As car owners, we do not like to see any dirt in the car. May it be inside or outside, they are unpleasant to the eyes. If you got mold inside the car, you would not be comfortable driving, nor just simply sitting on it. So how can you remediate this problem?
Well, steps on how to remove mold from your car interior are discussed in this section. Let’s read them and find out!
Table of Contents
What You Will Need
Here’s what you are going to include in preparing to clean mold out of car:
- Personal protective equipment (PPE): face mask, goggles, thick rubber gloves, cover all gear
- vacuum cleaner or car blower (optional)
- plastic spray bottle
- scrub brush
- microfiber towel
- pure white, distilled vinegar
Steps to Remove Car Mold
Step 1: Get ready
Cleaning mold from car interior is not just as simple as wiping dust off the car. Before getting the job done, never forget to put on your protective equipment.
Make sure that your hand gloves are put on, preferably the non-porous ones, so that chemical cleaning agents may not get on the skin of your hands.
Aside from your PPE, putting near you the things you’ll need will help you get mold out of car interior faster.
Step 2: Find a good place to clean
Get mold out of car upholstery by placing your car in a well-lit area.
Related: Steps to DIY car upholstery cleaner.
Step 3: Pre-clean the car interior
Clean your car interior from other stuff. Throw away the trash, put off car pillows and car mats, and partially wipe visible dust and dirt. You may use a vacuum cleaner for stubborn dust.
Make sure that all items contacted with molds are thrown to avoid spreading them around. By doing this, you minimize the contact of white mold in car to other items inside it.
Step 4: Spray the molded portions
Use a new plastic spray bottle to fill with pure white, distilled vinegar.
Vinegar is a great cleaning agent having strong antifungal properties that allow molds to stick to it, this is an excellent mold remover for car interior.
After filling the bottle, spray it to the affected area or where molds thrive the most. Wait for about ten minutes to let it soak over the solution.
Brush the area after soaking it. Spraying and brushing can be done repeatedly, as often as needed. Then, wipe those portions with a microfiber towel.
Step 5: Dry the sprayed parts
After wiping all the sprayed parts, let them dry using a car blower or a vacuum cleaner for easy and fast drying.
You can also bring the car windows down to allow air passage inside the car and have them naturally dried up.
When they are all dried up, check whether the cleaning was well done. If not, you can always go back to satisfy yourself with the outcome.
Step 6: Assess your work
In case molds are still present after several cleanings, you may seek help and have your car undergo a professional car mold removal.
What Are the Alternatives of Mold and Mildew Remover for Car Interior
- Diluted bleach in water can be an option. But take note, bleach may cause a change in color in your molded area once cleaned. This disinfects the mold-infested area. A cup of it and a gallon of water is the right ratio.
- Borax, an antiseptic, is another alternative to get rid of mold in car. It prevents the growth of molds. Use one cup of borax in a gallon of water. You can use a scrub brush after.
- Tea Tree Oil is a natural removing agent that kills the bad spores from all around, brought about by air, and prevents the molds from emerging again. You just need to have this, added with a teaspoon of water and leave it overnight.
- Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound known to pass through DNA structure and proteins of molds and other fungi. That is why this can be used to get rid of molds. Only 3% concentration is needed. Leave it for 10 minutes.
- Baking soda does not only destroy molds but also freshens the unpleasant smell the molds bring inside the car. You just need a tablespoon of it poured into a spray bottle of water, then shake it until dissolved.
- Ammonia is a strong, toxic chemical compound that has the same effects as using bleach. A 50% clear ammonia and 50% of water can be mixed as a spraying agent.
- Grapefruit seed extract or lemon juice has citric acid present in it that kills mold and even deodorizes your car.
If you use a grapefruit seed extract, have at least ten drops of it in a cup of water, then mix thoroughly.
If you use lemon juice, have one cup of it mixed with a cup of water. Let the mixture penetrate much in the molded area to avoid them from recurring.
Helpful Tips
How to Avoid a Mold-Infested Car
Having a car infested with molds can be so disgusting. The very noticeable manifestation of it is the unpleasant smell it gives inside the car, especially the very first time the car is opened on a certain day.
To avoid experiencing this, here are a few reminders for you to take note:
- Wipe wet or watery substances right away
When you notice a wetted seat or floor, or worse comes to worst, a big spill in the car, wipe it immediately. Do not wait for it to dry itself. It is the common reason for a mold-infested car.
- Do not leave your car windows open
An open car window can be an entry for water or moisture. This can leave the car with wet sections and be mold-infested soon.
- Practice car disinfection from time to time
Since molds are fungi, it is best to disinfect your car interior when the need arises. A well-cleaned and disinfected car will give molds a lesser chance to thrive.
- Refrain from eating inside the car
As much as possible, do not use your car as your dining place. Unless you have time constraints and eating out may take you a longer time, this can be a consideration. But, if you make it a habit, this can be a source for mold makeup.
Conclusion
Molds inside the car are a common problem car owners encounter. Mold removal may entail professional services from car cleaning companies. However, you can do it on your own with the right tools.
There are many different alternatives on how to remove mold from your car interior. If you will also religiously follow the helpful reminders, you can finally have a mold-free vehicle again.
