Question from Jill
I have MCS . My old (and well tolerated) car was totaled in an accident. I finally got so desperate for a car (I live in mountains and have a child), that I bought a 2011 Subaru that had no detailing prior. I thought it might be old enough to be off gassed. I bought it from out of town and unfortunately didn’t have a long enough test time.
My former car (2003) had leather seats and I did fine with them – liked that they were so easy to clean if stuff got on them, especially scents.
Unfortunately, after spending enough time in the new car, I’m reacting terribly to the leather seats and leather steering wheel. After researching, I’m learning that it might actually be “fake” leather made from vinyl and some leather treated with chemicals, painted, and then impregnated with a “leather” scent. Either way – the leather – real or not – is causing terrible reactions. I saw online that even people without MCS have reactions to newer leather in cars, too.
I’m trying everything (super cleaned with baking soda, vinegar, safe cleaners, baked out in sun) and just bought seat covers in the hopes that will help. But the reactions are pretty severe. I’m wondering if anyone has ideas. I’m a but cautious to try ozone. Not sure if that has worked for others.
I did test out a lot of cars prior and didn’t do well in any. Mold issues are also a problem so older cars often have those. Not sure if I should try selling the car and search yet again for another, knowing none will be perfect, or keep working at this, and if so, how.
Thanks!
Debra’s Answer
Readers, any suggestions?
I provide cleaning-related services for customers w/ allergies, asthma and MCS.
Last year or so, a customer with asthma / MCS bought a used car, and was reacting to offgassing and fragrance. To her family and I, the odors were very mild. But to my customer, the odors were very strong.
I cleaned the car basically the way you cleaned yours, though details may differ.
“70% Better” said my customer. But she could not tolerate the remaining 30%. So she took the car to a pro detailer, and instructed them to clean w/ water only. The car was “no better” afterward, so she sold it to her son.
On top of chemical vinyl treatments, there could be fragrances from previous cleaning and “freshening”. Maybe even injected into the air conditioning system. Or so the rumor goes.
Are there any porous materials, like foam or fleece linings? It’s difficult— if not impossible— to completely clean them.
Needless to say, any mass-produced car may have similar problems.
Ask an indoor air quality engineer-type about using an ozone machine. If you learn anything, we’d love to hear back from you! I offered to find out about this for my customer, but she chose to sell the car instead.
If all else fails… Have you tried NAET for your MCS? One of my former customers had great success w/ it, after having severe MCS. http://www.naet.com/
Have tried spiritual healing? Four of my previous customers had great success, after having the most severe MCS. They’re now living normal, mainstream American lives.
Let us know what works for you!
I suggest contacting the manufacturer prior to purchase to determine fabric or fiber content. It may still be beneficial to contact them after your purchase to determine what type of fiber you are dealing with now. If mold is a big consideration in your purchase of an older car, buy a vehicle located in a low humidity area of the country. Long distance vehicle purchases are not unusual. I have both purchased and sold vehicles several States and a thousand plus miles distant. New and used vehicles. Factor your air fare and return driving expenses into your purchase price. I have only had one dry run where I arrived and then refused to buy the vehicle.