spores are heat-sensitive and can be destroyed at high temperatures. Steam water typically reaches a temperature of 100° C. And this is sufficient to kill most types of mold.

However, it’s important to note that while boiling can kill active mold growth, it may not completely eliminate mold spores or mycotoxins that are already present. Therefore, you will need commercial cleaning products later.

Vapor steam cleaners can instantly eliminate dust mites and mold spores. And they can also dissolve grease, grime, buildup, and tough stains. If the steamer comes with a brush on the end, you can have a bit of scrubbing. Make sure all carpets are completely dry before you put back to your car.

Vapor steam cleaners use dry steam. It contains only about 6 percent more moisture than the air we breathe. This means that vapor steam cleaning won’t oversaturate carpets and upholstery. And the moisture starts to evaporate almost immediately on the surface. These machines can produce thousands of gallons of steam per hour using just a small amount of water.

Commercial mold cleaning products are designed to target and eliminate mold effectively. These products often contain powerful chemicals that penetrate deep into surfaces to kill mold spores. And you can mix it with parts water in a spray bottle and liberally spray on the affected area. After letting it sit for a couple of minutes, scrub the area with a brush.

Where we buy chemicals
Tips
  • Mix a few drops of hydrogen peroxide with water in a steam cleaner. Because hydrogen peroxide can kill mold in car by breaking down their essential components like their proteins and DNA quickly. We recommend 3% as a standard for cleaning mold.

After cleaning, it’s essential to dry the area thoroughly. Use a wet-dry vacuum to extract any residual moisture. Following this, keep the car doors and windows open, allowing direct sunlight to further aid in drying. And leave an exhaust fan on for a few hours to dry the carpet floor.

Remember, moisture is mold’s best friend; depriving it of this means preventing its return. 

Clean mold in car
DEEP CLEAN

If you are not satisfy with the result and you smell of mold in car again. It’s time for a professional car detailing services. This is the best way to kill mold completely.

Cleaning mold in car in Quan 2 TPHCM?

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Mold in car detailing
FAQ

Cleaning mold in car with Detailing EZ

  • Is ozone cleaning safe?

    Yes. Ozone’s reactivity and oxidation properties make it the best weapon against mold spores and organic matter. It attacks and neutralizes these intruders while leaving no harmful residue. And ozone can also treat mold in difficult-to-reach places inside your car. It provides an effective solution for mold issues before they escalate. 

    After ozone treatment, it will revert to regular oxygen, leaving behind no harmful by-products. This is a safe choice for mold prevention. We prefer this treatment as it doesn’t contribute to further contamination or pose additional health risks. 

  • Is mold in a car dangerous?

    Yes. Mold in a car is dangerous if it’s been growing for a long time. Mold can cause breathing problems and other respiratory issues. When you are exposed to mold for a long driving time, you can be sneezing, having watery eyes, or coughing. It also weakens your immune system. 

  • Why is there mold in car trunk?

    Your car trunk is often dark, damp, and poorly ventilated. We often use our trunk to store organic food, wet clothes, umbrellas, etc. And we sometimes forget cleaning these items after use, too. With moisture trapped in and cool environment, mold will grow. 

  • How to prevent mold in car?

    After you have a deep cleaning services and your car no longer has a funky smell, there are some things you can do to prevent a recurrence of mold.

    The most important thing you can do to avoid the growth of mold in your car is to keep an eye on the moisture levels. If it’s a really rainy day or you spill a drink, make sure to dry up as much as you can. Or you can take note of if it doesn’t seem to be drying.

    Trying to keep your car a dry clean space while parking. It will help against mold spores latching onto your vehicle’s interior.

    And you should replace cabin Air Filters frequently. A clean cabin air filter in your car can significantly reduce the chance that mold will grow inside your AC system. 

  • Does heat kill mold in car?

    Yes, but you can’t eliminate mold in car with heat only.

    Why?

    Because you can’t heat up your car up to the level that can kill mold. And heat also can’t kill mycotoxins. This is the harmful substances mold occasionally produces which can trigger serious health problems.

    Also, mold spores still grow inside car without proper cleaning method. 

  • Does ozone kill mold in car?

    No. In fact, ozone will kill and stop the mold spores from sprouting. But it is not a viable option for getting rid of all of the mold. 

    So, to completely get rid of the problem, we will need to:

    • First, we clean and take out any surface in side your car;
    • Then, we use ozone treatment.

    Why we choose this way?

    By using ozone after the surface has been cleaned, we can kill all of the spores that are not visible but still present in your car. These spores are the root cause that could allow for the mold to regrow. Also, using ozone will completely get rid of the mildew smell that was left behind.  

References
  • Şahiner A, Halat E, Alğın Yapar E. Comparison of bactericidal and fungicidal efficacy of antiseptic formulations according to EN 13727 and EN 13624 standards. Turk J Med Sci. 2019 Oct 24;49(5):1564-1567. doi: 10.3906/sag-1906-53. PMID: 31652038; PMCID: PMC7018367.

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