As a car owner, you’ve probably not considered a silent, yet dangerous issue that lurks in your car. Mold. Mold isn’t just an aesthetic issue, it poses issues to your car’s resale value as well as the passenger’s health and comfort.
Understanding the issue of mold in cars is helpful to prevent it from continuing, or to manage it effectively. Let’s look into this essential aspect of car maintenance.
Mold & It’s Dangers
In simple terms, mold is a type of fungus that grows in damp areas. It is often found where there’s high humidity or where water accumulates. In cars, mold finds its way in through moisture such as spills, damp clothes or when outdoor humidity gets trapped inside. When you take on car mold cleaner services, you can make sure your car remains as clean as possible.
Mold in your vehicle isn’t just visually unpleasant, it’s also a hazard. It can lead to many health issues, especially in infants and the elderly. It can trigger allergies, cause skin and throat irritation and even cause respiratory problems. Ignoring mold isn’t just ignoring something unsightly, it’s putting everyone in her car at risk.
In terms of aesthetics, mold can be terrible for your car’s interiors. It hangs onto seats, carpets and other surfaces, causing persistent smells (think of a wet dog or a dusty damp smell but worse). If left long enough, this can lead to permanent damage to your car.
Signs of Mold in Your Vehicle
Now that you know why mold is so dangerous, it’s time to learn how to identify it in your vehicle. Recognising these signs early can help stop the problem in its tracks and prevent issues from recurring down the line.
Visible Mold: This is the clearest sign of mold. It looks very distinct, like small fuzzy dots on surfaces that are made of fabric. It can be different colours from black to green, white or grey.
Persistent Odor: Even if you can’t seem old, you can smell it. The smell is a very distinct musty smell and is strongest in closed spaces, so if your car smells damp when you open the doors you have a mold issue.
Health Issues: Issues such as persistent coughing, itchy eyes and sneezing in the car are signs of mold exposure. If these symptoms subside when you aren’t driving so much, it’s a clear indication that your car is filled with mold.
Remember that knowledge is power when it comes to mold and the sooner you fix it the better it will be in terms of cost effectiveness.
What’s Needed To Fix The Issue
Whether you call the experts or try to fix things yourself, it’s wise to be aware of the tools needed to get rid of mold in your vehicle.
The Essentials: A HEPA filter on a vacuum cleaner can pick up mold spores that commercial vacuums muss. A soft bristle brush is also needed to loosen mold from surfaces.
Cleaning Products: Two household cleaners that work for mold are baking soda and vinegar. When the mold is severe, you can use specialized mold cleaners, but these are not often sold commercially and may be hard to find.
Protective Equipment: Protection is vital when handling mold as the spires can spread and you can even inhale them or wind up with them in your eyes. Some equipment to consider includes gloves, masks and goggles.
Can You DIY Mold Removal?
If you catch the mold early enough, you may be able to clean it yourself, but this isn’t recommended. Unfortunately, mold is very difficult to get rid of permanently. As the spores are prone to spreading, you can wind up with mold returning for months to come, and this can turn into an expensive issue to fix, so when the problem first arises, deal with it in a permanent manner.
When To Call the Experts
If your mold infestation is severe, or If you simply don’t have time to even try a DIY, contacting the experts is a smart choice. No matter how stubborn the mold seems, it’s nothing for the professionals.
They can inspect your car, discover hidden mold growth and use cleaning methods that will be a guaranteed investment for the health of you and your car. When comparing services, consider the company that has experience with mold in general, not just in a car as they will have seen a wider variety of mold types and will know how to combat each one, and can even guide you in future prevention.
Prevent Mold Growth
Prevention is the key when it comes to mold. You can take some simple steps to prevent mold from growing at all or regrowing in the future.
- Reduce the moisture in your car: you can do this by making sure it’s dry when closing it up wipe off any condensation and don’t leave wet items inside.
- Roll up windows: if you leave the windows open you can get moisture and mold spores in your car. Unless you’re airing your car out, leave the windows closed.
- Regular cleaning: consider using a disinfectant to wipe surfaces in your car and vacuum often enough to keep things clean.
- Avoid bad habits such as eating in your car, keeping open cups in your car or allowing wet pets inside the car without protection or the seats.
Who Do You Call?
Mold remediation is something that has to be done right, especially when it comes to cars. By making sure your car is mold-free, you’re protecting your investment in your health and your car’s value. This is what you’ll be paying for when you hire the mold remediation company.
Although you may be tempted to DIY, it’s best to bypass the stress and drama of trying it yourself and just call the experts at Flood Pros USA. With a wide availability and service in multiple states, Flood Pros is your one-stop solution to mold, water damage, fire and more!