If you’re like most people, you associate mold with poorly ventilated bathrooms and damp basements. However, your car is also a potential breeding ground for germs. Humid weather, rain-soaked floor mats, and spilled drinks are all possible triggers for mold to start growing inside a passenger vehicle.
Here is how this happens and what you can do about it.
What Makes Mold Grow Inside a Car?
Mold needs three crucial things in order to grow: warmth, organic material, and moisture. Most cars have one or two of these, and many have all three. Leaky doors, sunroofs, or windows can allow moisture to enter a passenger vehicle, and high humidity can make the car damp enough for mold growth. Spills from drinks and wet gear or clothes can also be sources of moisture.
When you hear anyone talk about the greenhouse effect, you might think of getting into your car when it’s been sitting in the sun on a hot afternoon. Cars frequently trap heat, particularly in warmer climates or when parked in direct sunlight. Unfortunately, the greenhouse effect can happen at any time of year. The final condition, organic material, can also occur at any time of the year, as food crumbs, carpet, fabric seats, skin cells, and dust can all provide food for mold spores.
Where Mold Commonly Appears in Cars
Mold won’t grow just anywhere, and this holds in cars as much as in homes. It favors dark, hidden, humid places. You might not always see mold growth when it happens, either. Your first indicator might be a sour or musty odor. If you want to look for it, start under your floor mats, particularly after snow or rain. Seats and upholstery are also susceptible areas, especially if they have fabric surfaces.
More advanced cases may occur with seatbelts, the dashboard, or your steering wheel. Neglecting interior cleaning is always a risk. Additionally, water leaking unnoticed in your trunk can put that part of your car at risk. Condensation in air vents may allow mold to grow inside your ventilation system.
Health Risks of Mold in a Car
Mold exposure is a potentially serious health hazard. The confined space of a passenger vehicle complicates this. Possible respiratory issues include wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Allergic reactions are possible, and the associated symptoms include watery eyes, itchy skin, runny nose, and sneezing.
Asthma and other lung conditions can be aggravated by mold exposure. Even healthy individuals might suffer fatigue or headaches. It only takes short-term exposure for any of these symptoms to develop, particularly among sensitive individuals.
Signs Your Car Might Have Mold
There are several warning signs to look out for if you’re concerned about mold in your vehicle. Visible mold growth can be black, white, or green spots on windows, vents, or upholstery. Condensation on windows might be a warning sign that can happen even in dry weather. Water damage or stains might be present on seats, carpets, or the ceiling. Be mindful of allergy-like symptoms when you drive, and pay attention to sour or musty smells inside your vehicle, particularly when operating the air conditioner.
Should You Drive a Moldy Car?
Driving a car that has mold in it can be hazardous to your health, particularly if you have prolonged exposure over time. Short trips may not result in immediate harm, but prolonged exposure to airborne mold spores can trigger respiratory problems and allergic reactions. Any existing chronic illnesses may worsen. If you notice mold on your car, avoid driving until it has been thoroughly cleaned. You may be able to accomplish this to some degree on your own. Still, professional intervention is strongly recommended for extreme cases where mold has damaged structural components or saturated hard-to-access areas.
How To Safely Remove Mold From Your Car
If you confirm mold in your car, you can take steps to eliminate it. Here are six things you can do.
1. Wear Protection
Always wear safety gloves and glasses when handling mold. A mask, preferably an N95, helps you avoid inhaling spores.
2. Remove and Clean Items
Take out seat covers, floor mats, and other fabric items. Wash them using detergent and hot water; replace them as needed.
3. Vacuum Thoroughly
Make sure to vacuum all surfaces thoroughly. A HEPA vacuum is a good choice to clean seats, carpets, and all nooks and crannies.
4. Use a Cleaning Solution
A 1:1 ratio mixture of white vinegar and water can kill mold while neutralizing odors. There are commercial mold removers explicitly formulated for automotive use in the retail marketplace. Avoid using bleach, as it may not always effectively kill mold on porous surfaces and can damage interior materials.
5. Dry the Interior
After you’re done cleaning, dry your vehicle thoroughly. Open the windows, and use fans or dehumidifiers.
6. Clean Air Vents
Run your AC on high. Get an antifungal cleaner, and spray it into the intake vents.
For severe mold infestations, contact a mold remediation service. You cannot remediate these yourself, as these require specific training and experience.
Who Should I Contact?
Your auto insurance might cover mold damage from covered incidents, such as flood damage or vandalism with a broken window. Mold from negligence or poor maintenance is typically excluded. Contact your insurance provider to see what is and isn’t covered for you.
Seek professional automotive mold remediation if you have recurring mold despite your cleaning efforts, mold in the HVAC system, or worsening health symptoms after driving. Strong, persistent odors and extensive damage to headliners, panels, or carpets are other reasons to contact professionals who might have industrial dehumidifiers, steam cleaners, and ozone generators among their tools.
Preventing Mold From Returning
Once mold is removed, whether by yourself or through professional intervention, take steps to prevent it from returning. Routine cleaning and inspection do a great deal to avoid accumulations of mold from becoming problems. Fix leaks and faulty seals around windows, doors, and sunroofs. Keep your car dry by drying out damp spots and spills quickly; avoid leaving wet umbrellas or clothes in your vehicle.
Use moisture-absorbing products, such as car dehumidifiers or silica gel packs, to lower humidity levels. Run your AC regularly to circulate air and reduce humidity; park in dry, shaded, or covered areas to minimize condensation. Open your windows slightly when it’s safe to do so, allowing airflow to circulate. This is especially critical after rain.
Can iMold Remove Mold From My Vehicle Interior?
Yes! iMold is a cleaning and restoration specialist serving Southwest Florida. Whether you’ve noticed musty odors in your cabin or spotted mold on the seats, our team can identify the source of the problem and eliminate it.
We’re experts in mold remediation, offering mold inspections, testing, and removal, as well as air duct cleaning services to residential and commercial clients alike.
Contact iMold today to schedule a detailed interior inspection and get back to a healthier, cleaner driving experience.
