How to Remove Mould and Mildew from Your Car

There are many things on our planet that there’s no escape from; mould is one of them. This pesky fungus can grow anywhere and can take over if you do not remove it. Your car is susceptible to mould growth as well. Mould not only ruins the look but it can also cause an influx of health issues.

At the same time, there’s mildew, which is also a fungus. While being more easily treatable than mould, it can still do cosmetic damage. This is why it is imperative that you take steps to ensure that these fungi don’t prop up. But even if they do, you should be able to perform a proper mould detailing process.

For that, the following piece should guide you on how to remove mould and mildew from your car.

 

What is Mould? Mould vs. Mildew. Why Should You Remove Mould and Mildew ASAP?

As mentioned above, mould is a fungus of sorts. It can be easily identified by its dark green colour. Mould tends to form where it is hot yet wet. A simple mould spot can continuously grow if there’s a lot of humidity available in the air.

There are many reasons for mould growth. Even leaving a wet fabric or a piece of wood for a long time can cause it. Unclean vehicles with a lot of rubbish are well-suited for mould. Similarly, unused vehicles in particularly moist areas are also susceptible to this.

Mould has many negative health effects starting from irritation, all the way to fever. Then there’s mildew, which is white or grey in colour and many may find it difficult to spot it. Mildew isn’t as harmful as mould but it can negatively impact your health later on. Both the fungi smell pretty bad.

 

The Steps for Removing Mould and Mildew from Your Car

Mould removal is a relatively complex process and there are many ways to do it. You could use non-iodised salt, clove oil, baking soda, and even dish soap. But perhaps the most effective way to do it is to use white vinegar. In our tips, we’ll definitely be recommending this. The following are the steps:

Find The Mould

You need to start by looking for the mould. Make sure that you wear a mask and gloves so as to protect yourself from irritation. Take your car into sunlight and open its windows. Then you need to allow the smell to leave the vehicle. This will also allow the fresh air to enter the vehicle.

You are also recommended to remove any damp objects from the vehicle. Then, you may look for circular mould spots in your car’s interior. Make sure to look long and hard in every single crevice of the vehicle. Identifying the mould spots shall give you an idea of where to focus.

Prepare for The Process

Remove the vehicle’s seat covers and mats. You’ll need the following things to effectively remove mould:

• White vinegar (distilled)
• Spray bottle
• Toothbrush
• Car vacuum cleaner
• Some microfibre towels
• Borax powder
• Air freshener

For the vinegar solution, you’ll need to mix it with water in a 4:1 ratio. Put this solution into your spray bottle and mix it up. This will break them up and make the process easier. At the same time, you can use a toothbrush to scrape on the mould patches.

The vacuum cleaner can be a wet-dry one or a regular one if you cannot find the former. The leftover residue can be vacuumed using the vacuum cleaner mentioned above.

Disinfect The Area

Now that you have everything ready, you may spray away. After spraying on everything, you need to let the disinfectant sit for about twenty minutes. At the same time, it is recommended that you open the car’s doors so that the smell of vinegar doesn’t stay for too long.

Use the microfibre towels to wipe on all the components with vinegar on them. This should give you a good shine on the trim as well. You are recommended to let the whole car dry out. Vacuum everything again and if you have leather seats, use a reconditioner to restore them.

Wash The Area

Wash the mats and the covers if you took them out. Use an air freshener to get out the smell of vinegar. Some detailing experts will also recommend that you use borax powder to get rid of any stains on the upholstery.

Mould Prevention Tips

Mould and mildew can come back in cars depending on the climate they’re driven in. Hence it is important that you keep some things in mind if you need to prevent their growth. You are recommended to keep your car dry by parking it inside.

You can take this a step further by always ensuring that your windows are closed. Also, you should try to avoid eating and letting others eat in your car. Bits of food fall inside the car and act as fuel for the mould. Try to disinfect your car from time to time using the techniques mentioned above.

Conclusion

So, that was a comprehensive guide on removing mould from your car. It is important that if you remove it, you should ensure steps to keep the car mould-free later on. There are several other methods that you can use besides vinegar and you may try some of them.

If you’re not a DIY person like most, you may reach out to us at Medusa Auto Detailing. We are a rapidly growing mobile car valeting and detailing service in London. We’ll remove all the mould for you at your house with the proper tools and techniques.

Have a look at our Mould & Sanitisation Service