removing musty/mildew smell from van interior?

Question

water leakage inside van until detected by musty smell. Pulled carpet, cleaned by Service Master, competely air dried still on being shut up the faint smell returns. want rid of it.

Answer 1

ODO-BAN is a waterbased bacterial and fungicidal cleaner that will work miracles for THAT exact use.

I had a ice chest of rotten shrimp accidentally overspill in my truck and it took it out!

Here is their website but I buy it at Sams Club.
http://www.odoban.com/OdoBanRetail/OdorOdoBanRTU.html

Answer 2

Bunk has the right answer, charcoal will absorb odors, you can place it under seats on a plastic sandwich bag, you will be surprised how well it works, plus leave the windows down on the van on nice days if at all possible. You can also purchase a product called OUT in the pet section of Walmart, this will kill the odor if you spray it on the carpet, plus it has a fresh smell, along with the charcoal it should eliminate it altogether.

Answer 3

If can keep the animals and kids out of it,
use charcoal the old fashion kind ( no starter fluid in it)
Get a plastic container (like a dish pan or such) put the charcoal bag in it, just open the bag. The charcoal will absorb the smell and the plastic container will keep the coals in one place.

Answer 4

go to the local home repair place (home depot, lowes, etc) and buy a non-bleaching cleaner designed for mold and mildew. dilute it and spray everything. When the van was wet and closed up I am sure condensation got on everything. Be sure to test the cleaner in a non-conspicuous place first. Be sure to get up under the dash and get the headliner. Don't soak everything, just mist it a few times. That should do it.

Answer 5

I heard the other day on the radio that you have to replace the padding.......cleaning the carpet helps but it is the pad that really holds the smell and the mold itself.