Get Rid of a Musty Smell in Your Car

A musty, damp or stale smell in the cabin is not something an air freshener will fix. It is a symptom, and the cause is almost always moisture and the dirt that is holding it. Remove both and the smell goes with them.

Step 1: find the source

Press your hand into the carpets, especially under the mats and in the footwells. Damp patches are the usual culprit.
Check the boot floor and spare wheel well.
Look for spilled drinks, food crumbs and old receipts under the seats.
Check door seals, sunroof drains and window seals for leaks if the dampness keeps coming back.

Step 2: dry everything fully

Take out the mats and dry them separately. Dry the carpet with the heater on and doors open on a dry day, or use a dehumidifier or moisture absorber overnight. Cleaning damp carpet only locks moisture in.

Step 3: vacuum

Vacuum thoroughly, including under the seats and along the sills, to remove the dirt that feeds the smell.

Step 4: deep clean with Vonixx Sintra

Vonixx Sintra is an interior cleaner for carpets, upholstery and plastics. Sintra Fast is ready to use. Sintra Pro is a concentrate, and the dilution depends on the job:

1:5 for heavy plastics and leather
Carpets: 1:10 for heavy soiling, 1:20 medium, 1:30 light
1:50 for maintenance cleaning
Up to 1:60 in an extractor

Apply to the carpet, agitate with a drill brush or a brush by hand, then lift the dirty solution out. An extractor attachment makes this far easier than a cloth because it removes the moisture along with the dirt. For a full interior deep clean, see our drill brush and extractor guide.

Step 5: dry again and replace the cabin filter

Leave the car ventilated until completely dry. A dirty cabin filter can also hold odours, so replace it if the smell returns when the fan is running.

What to avoid

Do not use bleach on carpets or upholstery.
Do not mask the smell with fragrance while the carpets are still damp.
Do not soak the carpet; too much liquid without extraction makes the problem worse.