Mildew smell

[Jimmy Buffett]

A friend came to visit over the weekend that got a used car as a Christmas present. There is a strong mildew smell on the inside that she doesn't seem to notice any more. We hit it with Febreze but that didn't work. What can she do to get rid of that odor?
Thx
J

 

[Danny]

What is the source of the mildew smell? Carpet? seats? vents? console?

 

[Jimmy Buffett]

Well I really don't know. You can smell it as soon as you open the door. I hope the whole car hasn't been under water but i have no idea. She was very excited about her new car so I didn't want to say much. I was in it several weeks ago and thought it was just a fluke but she was back this past weekend and I could smell it when she opened the car door.

 

[JMMUSTANG]

I would think an Ozone machine would do the job.

 

[smokun]

Sounds Like A Flood Car

Many flood cars that just got the interior fabric and carpeting wet, but nothing wrong with the electrical system, successfully avoid declaring the damage when selling the car, And CarFax usually misses all but insurance claimed cars.

I agree with the suggestion to use ozone, but you may have to remove the seats, too.

Initially, pump ozone into the vehicle for at least 4-5 hours. Using a blower to circulate the ozone will also help. It won't do any damage to wiring or other surfaces or interior plastics, but it will treat the mildew.

If the odor remains after 5 hours, remove the seats and wrap them in plastic (big garbage bags will do) and run the ozone through a hose into the bags for several hours. That will expose the entire outside surface of the seating, including the underneath sections.

Give the interior carpeting the "sniff test". If the odor is still in the carpeting, ozone it again overnight. The morning after that, run the ozone for a few hours while the engine is on, and the air conditioner is on high - max cool. Then use a Farbreze-like product; there are many... including some from detail chemical suppliers; it's all the same stuff.

Flood cars that do not respond to the above usually require new interior carpeting, and possibly seats.

The repair is costly, which is why so many cars that are caught in high water situations are sold without reporting the problem. Once you go to your insurance company, the cost of repairs will likely boost your rates.

Good luck. Please don't shoot the messenger!

-Steve

 

[Jimmy Buffett]

Where do you get an ozone machine? Can you rent them? They bought the car from Enterprise so you wouldn't think it would be a flood car but who knows.

 

[Waxman]

Ozone machines can be purchased through sonny's and kleen rite and probably other detail supply catalogs. Maybe Taylor rental has them???

I'll add this; dismantle the interior if the ozone and carpet/upholstery cleaning with a hot water extractor do not remedy the smell.

I've removed seats and carpets to clean the underside of the carpeting as well as the metal floorboards in flood cars. I'd only buy an new carpet kit if this didn't work. I've also added a capful of bleach to a few gallons of water and used that in my extractor cleaning process. Basic, yet effective.

 

[MEP001]

Enterprise are cheap and lazy about cleaning their rentals and use a basic rollover on reclaim to wash each car before it rolls out to the rental lot. There's a chance that silt and crud is in the vents and causing the smell.

 

[Danny]

Enterprise are cheap and lazy about cleaning their rentals and use a basic rollover on reclaim to wash each car before it rolls out to the rental lot. There's a chance that silt and crud is in the vents and causing the smell.

LOL I agree. As a rental car who really know what history that car has. We have all heard the horror stories about rental cars.

Danny

 

[JMMUSTANG]

Where do you get an ozone machine? Can you rent them? They bought the car from Enterprise so you wouldn't think it would be a flood car but who knows.

You might call detail shops in your town and see if anyone has one. That would be the cheapest way.
Just make sure they will use it in the car at least 4-5 hours and preferrably over night.
Waxman's right about removing the seats and shampooing everything.
Also have them blow out the vents before ozoning.
Try Detail Plus or Right Look if you want to buy one but they probably aren't the cheapest.

 

[smokun]

Another Option

You might call detail shops in your town and see if anyone has one. That would be the cheapest way.
Just make sure they will use it in the car at least 4-5 hours and preferrably over night.
Waxman's right about removing the seats and shampooing everything.
Also have them blow out the vents before ozoning.
Try Detail Plus or Right Look if you want to buy one but they probably aren't the cheapest.

I agree with everything EXCEPT:Also have them blow out the vents before ozoning.

Instead, I recommend setting the air conditioner on max cold, which will recirculate the air inside the passenger cabin, thus getting the ozone through all the air duct system. By doing that, you expose ozone into the deep recesses of the ductwork, where mold and other ugly allergens breed. Ozone oxidizes those bacterial organisms, rendering them dead.

Sometimes, blowing compressed air into an air duct can damage ductwork and push the bacteria elsewhere. Many ducts are flimsy coated paper-like ducts with wire reinforcement, and they are easily perforated.

Remember: When using ozone, the more grams of ozone produced as output, the better it will work against malodor removal. A weaker unit will take more time and have less penetration of lethal ozone gas.

An ozone unit should be in the arsenal of every commercial (retail) detail operation. And promoted properly, it can grow customers you'd never have a chance at otherwise. Become an odor elimination specialist!

-Steve

 

[Mr.Aap]

Make sure the drain for the A/C condenser is not plugged up allowing water to enter the interior of the vehicle....

 

[rph9168]

I think how successful the ozone treatment will be depends on how deeply imbedded the meldew is in the headliner, carpets, seats and other potential spots. I have seen cases where the ozone only proves to be a temporary fix. If the problem returns the only fix will be to strip the interior, clean it thoroughly, and have it recarpeted, the seats reupholstered and a new headliner. It doesn't sound like it is in the wiring since there was no mention of a problem with that. If it is as bad a described I bet the vehicle was underwater water - probably dirty flood water or some form of drainage.

 

[JMMUSTANG]

If the ozone machine doesn't work the first time you might want to take the carpet out completely, take it over to a self service wash, high pressure it thoroughly, let drip dry. After it dries reinstall the carpet.
Then re-ozone the car overnight again.
I used to use a fogger device sometimes on cars. It worked pretty good. Can't remember the name though. I'll try to find out.