Updated at: 10-06-2022 - By: Lucas

In a heavy rain, you left your windows open. You didn’t put the lid on that almost full water bottle well enough. There are many ways that water can damage the inside of your car. And if that water isn’t dried right, mould will grow everywhere.

Mold grows best in places that are dark, damp, and warm. The real key is moisture, so keeping your car dry and well-ventilated is the best way to keep mould away. If you get water in your car by accident and start to smell that musty, mouldy smell, there are a few ways to stop the mould from growing.

Let the Sun Shine In

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The first and best thing to do is to get your car out of the garage and park it in a nice, sunny spot. Open all the windows, the sunroof (if you have one), and the doors, and let nature dry your car. Sunshine and a cool breeze are very helpful.

It’s important to remember that breathing in some moulds can be bad for your health. If you have a serious mould problem in your car, you should wear rubber gloves and a face mask so you don’t touch or breathe in the mould. If the problem isn’t too bad, all you’ll need is a stiff-bristled brush for fabric upholstery, clean rags for leather or vinyl, white vinegar, a spray bottle, and some disinfectant spray.

Tackling the Issue

First, put vinegar in that spray bottle. If you want to kill mould, there’s no need to water down the vinegar. Test the vinegar on a part of the fabric that won’t be seen, just to make sure that nothing goes wrong. If the spray test works, use your vinegar to spray the mouldy area. Don’t be afraid to really soak this area, which is obviously dirty. Spray the white vinegar until it covers an area about a foot away from where you can see mould. It’s possible for spores to be growing even if they can’t be seen yet, so hit the areas around just in case. Give the vinegar some time to soak. Most of the time, ten to twenty minutes is enough.

If your seats are made of fabric, use that bristle brush to scrub them until all the mould is gone. This might take more than one try, so don’t be afraid to soak the area again or a third time with vinegar and keep scrubbing. Once you’ve gotten rid of the mould, use your disinfecting spray on the area that was once infected. This spray will kill the mould that is still there and help stop spores from growing again.

If your seats are made of leather or vinyl, you won’t have to use the brush. Instead, put the vinegar on the infected area and the areas around it and let it sit for 10 to 20 minutes. Then, get a clean cloth and wipe away the mould. Like with the cloth seats, you may need to reapply the vinegar and wipe it down a second or third time. You should spray disinfectant on the places you just cleaned.

Keep opening the windows and letting the car dry out in the sun. The vinegar smell will go away, and in a few days, your car should not smell bad anymore. Back to driving cleanly for you! Enjoy your car now that the mould is gone.

Lingering Mold Smell

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If you keep smelling mould, it means you missed some mould. Check the floor mats and under the seats. If you can’t see any mould, the best thing to do is to talk to a professional. The smells could mean that mould is hiding in a hard-to-reach place, which you don’t want to happen.

1 thought on “The Secret To Eliminating Mold On Your Car Seats”

MichaelAlden 12 March 2020, 3:40 a.m. If water gets inside the car, it can leave stains. Mix together three parts soft water and one part vinegar to make a solution.

If water gets inside the car, it can leave stains. Mix together three parts soft water and one part vinegar to make a solution.