Mildew smell in car: How do you get rid of it?

If you’ve ever climbed inside your N Charlotte Toyota and caught a whiff of mildew, then you know just how unpleasant it can be. This is one odor in particular you want to avoid because when you smell it, it means there’s moisture inside your car somewhere. Whether it’s an old damp towel or a leak in a seal somewhere remains to be seen, but either way, you’ve got an issue on your hands. Check out these how to get rid of mildew smell in car tips from our service experts – Toyota of N Charlotte has got your back.

The causes of mildew odors

What causes a mildew smell inside your N Charlotte Toyota? Basically, it can be traced back to moisture. The smell can stem from wet clothes or towels that are sitting forgotten in your backseat. However, it could also be stemming from a wet spot in your car that’s the result of a leak somewhere. Whichever it is, you’ve got to find the source and fix it.

How to get rid of mildew in your car

Once you notice a mildew smell in car issue, it’s time to take action. The smell won’t go away without some work and will get worse as time goes on and more mildew and mold grow. Plus, this can be hazardous to your health and the health of your passengers. Here are the steps our Toyota of North Charlotte service team recommends taking.

#1: Remove any damp items from your N Charlotte Toyota.

Is your gym bag sitting in the back seat? Wet towels from the beach still hanging out in the trunk? Comb through your car and take out anything wet or even damp. You should never leave wet things in your car – even an umbrella – because it can contribute to that musty, mildewy stink.

#2: Find out where the mildew is. 

Mildew and mold like dark and damp. Inspect your cabin from end to end. You’re going to need to look for damp or wet spots — that’s where your mildew smell is coming from. Look underneath your floor mats, underneath seats, in the trunk and cargo areas, and in your glovebox and other storage compartments.

#3: Get rid of the mold and mildew you see. 

If you can see physical mildew or mold, it’s got to go. If you don’t clean it, it’s going to continue to grow and make your car smell. Plus, the spores are harmful if you breathe them in. Here’s how you can detail your car to get rid of mildew:

• Put on a mask and gloves. This will protect your skin and your lungs while you clean.
• Get a soft-bristled scrub brush and enzyme cleaner. The enzyme cleaner is necessary—trust us. It’s a special solution that uses natural enzymes to target bacteria, stains, and odors. It works wonders on mildew and mold.
• Gently scrub the affected areas with the brush and enzyme cleaner until all the mildew is gone.

Once you’ve taken these steps, you’re pretty much in the clear with the mildew smell in car issue. However, our Toyota of N Charlotte team recommends taking a few more steps to ensure the mildew smell doesn’t come back.

Keep mildew smell in car issues from coming back

#4: Steam clean the interior of your car. 

We highly recommend taking a steam cleaner to the interior of your car. Mildew can’t survive high heat. After you’ve used the enzyme cleaner, use a steam cleaner to clean your car’s seats, carpet, and anything else you want to scrub.

#5: Let the fresh air and sunshine in. 

Once you’ve treated and steam cleaned your car, we recommend parking in a sunny spot and opening all of the windows. Mildew hates sunshine and fresh air. Opening the windows will also let your car dry out completely, which can prevent mildew from coming back. A portable dehumidifier is another great way to ensure all moisture is removed from the cabin.

#6: Have your car inspected and leaks fixed. 

Whether you find a leak yourself or want our Toyota of North Charlotte experts to look for one, we can help. Bring your car to our service center. We can find and fix leaks quickly and get you back on the road. Remember – if you don’t fix the leak, moisture will keep getting in the cabin and mildew will come back.

Get rid of bad smells at Toyota of North Charlotte

Whether you have a mildew smell in car issue or some other odor is making your car smell, let us help. Schedule service online at Toyota of North Charlotte or call us today at (704) 659-2025. We’re open seven days a week just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville!