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How do I get rid of mold on my car’s carpet?
I went to the store the other day and I bought a 24-pack of bottled water. One or two of the bottles on the bottom must have been broken, because when I removed the package, my car’s carpet was soaked. I didn’t have time to clean it and now the interior of my car reeks of mold. How do I get rid of the mold and the smell?
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
What a pain! The good news is that you can remove the mold and smell in about an hour, so don’t stress too much.
The first step toward mold eradication is to have the proper personal protective equipment. Make sure to wear:
- A respirator or mask
- Rubber or latex gloves
- Eyewear
After you have your makeshift hazmat suit on, follow these steps to get the mold out of your carpet.
- Use a soft-bristled brush or toothbrush to agitate the affected area.
- Vacuum the area to get rid of any spores.
- Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
- Spray on the carpet and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Vacuum any excess solution or moisture.
- Sprinkle a granulated or powdered fungicide, such as borax, onto the carpets.
- Let it dry for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Vacuum any leftover powder.
- Use a damp towel to wipe the area.
- Leave your windows open to let the vinegar smell dissipate.
As a final step, you may also want to turn on your heater or air conditioner. If you smell anything funky, replace your cabin air filter. You can find this in your glove box or under the hood of your vehicle.
If you’d like a more thorough cleaning, consider taking your car to a
detailer
. They’ll have professional equipment to restore your car. Since you care about your car, consider adding a roadside assistance membership as well.
Jerry
offers customers a modern roadside assistance membership. Along with traditional benefits, you get Uber-like tracking for the status of your service and the ability to contact your service provider directly for as low as $4.16 a month.View full answer
- Gregory R.
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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