Cars that are stuck in high flood waters or have their doors open when it rains can get the inside wet, especially on the carpet and floors. To prevent mold from growing there and under it, remove the carpet, and use a shop vac (wet and dry vacuum cleaner) to suck up the water, then use a fan to help remove the moisture from the car. After that, you may need to use a moisture-removing product to get rid of any remaining water in the car.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Removing Stagnant Water
Step 1. Place the car in a garage or enclosed area to keep it dry
Open car doors and windows to help remove moisture. If the weather is sunny and the sun is shining brightly, you can also dry the car in the sun.
- Make sure the car is dried in a safe place so that the accessories or the car itself are not stolen when you dry it.
- Alternatively, if there is no safe place to dry the car, close the doors and windows and turn on the air conditioner to help get the water out of the car.
Step 2. Soak up the stagnant water with a microfiber towel
Microfiber is a synthetic material made from special fabrics that can absorb greater amounts of water than towels from natural fibers. Use this towel to pat the area where there is a lot of water and press firmly to absorb the water. Unfold the towel and fold it back to use the other side of the towel. If the towel is already soaking wet, wring it out before you reuse it to absorb the water.
If you need to move the car, and the seat under the wheel is wet, place a towel over it so your clothes don't get wet when sitting in it
Step 3. Vacuum the inside of the car with a wet/dry shop vac to remove any remaining moisture
Shop vac is a special suction device for sucking liquids. Set the setting to " wet " before you vacuum. Point the end of the suction hose at the chair, carpet, and any wet areas. Pay special attention to electronic devices and buttons around the interior, especially those on doors such as window control buttons, or car door speakers.
If you don't have a shop vac, ask a hardware or home supply store if they rent one
Method 2 of 3: Removing Remaining Moisture
Step 1. Place a fan in the car to circulate air and evaporate moisture
Place a hanging fan or a standing fan on an open car door or next to it. Leave the fan running for at least 2 days, or until the water on the carpet has evaporated. Check the car frequently to see how the drying process is progressing and set the fan to rotate to circulate air in other humid areas if one area is dry enough.
You can also use a dehumidifier in place of the fan, or use it with a fan to speed up the process
Step 2. Lift the rug from the sill near the door to dry the foam underneath
If the carpet is wet, water will seep into the foam, which can lead to mold if it stays wet. Use something, like a screwdriver, to pry open the carpet sill. Use a hard object, such as a brick or wooden plank, to prop it open and create an air pocket. Soak up any water under the rug using a towel, then turn on a fan or dehumidifier next to it to remove any remaining moisture. You may have to run the fan under the carpet for a few days to allow the foam to dry completely.
- There may be a plate along the bottom edge of the door that must be opened to allow access to the carpet sill.
- You may need to remove the chair so you can lift the threshold of the carpet to dry the foam.
Step 3. Hang the Damp Rid bag or Good Absorb Water (moisture absorbing product) in the car to remove any remaining moisture
This product will suck the moisture in the surrounding area so you can hang it on the handle above the car door, rearview mirror, or headrest on the car seat. If there's no Damp Rid or Good Absorb Water, place a few unscrewed boxes of baking soda around the car for the same effect.
- Place the baking soda in another container so it doesn't spill.
- You can also place socks filled with cat litter on the carpet to suck in the moisture.
Method 3 of 3: Removing Odors and Preventing Mold
Step 1. Remove mold on carpet using a solution of vinegar and water
Spray this solution and let it soak for 20 minutes. After that, scrub the carpet with a brush and dry with a towel or shop vac. Repeat this process until the mildew smell in the car starts to diminish.
In addition to vinegar, you can also use dish soap, or even a mixture of tea tree oil and water. Mix 10-20 drops of tea tree oil in a spray bottle. Before use, test the carpet in a hidden area to see that it will not damage the color of the carpet
Step 2. Use borax to treat any remaining mildew spots on the carpet
Sprinkle the borax directly on the mushroom spots and leave it there for 10 minutes. Suck up the borax and repeat this step if the mold is still attached.
Borax is a material that is safe for car surfaces. Make sure you remove any remaining borax grains by vacuuming
Step 3. Make sure everything is dry before you return the sill or chair to its original place
Check that all surfaces are dry before you put things back in their place. The foam under the carpet must be completely dry to prevent mold from growing there.
