Have you ever noticed a mold build-up on the corner of your wall? Or maybe notice the mold on the fruit that was left on the table?
If you think that your car is safe from mold, then think again. Your car’s interior is the perfect humid environment for molds to grow and thrive. So is mold in a car dangerous?
Apart from their fast reproduction, molds produce a number of natural toxins that can well be dangerous! As such, a vehicle drenched with mold spores is not only unsightly but also dangerous to your health and your car’s health.
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What Causes Mold in Cars?
Mold or mould is something that flourishes in a dark and humid environment. They travel as a tiny spore and grow to form countless colonies once they find a nice place with the perfect environment to settle.
Mold growing in car is not a new thing but it becomes an issue when a colony of molds has overtaken your car’s interior. In fact, this is a very serious problem that every car owner should know and be aware of.
A presence of mildew in cars may indicate that you have a few problems in your interior:
- Spilled drink – No one can say no to a nice cold drink while going for a ride but accidents happen. The next thing you know is your cup on the car floor and your car seat is soaked.
If the affected area is not dried quickly afterward, the damp environment can get contaminated by tiny spores and can, later on, result in a colony of molds.
- Flooding – Weather is either a friend or a foe and in case you left your window ajar that day, then you are in it for a bad treat!
If the water enters your car’s interior and it isn’t drained right after, then this will create the perfect environment as a mold’s breeding ground.
- Bad ventilation – Proper ventilation is necessary to help circulate moisture inside your car. If your ventilation system is unseemly, this may create a humid environment where molds can procreate.
- Foreign Contaminant – Infected objects or beings such as pets, plants, furniture, and many other things can spread tiny spores inside your car if you bring them inside.
If left unwashed, then the leftover spores will surely find their way to a moist corner and fester until you smell or notice them.
Read more: Ways to get mold out of car seats.
Can Mold in My Car Make Me Sick?
Now that we know how molds form, you may be curious “Is mold making me sick?”
Upon driving a few times, you may have noticed something changed in your body’s constitution. Maybe it is the bad weather, or you are just tired. Or you might be sick from mold.
Mold in a car can be a scary thought because they risk not only to your car’s health but also to you and your passengers’ well-being.
Yes, you read that right. If the mold in the car gets into someone’s lungs or skin, they can become sick – mildew sick! Toxic molds are often known to cause allergic reactions, rashes, and even infections.
Mold in car health risks and possible symptoms:
- Sneezing
- Runny Nose
- Congestion
- Coughing
- Sore Throat
- Rashes
- Headache
- Eyes, Nose, Throat, lungs, or skin irritation
- Trigger Asthma attacks
- Fever
- And many more
And in worse cases, exposure to mold cause heart problems too! If there is too much exposure or the person has a weak constitution, there is a high probability that they may develop heart disease.
If the symptoms such as congestion, headaches, and difficulty in breathing are still showing up frequently, it is best that you go see a doctor to help treat your health concerns.
Are There Different Types of Mold?
Mold colonies can exhibit different colors and textures depending on their mold species. Although some may be comparatively little or cannot be seen by the naked eye, you can easily differentiate mold colonies by the color of their surface but may need further tests to exactly identify the fungi.
Mold fungi can have different types and species but the most common types of mold that can be seen in cars are the following:
- Green Mold – It is common to see green mold in car or even at home. Even though there are a lot of mold types, the green color may determine that your mold species might be either Aspergillus, Penicillium, or Cladosporium.
- White Mold – This is also one of the most frequently seen molds everywhere but is white mold in a car dangerous? This type of mold can pose health problems and allergic reactions if exposed or improperly handled.
- Black Mold – A black mold in car can be very alarming due to its color but not all types of black mold are inherently toxic. But still do not take chances and clean it asap, because there are black mold species (like Stachybotrys chartarum) that are dangerous enough to cause death.
- Yellow Mold – One of the mold types that are needed to be on your watchlist. These types of molds can thrive in damp and organic places and can pose health risks if exposed for a long time.
There are also other colors such as brown, blue, pink, purple, red, and orange and can be seen on other environments such as food, walls, and even on soap residues.
- Tip: Dark-colored cars seem to attract molds more than lighter-colored ones. Be sure to regularly clean and dry your vehicle properly especially if your interior got wet.
What Do You Do if You Find Mold in Your Car?
If you find signs of mold in car, simply cleaning it once is not enough for you to protect yourself from these adverse effects. You need to clean it at regular intervals by using the right tools.
Try searching for mold bomb for car or mold treatment foggers that you can use as a means of killing and removing any mold spores present in your car’s interior. Better check a professional for deep cleaning in case you are not confident you can do it.
See also: 6 steps to remove mold from the car interior.
Does Sunlight Kill Mold in Car?
Absolutely yes! One of the greatest and most efficient way of removing mold is to air out your car and put it directly under the sunlight. However, this can only kill the mold spores partially.
We suggest you clean the car first, get the treatment done, and include the airdrying and sunlight in the process for best results.
Conclusion
If your car has mold, you should have it removed as soon as possible to avoid any health risks such as asthma attack, flu and more.
So if you forget and ask again “Is mold in a car dangerous?” Read through this article again to help you remember.
Don’t let your health or passenger’s health be at risk! Keep in mind “An ounce of prevention is better than pounds of cure”.
