How to get rid of mold on a vehicle?
First of all, you should know that mold usually forms in a car when water seeps into its cabin. Cracks or even a "tired" sunroof in the rain or when washing, for example, can be the cause of infiltration. On the other hand, liquids that have spilled in the vehicle and have been poorly mopped up can also promote their development.
Regarding the types of mold that can appear in a car, in general, the most common are green, white or blue mold. These are usually Penicillium-type molds. However, other types of mold such as yellow Aspergillus-type, brown Cladosporium-type or black or gray Alternaria-type mold can also enter a vehicle. The same is true for Stachybotrys-like black-green molds, also known as toxic black molds. These are known to have a very harmful effect on health and can even be fatal.
In which parts of the vehicle can mold appear?
Mold can settle almost anywhere in a vehicle. However, it develops easily under and on carpets, at the level of seats and on most textile materials. While mold resulting from a spilled drink can easily be detected, mold resulting from a general moisture problem is sometimes difficult to spot. In fact, these fungi can settle inside the seat upholstery, foam, in the air conditioning and ventilation system or even in the trunk.
Concerning the trunk, it is important to pay particular attention to the latter since it is an area particularly conducive to the development of mold. Indeed, if wet goods, clothes or cleaning rags have been left there for a long time, mold may well be present inside.
How to get rid of mold in a vehicle?
The elimination of mold in a vehicle is done in stages:
1. Stop the development of mold by placing the car in a lighted and ventilated place with the doors and windows open; 2. Eliminate bad odors using a deodorizing spray; 3. Get rid of the mold either by using a shop vacuum, or by using anhydrous calcium chloride to absorb it, or by spreading baking soda on the mold before vacuuming it all up with a vacuum ; 4. Wash the carpets and the floor of the vehicle with a detergent; 5. Wash the carpet using a dedicated shampoo; 6. Clean plastic parts with diluted bleach or white vinegar; 7. Remove traces of mold using alcohol at 60°C.
In the case of a deep mold invasion, it is best to call in a professional. The latter will use the fumigation technique to get rid of it.
