Car Care Resolutions in the New Year: 5 for 2020
Recent research has determined that the germiest place in the home is not the toilet. The area with the most germs and bacteria are child car seats. The study found over 30 different types of bacteria living on a typical car seat.
Mold and bacteria are not things to take lightly. Mold buildup can lead to health problems. If your car is your second home, keep it clean and mold-free.
What can dirty car seats do to you and your children’s health? While vehicle owners may regularly wash their car, it’s essential to keep the inside clean as well. Continue reading to learn about the dangers of mold and how to prevent it from taking over your car.
Why Does Mold Form in Our Cars?
Mold thrives in damp and warm areas. If you like to leave your windows cracked or forget to close your sunroof after a storm, you’ve just created the perfect environment for mold. Even something as simple as spilling water on your car seat can lead to mold growth.
Once the moisture is there, mold will colonize quickly. And once the mold begins growing, it’s difficult to completely remove all of the fungi from your car.
Mold spreads fast and can colonize in small nooks and crannies of your car’s interior. In the worst-case scenario, mold may dig itself into your seating foam.
What Dirty Car Seats Do to Your Health
Black mold is one of the most dangerous types of mold. The fungi are unhealthy to breathe in and can lead to a variety of health problems, such as the following:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Allergic reactions
- Confusion
- Abdominal pain
- Throat irritation and coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Skin irritation
A 2004 research study found indoor mold exposure was connected with upper respiratory tract symptoms and induced asthma symptoms in people with asthma.
Researchers determined indoor mold exposure leads to respiratory illnesses in otherwise healthy children.
Prevent Mold from Infesting Your Car
Prevent dirty car seats due to a mold outbreak by eliminating moisture in your vehicle. Try to park your vehicle in sunlight as often as you can. Mold thrives in darkness, so the natural light can reduce your chances of a fungi infestation.
If you spill liquid in your car or water leaks into your vehicle, clean it up as soon as possible. You can use a hairdryer to dry the moisture quickly, or if the weather is nice, leave your windows open and let nature dry your interior. Keep in mind that mold works quickly, so get the wet area dry as fast as possible.
If your car seats are infected with mold, don’t panic.
First, remove any baby car seats from your vehicle and wash them with warm and soapy water. Take the cover off and send it through the washing machine. Leave the seat in the sun to completely dry it before placing the car seat back into your vehicle.
For the rest of your car, vacuum your dirty car seats. Be sure to reach every small area as well as your car’s seatbelts.
Use white distilled vinegar to kill any remaining mold and to disinfect your vehicle’s interior. Scrub the vinegar into your car seats and let the areas dry completely by opening all of your vehicle’s doors and windows.
Make Your Vehicle Shine
Once you’ve taken care of your dirty car seats, don’t forget to take proper care of your vehicle’s exterior. Treat your car to a specialty wash to remove any remaining sludge and grime.
Jupiter Inlet Car Wash offers a variety of car wash packages that will make your vehicle shine brighter than the Florida sun. Click here to explore all of our offerings.
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