Car Mildew Removal

Mildew in the interior of a car needs to be thoroughly cleaned.

Water that has penetrated into your car, from an open window or a leak, can cause mildew odors to occur. Once mildew odors are detected, the interior of the car will need to be cleaned to prevent additional mold from occurring. Removing mildew from your car can be done by first determining where in your car the mildew smell is located.

Things You'll Need

• Wet-dry vac
• Dish soap
• Bucket
• Scrub brush
• Baking soda

Instructions

1. Take the floor mats out of the car and thoroughly vacuum the interior with a wet-dry vacuum to remove any remaining water residue.

2. Set up a dehumidifier in the garage and then open all of the car windows. Turn the dehumidifier on and leave it overnight to remove any excess moisture from the car.

3. Shake baking soda on any wet or damp areas on the upholstery or cloth. Wait four to six hours for the baking soda to absorb the mildew smell. Clean the baking soda with the wet-dry vac.

4. Move the car outdoors and open all of the windows. Allow the sun and the air to dry the interior of the car.

5. Start the car and turn on the heater. Let it run for at least five to six minutes to remove any moisture from the air vents.

6. Mix dish soap and water in a bucket and then wash the floor mats with a scrub brush. Rinse the mats with water and leave them to dry outside for a couple of hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Moisture can also be removed by placing charcoal briquettes in the car.

• Cloth car mats that are saturated with water or are covered with mildew may need to be replaced if they cannot be cleaned.

References

• University of Missouri: How to Prevent and Remove Mildew
• My Car Smells Bad: Mold Spores

Resources

• Thrifty Fun: Mildew Smell in Car