I only take my Bel Air out of the garage a few times a year: on the first sunny day of summer, for our anniversary, for a few car shows, and usually on the last sunny day of fall before it goes back under the car cover for its winter hibernation. Because I don’t drive my Chevy that often, moisture occasionally gets locked in and mold forms. If you’ve found mold in your car, let me share a few tips on how to take care of the moldy situation.

Step 1 – Inspection: Even if you only see one spot of mold, that doesn’t mean there isn’t more hiding somewhere else. Take a look all over the vehicle… on the seat upholstery and steering wheel, under the seats and mats, under the carpet (if you’re able to pull up a corner or edge), and even under the dashboard. Also look up at the headliner. If you miss any spots, your mold problem will only get worse.

Step 2 – Preparation: Once you’ve located all of the problem areas, prepare to treat them. If the carpeting is wet, remove what you can for it to dry outside. Then take a wet/dry vac with a HEPA filter to the rest. When dealing with more than one spot of mold, I suggest taking out the seats so it’s easier to move around in the car. If the seats also have mold, definitely take them out. I recommend wearing an N95 face mask and latex gloves while removing seats/carpeting and while doing any mold removal. Of course, if your mold problem is really out of control, you may want a respirator mask (the ones with charcoal filters) and long rubber gloves. On hot sunny days, park the car outside with the doors open for a few hours to help dry out the interior before doing any cleaning.

Step 3 – Cleaning: On automotive interiors, you have lots of options. A bleach and water mix is a common suggestion, but by adding water you add moisture and quite possibly invite mold back in if it doesn’t dry completely. Not to mention bleach may discolor your interior. Instead, try straight vinegar in a spray bottle to treat the mold. Don’t just spray the spot. Spread out at least 12 inches around the affected area. For parts with a heavy concentration of mold, such as a steering wheel or seat, spray the whole thing. The deeper the vinegar soaks in, the more likely it is to kill all the mold so don’t be shy with the spray bottle. Just try not to over-saturate the area or it will take longer to dry it out. Leave the vinegar on for about 15 minutes, then vacuum or wipe off the remaining vinegar. Dry the car out, either in the sun or with a hair dryer, and sprinkle baking soda on the areas you just treated. Let it sit for five minutes, taking in any remaining moisture from the vinegar, and then vacuum or wipe down the area again.

Step 4 – Prevention: Now that you’ve done all that hard work, prevent mold from making your car its home again. Spray the entire vehicle with an antimicrobial cleaner (I use Concrobium, but there are other products available) and let it dry completely. Regular use and cleaning of your ride is the best way to prevent mold from returning. But, if your car is not a daily driver, be vigilant of any leaks that may allow moisture to enter your interior. In some instances, it may just be water tracked in or spilled drinks (gasp!) that wasn’t taken care of before covering up the car.

In extreme cases where mold has taken over the entire interior of the vehicle, consider having a professional detailer treat your car. It may require using an ozone machine and heavier cleaning agents to fully remove mold spores from all the nooks and crannies.