Mold is always bad news. It’s ugly, stinks, and spreads quickly. Finding it in your car is even worse. If you find mold on the carpet, you must remove it immediately before it spreads throughout the rest of the vehicle’s interior.
Tips on How to Remove Mold From the Car Carpet
Eliminating mold on the car carpet isn’t the only thing you need to do. You must also take steps to prevent it from coming back.
The following recommendations can help you remove mold from the carpet in your car and keep it from coming back for a long time:
Put On Protective Gear
Mold might not look like much to the unknowing eye, but it’s dangerous to handle without proper protection. Always wear safety gear before removing mold from the carpet in your car.
Change into coveralls to prevent mold from contaminating your clothes. You will also need the following protective gear:
- Work goggles/work glasses
- Face mask/respirator
- Face shield
- Rubber boots
- Rubber gloves
Each protective gear plays a role in keeping you safe while removing mold from the car carpet. The protective eye gear and face shield prevent irritating mold spores from reaching your eyes. Likewise, the gloves protect the bare skin on your hands from coming into direct contact with mold. Finally, the medical-grade mask or respirator keeps spores out of your respiratory system, protecting you from asthma and other respiratory ailments.
Find Out What Makes the Mold Grow
Mold flourishes in moist conditions. If there’s mold on your car carpet, something nearby provides moisture for its growth. Search for the moisture source, such as a fluid leak or high humidity caused by the environment or HVAC system.
Remove Moldy Items
Mold spreads quite quickly through airborne spores. Remove anything that shows signs of contamination, such as floor mats on the moldy carpet. You must either clean or dispose of the moldy items.
Vacuum the Affected Area
After removing the moldy parts and accessories, use a vacuum cleaner to suck up loose mold spores around the contaminated carpet. It helps prevent mold from returning to the affected area.
Apply Mold Cleaner
Remove the mold from the carpet using a mold cleaner. The following are recommended mold cleaners:
- White vinegar
- Non-iodized salt
- Clove oil and baking soda
- Baking soda
- Special cleaning agents
Each mold cleaner has strengths and weaknesses. For example, white vinegar is effective but leaves a strong smell that you must remove with an air freshener. A salt-based solution, meanwhile, can cause corrosion and rust in nearby steel parts.
Dry the Cleaned Car Carpet
Whatever you use to clean the moldy car carpet, ensure the part dries completely. Moisture encourages mold growth, so reducing the humidity will make it harder for mold to grow. If you want to speed up the drying process, run a dehumidifier or fan to remove more moisture.
Use Mold-Resistant Formulas or Treatments
Apply a carpet cleaner formulated to prevent the return of mold. Alternatively, treat the carpet with a chemical that blocks mold growth.
Why Is Mold Bad For You?
Mold is a type of fungus that grows in areas that have little airflow, warm temperatures, and high humidity for long periods. The most dangerous mold species are Stachybotrys chlorohalonata and Stachybotrys chartarum, collectively called black mold.
Mold can cause health problems for people with allergies to the fungus or issues like lung diseases, skin diseases, and a weak immune system. Even healthy people should avoid exposing themselves to mold.
Touching mold can lead to medical issues, such as eye irritations, fever, and skin irritations. If inhaled, they can cause respiratory problems, including shortness of breath, stuffy nose, and wheezing.
What Causes Mold to Grow on the Car Carpet?
Knowing what causes mold growth lets you take steps to prevent it from happening. Here are the most common reasons for mold growing on the carpet:
High Moisture and Humidity
Mold grows in places with lots of water. It thrives in moist and humid areas, such as carpets that get wet from condensation or leaks.
Warm Temperatures
In addition to moisture, mold likes it warm. The combination of warm temperatures and humidity can encourage mold growth on surfaces like the carpet.
Darkness and Poor Air Circulation
Mold also loves dark places, especially ones with poor air circulation. The perfect home for mold is somewhere wet, warm, and dark that doesn’t receive enough airflow.
Food Source
Mold gets its nourishment from dirt and organic matter. A dirty carpet can provide plenty of sustenance for the fungus, especially if the dirt includes uneaten food.
Preventing Mold Growth on the Carpet
In addition to cleaning the moldy carpet, you can perform the following steps to prevent mold from growing in your car:
Fix Moisture Issues
The water has to come from somewhere. It might be condensation, a leak, or another issue. Whatever the moisture source, find and fix it.
Maintain a Clean and Dry Interior
Keep the carpet clean with regular washing, drying, and vacuuming. Don’t leave anything that can nourish mold. Run the AC to help reduce the humidity in the interior. You can also use a dedicated dehumidifier.
Use Mold-Resistant Carpet Cleaner or Treatment
Some commercial carpet cleaners use a special formula for long-lasting protection against mold. You can also apply a mold-resistant treatment on the carpet.
Sufficient Ventilation
Run the A/C in its fresh air mode. The A/C will draw fresh air from outside the vehicle. Also, check the cabin air filter. If it’s dirty, replace it to help keep the air clean.
If your vehicle is in a clean, dry, and safe location, open the windows slightly. The openings will improve ventilation.
Mold is an unpleasant and dangerous thing to find in your vehicle. However, you can safely remove mold from the carpet in your car and prevent it from coming back.
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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
