We all hate dirty and smelly surroundings but in certain cases, we happen to find ourselves wondering how they came to be in the first place. I am talking about the mold in your car. Mold tops gross things that can happen to your car. However, what are molds? Where do they come from and why must we remove them from our cars?
What Is Mold? What Is Its Source?
Mold is a living organism (fungus) that multiplies very quickly and easily provided the environment is conducive. A fungus is the same organism that grows in mushrooms and athletes foot. A number of molds are harmless but a few strains can be deadly. For instance, breathing in the spores of the black mold can cause life-threatening allergic reactions.
The spores of mold are carried in the air. When the spores encounter certain environmental elements including moisture, warmth, and source of food (like organic matter); they settle and multiply exponentially. Molds need just a little moisture in your car interior (seat, carpet and seat belts) to start growing.
The moisture can come from a spill of a drink or a previous cleaning episode that never dried out moisture completely from the car seat, upholstery or belt.
Benefits of Getting Mold Out Of You Car
Mold is unsightly, smells and can pose a potential health risk to you and other users of the car. A car with mold looks dirty and much older that it really is.
Besides, molds have a repugnant smell that can render the car a no-go zone. Even worse is that certain the fact that strains of mold can cause severe allergic reactions or even death.
Getting rid of mold out of your car will make your car look clean and new, while at the same time eliminating the terrible odor that results from an overgrowth of mold. It will also get rid of the dangerous molds that can pose a health risk to the users of the car.
Simple Steps to Get Mold Out Of Your Car
While you can employ the services of a professional to remove the mold from your car, the undertaking may be expensive. The good thing is that you can do it yourself by following a few simple steps. Here are the steps to take to remove easily and successfully mold from your car interior:
Requirements
- Carpet steam cleaner
- Carpet shampoo
- Water
- Household bleaching agent (optional)
Step 1: Identify the Areas with Mold
It is not easy to miss a mold-infested area because it looks so unsightly and in certain cases may produce a terrible odor. However, you need to be certain that you have identified all areas of the car with mold because any missed sport could be a source of another source if infestation.
Step 2: Fill the Carpet Steam Cleaner With Hot Water
You could be wondering why we are using hot water in a carpet steam cleaner because moisture and warmth are some of the basic elements required by molds for growth. The truth is that carpet steam cleaner does a good job in killing the mold and is a low-moisture cleaning method because the car seat, upholstery or seat belt is not fully soaked. Besides, any resultant moisture will try too quickly to be of use to mold.
Step 3: Add Shampoo to the Cleaner
Depending on the cleaner you are using, you can either add the shampoo directly in the water or indirectly through a separate compartment for the shampoo. Make sure you add the right amount of shampoo so that you are not forced to use too much water.
Step 4: Clean the Affected Areas
Some carpet cleaners come with an upholstery attachment for small spaces. Use it in case there is a need. Clean all the areas with mold as thoroughly as you can. Only by getting rid of all molds will you protect your vehicle from developing them almost immediately you finish the process.
Step 5: Use Small Amount of Household Bleaching Agent
Mold usually discolor the car and without a bleaching agent. A simple cleaning can kill the mold but may not correct the discoloration. In such a case, it would be a good idea to use a small amount of household bleaching agent. Overdoing it may discolor your car interior and therefore you make be extremely careful on the amount of bleaching agent you use.
Step 6: Rinse and Reassess
If you believe you have cleans all the areas affected, you embark on the process of rinsing. Rinse the entire area with clean water and then vacuum away the excess moisture. Once you have vacuumed all the moisture away, reassess the car interior for any remnant molds and take the appropriate action. If you are convinced that the entire mold is gone then you should keep the car open and let it air dry completely.
Conclusion
Mold can interfere with the aesthetics of your car and put your life at risk. If you notice you have mold in your car, then seize the earliest opportunity to start the process of getting them out of your car. The process is quite simple and straightforward. Your car will look clean and new and all the users will be safe.
If you found this resource helpful then you can benefit from other valuable resources including How to get the smoke smell out of the car and How to clean seat belts. Ensure you give your car the best care for it to serve you safely and for long.
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