What To Do If There Is Mold In Your Car
At some point you may find yourself noticing an odd smell in your car. It could be the stray Starbucks cup or gym clothes, but when those are gone and the odor is still there, what is causing it?
Well when it comes to cars, mold can commonly be the culprit of that weird musty smell. All too often drinks are spilled, food crumbs fall, and mud gets tracked in the car. Any one of these things can be just the thing needed for mold to take root and call your car home.
The good news is that certain professional auto detailing companies specialize in the mold removal process and can rid your car of the foul smell and dangerous contamination.
What Exactly Is Mold?
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.”
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.
How Can Mold Affect Me?
Beyond smelling and looking gross, mold can have a negative impact on your health and on the value of your car.
Mold, especially within confined spaces, is not safe to be breathing in or in contact with. The spores can irritate your nose, eyes, and throat. The Center For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) says that, “exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Some people, such as those with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more intense reactions.”
As noted by the CDC, those who are predisposed to respiratory issues like allergies and asthma can have more intense reactions to mold than the standard person. For everyone though it is imperative to get the mold safely removed as quickly as possible.
Not only will you be facing hazardous conditions when driving, but your car may be suffering damage as well.
If there is enough moisture or excess water in your car to be causing noticeable mold growth, there is also the possibility that water is in contact with metal and forming rust somewhere in your vehicle. Rust in particular can do damage by eating away at the metal structure itself.
Needles to say, if there is a mold problem in your car, more may be going on. It’s always best to get the advice of a professional on how to handle the situation.
How To Get Rid Of The Mold
Due to the hazardous nature of mold, we can’t recommend attempting to remedy the situation on your own.
Auto detailing experts have years of experience with mold remediation and ensuring a car is safe and clean for driving. The removal of mold on the part of the professionals requires anything from chemical treatments to steam cleaning.
Regardless of their methods, they will make sure your car is mold free and dry so as to avoid any potential regrowth.
How To Prevent Mold Growth
Once the professional auto detailing services are performed and your car no longer has a funky smell and can be safely used again, 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 take note of if it doesn’t seem to be drying.
Trying to keep your car a dry clean space will be the best line of defence against mold spores latching onto your vehicle's interior.
Also important to look out for is what you track into the car. As best as you can, try knocking your shoes against the tires to shake loose any wet debris that may be carrying mold spores. Also try to be as careful as you can with food and sugary beverages. The remnants of these snacks can age and become a course of mold.
Keeping a close eye on these possible sources of mold will help prevent future growth and keep your car cleaner in general.
Detail By Miles Specializes In Mold Remediation
If you are concerned about mold growth in your vehicle, be sure to inquire about our mold remediation services. Here at Detail by Miles we can rid your car of harmful contamination like mold and the foul odors that go with it. We also do other auto detailing services like car cleanings and graphene coatings. To learn more, call us at 971-678-9222 or book here!