Mold can wreak havoc in your car, both visually and smell-wise, as well as being potentially harmful to both yourself and passengers.
Mold spores can penetrate both your lungs and skin and lead to serious health problems, particularly for people who have lung diseases, allergies or poor immunity systems. They pose particular danger for those suffering from lung or immune system conditions or with compromised immunity systems.
Keep Your Car Clean
Maintaining the cleanliness of your car or SUV is vital in order to avoid mold growth, with dirt and spilled liquids commonly responsible. Mold growth often appears on seat upholstery, carpets and steering wheels causing serious health issues for drivers and passengers.
Clean your air conditioner vents regularly to remove dust build-up in these tight spaces, keeping a soft painting brush handy to use to get into those hard-to-reach places like between your seat and console or within door compartments.
Another way to maintain the cleanliness of your car is preventing debris from entering it in the first place. Have a designated spot in which to place garbage; whether that be plastic shopping bags or travel trash containers.
Not only will this help prevent messy situations, but it may also cut back on the amount of cleaning products necessary. Plus, it saves time from having to gather up trash later!
Vacuum It Regularly
Mold thrives on damp and dark surfaces, so regular vacuuming of your car will help remove spores and prevent future growth of mold.
Vacuuming will also keep your car fresh and clean, helping remove any debris that attracts mold – such as food or beverage spills – as well as any debris that might attract it.
As another way of preventing mold growth in your car, airing it out regularly is key to its health and appearance. You can do this either by leaving it sitting in direct sunlight for several minutes, or opening windows so fresh air can enter.
Before cleaning your car, it’s essential that you wear appropriate PPE, such as a face mask and rubber gloves, in order to safeguard both your health and prevent chemicals from seeping into the interior and being inhaled into your lungs. This will protect both of you while you work inside your vehicle – and also can prevent them from absorption through skin or lung tissue.
Keep Your Car in the Sun
Mold growth in your car is one of the worst risks to its value, not only dorking up its smell, but it can also pose health concerns to anyone with lung conditions and low immunity systems.
To avoid this issue, it’s essential that your car stays exposed to sunlight whenever possible. This will reduce its interior temperature while killing any mold growth that might exist inside it.
Additionally, increasing airflow through your car will make it harder for mold to form in it and provide for a more pleasant driving experience.
Maintaining your car in direct sunlight will also help prevent the formation of mildew that could damage its upholstery and dashboard, or use a fungicide spray to destroy any that may exist in your car.
Wear Protective Gear
Mold can form on a car that has been sitting idle for an extended period, due to its exposed position and excessive temperatures and moisture levels.
People suffering from lung diseases, skin issues, allergies or having a weak immune system are particularly prone to respiratory tract infections that cause wheezing, skin or eye irritation, nasal congestion, fever and shortness of breath symptoms.
Avoiding exposure is strongly advised for their wellbeing.
In order to prevent mold growth on a vehicle, it’s best to store it in a garage or use a waterproof car cover whenever possible and clean regularly to maintain clean and dry surfaces.
Protective gear will also aid in the fight against mold growth. PPE includes safety vests, suits and gloves designed to shield you from flames and sparks as well as toxic chemicals, radiation exposure and insect bites.