How do I get a musty odor out of my 6-year-old car?

Question

You know that older car smell (mold, mildew); what will get rid of it?

Answer 1

You may want to take it to an automotive detailer. Most used car dealers send their better cars to a detailer to clean them up before putting them back on the lot. For $100 to $300 you can get that almost new look and smell for your own car. Ask the dealer you bought the car from who does this for them. Also, check the yellow pages.

Answer 2

Ozone machines work well on this. You have to clean the heck out of the car first though to get rid of as much of the actual mold and mildew. You didn't mention what sort of vehicle as some are prone to mold and mildew in the ac unit and that can be cleaned out with some special cleaners that are foamed into the ac unit in the dash. Dealer can give more info on this as can car repair shops. Depending on the type of vehicle can be a simple or hard job. Ozone machines are available on the internet and I bought mine through:
http://www.ozone1.com/products/index.html Were good folks to deal with and we have used it for removing smells from our houses, rv and autos. Removes stinky cigarette smell as well. These are used in bigger models by the companies that treat houses after fire and water damage to remove the smells that just won't go away.

Answer 3

Well I would think you should open the windows during the day and let some fresh air get in there. Has it been closed up? I would also clean it out really well. Then you can get a car freshener. that would help. You can also get bounce drier sheets and put under the seats. They smell good and are supposed to absorbe the smell. You could try oust or fabrese. They are supposed to iliminate odors.

Answer 4

check with your local new or used car dealers. they may have a company that comes around to remove odors the process is they put an ozone machine in the vehicle that removes the odor.

Another way is to start the car turn the HVAC fan on low. Pour some bleach in to the cowl.(where your wipers are) cycle the blend air door(change where it is blowing ie:defrost - vent -heat - bi level) then use fabreze on the interior. do not forget about the headliner.

Leave the car running through each process with the fan circulating air.


good luck

Answer 5

Febreze works--get the one with the orange top, it's the "antibacterial"...
Steam clean first tho, gets the deep-down funk out.

Answer 6

selling the car is the only way i know ...
that is why flood waters total a car...

Answer 7

damp-rid