Has your car been giving off musty odors since the recent rain event? We have all been there… we know how awful it can be to step into a vehicle that stinks. We are writing this blog post to make you aware of the leading reasons why your beloved vehicle―which you consider your second home―might emanate such unpleasant smells. The post also highlights the way professional detailing can help eliminate them.
Musty Odors In Cars: Discussing Leading Reasons
#1- Moisture accumulation
One reason why the inside of your car might smell musty is the buildup of humidity. Rainwater can find its way inside through cracked seals and deformities in doors and windows. This can lead to high humidity levels inside the cabin… which in turn will create favourable conditions for the growth of mold and mildew. As they grow, they will release spores and different organic smelly compounds…
#2- Flawed air conditioning system
A properly functioning air conditioning system is crucial for a comfortable driving experience. By keeping the cabin temperature at an optimal level, your vehicle’s climate control system gives you the freedom to drive in harsh weather conditions―be it a hot summer noon or a freezing winter night. If for some reason moisture builds up with your air conditioning unit, an ecosystem suitable for mold will develop. When there is mold growth… there will be a musty smell.
#3- Pests
You read that right… pests including rodents and insects can make the interior of your car a mess. Droppings and urine left behind by these creatures can contribute to foul odors over time. Besides, the decaying dead body of a pest can give off a decomposing odor so strong that you won’t be able to stay in the car for even a moment. Driving a pest-infested vehicle exposes you to various harmful microorganisms like hantavirus, leptospirosis, salmonella, and others.
#4- Deteriorating materials
This is yet another notable reason why the interior of your car might smell like moldy cheese. Fabric seats, coverings, carpets, and the materials used for padding and insulation can deteriorate over time and emit a sour smell. It is therefore important that you check those components for cracks, tears, and other form of deterioration and replace the ones you think have reached their useful life.
So, there you have it… a list of reasons why the interior of your car might give off musty odors. In the following section, we have highlighted how professional detailing can help eliminate such stinky odors.
How Professional Detailing Can Help?
– Thorough cleaning: It typically involves vacuuming of surfaces like carpets, upholstery, areas under the seats and crevices. The process will remove any dirt, debris, and foreign elements that may have accumulated on the surfaces over time. Following the vacuuming process, the detailer will use special cleaning solutions to get rid of dirt and stains from fabric surfaces. To pull out grime from surfaces like the dashboard and console areas, special equipment and solution will be used.
– Extracting moisture: After getting rid of dirt, debris, and stains, the focus will be shifted to moisture extraction… another vital step in eliminating odors caused by mold and mildew. The process often requires a steam cleaning machine with specialized nozzles. The machine uses high-temperature steam to eradicate microorganisms and remove excess moisture that may have accumulated on the surfaces.
– Air conditioning treatment: Professional detailing also involves thorough cleaning and sanitization of key air conditioning system components including the evaporator core and cabin air filter. This process eliminates any microbial population that might have grown there…
In addition to the above said things, professional detailing employs ozone generators to annihilate the community of odor-causing bacteria… If material deterioration is detected, efforts will be made to restore their functionality. If it comes to that, the deformed materials will be replaced to preserve the vehicle’s overall appearance.
Key Takeaways
If you smell something very stinky and unusual as soon as you step into your vehicle, don’t take it for granted. Find out what’s going on with your vehicle and why it is giving off such musty odors. If there is indeed a problem, visit the nearest professional detailing service provider. Have the issue fixed before it turns into a major problem.
