How to Get Rid of Mold in a Car

Notice a musty or moldy smell in your vehicle? You need to take care of that problem quickly because mold can get out of hand in short order. Warning signs of mold in your car can include a smell like sour milk or discoloration on the seats and carpet. 

To start, clean and vacuum the inside of the car. Then you can take care of the mold itself with tried-and-true mold removal methods. Find out how to get mold out of your car with the steps we outline in this guide from the experts at our dealership near Williamstown.

How to Get Mold Out of a Car

Car mold removal represents one important step to keeping your car clean. If you’re getting ready to sell your vehicle, mold removal is crucial.

See how to get rid of mold in a car with these steps:

1. Remove any trash or other items from the inside of the car. Mold can spread quickly, especially on wet clothing or wet spills.
2. Water damage from a sudden Sicklerville rainstorm can cause mold to form. Allow the interior to dry completely before cleaning.
3. Use a dry vacuum to clean the car upholstery. Be sure to vacuum everything thoroughly, including under and between the seats, to get every bit of debris, dust, and dirt. 
4. Choose your mold cleaner. White vinegar and hot water in a spray bottle is a popular option. However, even more powerful is carefully adding baking soda to the mix. This odor remover is particularly effective against black mold. One part water and one part color-safe bleach can also work, but you’ll want to test a patch in an out-of-the-way area first. Otherwise, bleach could discolor the upholstery.
5. With all of your vehicle doors open, spray down the interior of the vehicle. You can use these cleaners on any area of the vehicle, not just areas with mold growth.
6. If you’re finding it hard to remove mold from the car’s interior, try using the upholstery attachment on a wet-dry vacuum.
7. After you’re finished wiping down the car, leave the car windows down, so the interior can dry. Otherwise, you run the risk of the mold returning even after using liquids designed to kill and remove mold in a car.

More Tips on Getting Rid of Mold in a Car

Follow this advice to ensure that you safely handle car mold removal:

• If you find black mold in your car, use a dust mask. It can irritate the lungs and cause breathing problems. A mask can also make it easier to breathe if you have strong bleach or vinegar fumes.
• Enzyme-based cleaners will handle many types of mold, and they can be found in most hardware stores. Enzymes might be safer than white vinegar or bleach, depending on your needs. Make sure to follow the directions on the bottle of the enzyme-based cleaner for best results.
• While you can take your car to be detailed at a car wash, it’s unlikely they’ll be able to tackle the problem because they aren’t trained to remove mold in a car. You’ll need to take care of it yourself or search for a dedicated car cleaning service.
• Spray down the entire vehicle when cleaning to truly kill the mold. Mold spores can travel to areas that don’t look affected. That’s why you should thoroughly clean the entire interior of the vehicle.

Ask the Team at Cadillac Of Turnersville for Mold Removal Advice

If you choose to purchase a new or used vehicle from Cadillac Of Turnersville, you’re guaranteed a clean interior that’s free from mold. Our team reconditions every vehicle and makes sure it’s up to our high standards. 

If you have more questions about our maintenance services or getting rid of mold in your car, contact us, call (856) 672-4031, or schedule a service appointment with our team. We’re happy to help in any way we can for your automotive needs in Mullica Hill.