Mold can be a huge issue for automobiles depending on a lot of difficult-to-control factors. One step that a lot of people consider to get rid of mold in their vehicles is hiring a car detailing service.
Well, having the car detailed can help dramatically, but we’re going to explain how mold gets there and why car detailing can help.
What Causes Mold in Cars?
Mold can be caused by a lot of things, and while detailing can certainly help, it’s always best to avoid it in the first place.
Here are some of the things that produce mold growth:
1. Wet Shoes on Your Floorboard
Whenever it rains, you step in puddles, or otherwise get your shoes wet, you probably don’t stop to meticulously dry your shoes before getting into your car. We don’t blame you. That’d be ridiculous.
However, that’s an easy way for mold to start growing. It introduces moisture into the fabric lining of your floorboards, and that can lead to mildew and mold growth.
2. Food and Drink Spilling
If you have kids, or you’re not the neatest person while trying to stuff some sort of sustenance in during your morning commute, you know what it’s like to have something slip or spill and not have the time to clean it.
Well, spilling something and not cleaning it up immediately can feed mold growth. Unfortunately, that can be difficult to do. Especially with spills that slide into difficult-to-reach spots.
3. Bad Seals
Your car is sealed up pretty tightly around the doors and windows to prevent rainwater from coming in. However, if that seal degrades, or you leave a window slightly ajar, moisture can get in and fester. This is probably the fastest way to get a mold infestation in your car.
How Does Car Detailing Remove Mold from Your Car?
Car detailing is essentially a very in-depth cleaning process. So, naturally, it typically means any mold in your car will get taken care of. However, it’s more impressive than some specialists scrubbing your floor mats.
It doesn’t help to get rid of easily visible mold if you don’t know what’s causing it. A few weeks after you clean it, you’ll notice mold again.
Well, once you have chosen a detailing service, their team isn’t just going to scrub the mold away. They’ll be able to identify what’s causing the mold. Sometimes, they can fix this issue as part of the detailing process depending on the services offered. If not, they can at least let you know and refer you to a mechanic to get that fixed as soon as possible and prevent further issues. Either way, it’s a lot better than just cleaning what’s visible and having the same problem shortly after.
Why Professional Auto Detailing Makes a Difference
Professional auto detailers have access to far more effective chemicals and tools. If you see mold, you can fix the visible part of the problem easily. Soap and water will scrub it right up. However, it takes a lot more than that to actually eradicate an infestation.
Finally, the team will detail the entire car. This ensures that you don’t just clean up the mold and hopefully fix the issue that caused it, but it also gets rid of any spores that have flown around and started producing mold in other parts of the car, too.
In short, this is a far more extensive solution to the mold problem that produces more benefits than simply cleaning up moldy flooring.
How to Tell If You Have a Mold Problem and Need Detailing Work
Getting your car detailed regularly is always a great option and a good way to ensure its longevity. It helps keep parts from corroding, prevents paint damage, and on top of making it far more comfortable due to cleanliness.
However, we know that not everybody is looking to pamper their car constantly. So, how do you know you need your car detailed to deal with a mold issue rather than maintaining regular appointments? It’s not too difficult.
Here are the signs of mold in your car:
1. You Can Smell It
This is often the first thing people realize when a mold infestation impacts their car. A lot of the time, it’s not even visible because it’s hidden in a tight crevice of the car or under floor mats.
Well, if you smell a strong mildew scent, it’s like that mold is either already growing, or will start growing soon. Especially if the car smells all the time.
2. Visual Mold and Water Damage
If you can visually see mold, it’s time to call a detailing service and get that taken care of. It’s usually fuzzy and has a variety of colors depending on the type of mold it is, but if it’s in fabric, it can easily look like simple discoloration or a stain.
However, it’s not just visible mold that is a good sign to get started. If you see water staining from a seal leaking or a similar issue, mold is likely to develop, and you should take preemptive action.
3. Allergy Attacks
Finally, if you’re particularly sensitive to allergens, you’re almost certain to be affected by mold growth in your car. Depending on your allergy, you might have trouble breathing, develop migraines, sneeze, and have a runny nose. You know how you typically respond to allergens.
If that starts happening in your car, even if you can’t see or smell mold, it’s likely mold.
The only thing to consider with this tip is whether or not you’ve added a deodorizer. Sometimes, those things might smell good, but they can trigger similar reactions.
Find the Right Car Detailing Service to Fight Your Mold Problem
If you have a mold issue in your car, it’s a little more serious than most interior issues that commonly pop up. Mold can affect your health, trigger allergies, and of course, make your car uncomfortable to be in. You need a high-quality detailing service that understands mold, how it grows, and the possible extent of seemingly small issues.
Finetactic Detailing is ready to help. We’ll remove the mold and restore a fresh, clean interior. And while we’re at it, why not give your car’s exterior the same VIP treatment? With expert paint correction and ceramic coating, we’ll have your car looking as good as it feels inside. Contact us today and let’s make every detail count!