Most people “spring clean” their house seasonally, or when the weather is really nice. Here is a new thought – add your car into the mix. Spring cleaning will not only help your car to look nice on the outside, but it could have significant benefits to the health of the driver and the passengers in the vehicle.

According to one online source, condensation in your vehicle’s air conditioning system promotes fungus, mold and bacterial growth that is blown into the passenger compartment. Add to this nauseating smell the sound of an A/C compressor making a clacking sound due to a depletion of oil. But condensation in the air conditioning system isn’t the only cause of bacteria in a vehicle. Cleaning your vehicle is always important, as more mold and bacteria is found in cars than in homes. According to Tampa Bay Online, coffee drinkers and drivers with children have higher germ and bacteria levels in their cars. “According to a new study by the Healthy House Institute, the typical vehicle has more than 283 types of bacteria present in every square inch. Because cars and trucks contain smaller volumes of air, they are better breeding grounds for bacteria.” Vehicles in hotter weather and humid weather were shown as having the highest levels of bacteria, and the dashboard usually has the second highest amount in the vehicle. Between the air conditioner blowing the bacteria and that with the mold growing in the vents or controls, this can really cause some issues with smells, safety, and health when in the car for longer periods of time.

What happens when you intake bacteria and mold? According to one medical site, “microscopic mold spores are easily transported in the air we breathe and can be absorbed into our eyes, nose, throat and lungs. It is estimated that approximately 30 percent of us are allergic to mold and suffer adverse health effects because of it. Many are not aware that the symptoms they are experiencing are due to mold and could be controlled.” Mold exposure can produce a large variety of symptoms which are often overlooked by people and physicians as common, everyday medical complaints. They include: “depression, irritability, anger, fear, coughing, wheezing, runny eyes and nose, muscular aches, chills, fever, headaches, confusion, inability to concentrate, tiredness, fatigue, sleep disorders, hay fever allergy type symptoms, loss of appetite, skin rashes, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allergic rhinitis and asthma.”

The steps to fixing it are easy and quick for your trusted mechanic. Clean out the air conditioning lines, evaporator and ventilator and then kill any bacteria mold or fungi. Then, deodorize the entire A/C system and the vehicles interior. Finally, after a complete inspection for leaks and wear, technicians will measure and replenish the oil in the compressor. The air inside your vehicle will be much cleaner and 4 to 5 degrees cooler, thanks to increased efficiency. A good auto repair shop will check the entire cooling system for any noticeable or “behind-the-scenes” issues to repair or maintain any problems. Live in a hotter location or with high humidity? That, too, can cause more bacteria and mold in your vehicle. The humidity can also cause condensation within the air conditioning system creating a breeding ground for unwanted bacteria, mold, and fungi. Get your vehicle’s climate controls checked soon to ensure the health of you and your passengers. Air conditioning systems need to be kept completely dry to ensure that no bacteria and mold are being spread throughout your vehicle. Maintain the air conditioning system yearly, and prevent dangerous side effects to both your vehicle, and your passengers.