How to Remove Mildew Odors from a Car

Left the windows open in a rainstorm? The resulting mildew not only stinks--it can be indicative of mold in your vehicle. Getting at the source is the first step in returning your car's interior to its pre-shower state.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Towel
• Baking Soda
• Window Cleaner
• Odor Absorber and/or Enzyme Cleaner
• Cotton Swabs
• Hair Dryer

1. Try to find the source of the odor. Check rugs, upholstery and air conditioning vents for signs of mold or moisture.

2. Thoroughly dry the affected area by soaking up any liquid with a towel, then use a hair dryer to dry it completely.

3. Remove the floor mats and lay them out in the sun for a few days if the weather permits and if they are the source of the odor.

4. Sprinkle baking soda over the floor and upholstery of affected areas. Work it into the rugs with your hands.

5. Let it remain at least overnight and then vacuum.

6. Use a commercial odor absorber or enzyme cleaner according to directions if some odor remains.

7. Clean air conditioner vents with a cotton swab dipped in window cleaner. If you still smell mildew in your air conditioning system, try running the heater full-blast for 10 minutes to dry it out, leaving the windows open.

8. Take the car for a professional interior cleaning if all else fails.

Tips & Warnings

• Charcoal briquettes help absorb moisture and odors. Put them under the seats and let them remain until odor is gone.
• On warm days, leave the car windows open to let the car air out.
• Floor mats are easily replaceable and it may be easier to replace them than to remove the mildew odor.
• If the mildew smell remains in your air conditioning vents, try an odor- or mildew-eliminating spray (like Lysol) or a spray product especially made for air conditioning systems.
• Be careful that the hair dryer doesn't overheat or come in contact with anything in the car that is not heat-resistant.
• If moisture has penetrated into seat pads, you may have to replace them in order to eradicate the smell.

[terriober]

on 4/23/2009 One word: mildont (at mildont.com)Haven't used it, don't need it. Looks cool.

[Jerry1]

on 12/11/2008 I own one of the largest new and Used-car dealerships in Southern California. We get cars in here with every kind of odor you can imagine. Mold and mildew odors, cigarette cigar odors, pet odors, sour milk odor vomit odor. You get the picture. We have tried almost every product on the market. We recently discovered a new product that stands head and shoulders above everything else we've tried. It's called Auto Vaccine. Its new technology, really easy to use. just add water in a cup and let it go to work. The stuff will remove the toughest odors, and it's completely safe for people pets and the environment. You can find it on a website called BiocideSystems.com

[Ginarealtor]

on 11/29/2008 Be very careful with ozone generators, you need to go on the EPA website and see what they say about it.
I am also hypersensitive to odors. There is a great new product on the market that will remove the odor completely and permanently better than anything else available. It uses new technology that makes it really easy to use and very inexpensive! I am a real estate agent and use it to remove odors out of homes. It's completely safe and easy to use. The product that is designed specifically for cars is called Auto Vaccine. You can get it with a money back guarantee on a website called biocidesystems.com.
It even cleans out the air-conditioning filters, so the odor doesn't come back. It actually removes the odor it doesn't mask it or cover it up in any way. Try it its excellent!

[ecodiscoveries]

on 5/30/2008 If that above method fails, you could try AirZyme. You can see their site, www.ecodiscoveries.com for some of the enzyme products.

[sergio702]

on 9/27/2007 Auto shops and auto detailers use ozone generators to remove odors from cars. I work for a smoke and odor remediation company and we use them to get rid of all kinds of odors and even mold.