DodgeIntrepid.Net Forums banner

How to make my car not stink come spring...

1K views 17 replies 16 participants last post by  Xpid 
#1 ·
Hey Guys. This is the first winter I've had my car, and it took me a little while to get some winter car mats. The driver side carpet is soaking wet!

I know, I'm stupid :banghead:

I bought mats tonight, and took an old towel and soaked up as much water as possible. Any further ideas?
 
#2 ·
I know what you mean. Usually, the car just smells a little musty for a week until it all evaporates. It was never anything serious. One thing you could do is to take the mats to the quarter carwash and spray them out in Spring. But again, it was never that bad. You have to remember, people have dealt with this problem since cars could stay running for over a year.
 
#3 ·
Go to the coin op car wash in your area and use the wet/dry vac to suck up all the water.
i used the bubble brush and the wet/dry vac to clean my carpets on some of my other cars before i got a carpet shampooer.
it works great believe it or not all you do is turn on the bubble brush just long enough to get it soapy then turn it off scrub one area at a time re soaping the brush in each area when all the carpet is done vacuum it dry it sounds crazy but it works
 
#5 ·
I'm crazy I know, but have you tried the SHAMWOW what they shoe on the TV? I have seen it tested and it does work at getting water, ect. out of the carpet.

I personally do not have one, but like I said, on the news channel I watch, they have a segmet every thursday they show weather a products fails or passes what they claim the product would do, and the SHAMWOW did pass with flying colors.
 
#14 ·
In the spring i take all the mats to the car wash and hit them with the powerwasher. If there are real tough spots i'll pre-treat them with a carpet cleaner. Pulls up the stains and makes them smell nice. Make sure to let them dry really well before putting them back in.
We have those catch-all mats in my wife's Jeep...LOVE those things!
 
#15 ·
Life in Ontario sure does make having a dry carpet during the winter months a challenge.

I use winter floor mats, try to use floor heat as often as possible and keep a wet filter in my shop vac and use it often. Not to actually "clean" the carpet in the middle of winter but whip it out once in a while to soak up some water.
 
#17 ·
Are they really soaked? If so there is water sitting on your floorpan and it will mildew and smell.

The carpet in the Stratus was soaked last year, they have a common problem with the air conditioner draining in the car but thats another story.

If I were you id lift the carpet and dry it from the underside. Do it once with a vac or towels and then if you can leave the carpet pulled up a little with something holding it up so air can circulate and leave the doors open for a while. It should dry quicly that way. I have molded floor mat/trays in the Durango and over the winter I ofter have enough water in them that I can literally pour the water out.

As far as cleaning the carpets goes it is really amazing how clean you can get a cars carpets if you put some effort into it. I use Tough Stuff, chaeck for it at any parts store or wally mart.
 
#18 ·
I need to clean my carpets really bad, they've went from a light gray to black with in the last few days. Get some Lysol and a blow dryer like GTX said lift the carpet up dry it out, after it's dried real good spray some Lysol mildew killer under it and allow that to dry good and make sure it's all dry then put your carpet back down and wala..
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top