How to Remove Odor from Flood-Damaged Cars?
2 Answers
Regularly open the car windows for ventilation. Bamboo charcoal bags can absorb odors, but they need to be replaced promptly. Placing fruits like bananas and pineapples in the car can also help purify the air, as well as pomelo and orange peels.
The stubborn musty and damp smell in flood-damaged cars is particularly persistent, requiring a thorough cleaning from the inside out. I removed all the seats and carpets from the car and left them under direct sunlight for two full days—UV rays are the most effective way to kill mold. Every crevice of the interior was rinsed with a high-pressure water gun, followed by spraying specialized disinfectant and wiping it down three times. The air conditioning system is a critical area—replace the filter and pour in AC cleaner, then run it for half an hour, otherwise the smell will return as soon as you turn on the cold air. All plastic parts were disassembled and dried with a hairdryer to prevent trapped moisture from causing odors. Finally, I filled the car with activated charcoal bags and coffee grounds to absorb odors, making sure to keep the windows open for ventilation. After a week of effort, the smell was basically gone. Dealing with flood-damaged cars must be done quickly—if delayed too long, the foam in the seats can retain odors permanently.
