Many car owners only use cars on necessary occasions, even leaving their cars in the parking lot or garage for many weeks, many months. This is also one of the reasons why the interior of the car emits an unpleasant moldy smell and is very difficult to handle thoroughly.
According to a technician at the Ninety Eight Auto Repair, Maintenance and Care Center (Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City), cars used regularly rarely encounter mold.
Conversely, cars left for a long time without operating, especially in environments with high humidity or frequent sun exposure, are very likely to generate odors in the interior.
For used car buyers, the risk of encountering moldy cars is also higher. If the car has not been used for about 2-3 months, the engine has not been started and the air conditioning system has not been operated, the smell of mold can stick deeply to the seats, ceiling, carpets and other interior details.
According to the technician, when the car is heavily moldy, cleaning only helps partially improve it, but it is difficult to completely eliminate the unpleasant odor. The reason is that mold and moisture have penetrated into the interior materials, causing the odor to stick persistently.
To overcome this, the car needs to be operated regularly to help the air conditioning and air filter systems operate and circulate air in the cabin.
Car owners should also use dehumidifying products in the interior compartment. Because the odor caused by mold often sticks deeply to materials such as seats, carpets and ceiling, it is very difficult to completely remove it after just one cleaning. When combining dehumidification, cleaning and regular car operation, the odor will gradually improve over time.
Ninety Eight Auto Repair, Maintenance and Care Center recommends that if you do not need to use the car regularly, car owners should still start and operate the car about twice a week, each time for 15 - 30 minutes and travel a few kilometers to ensure that the engine, gearbox, brake system, air conditioner and battery all operate normally.
During this process, the air conditioner and fan system should be turned on for air circulation, while helping the engine and systems on the car maintain a stable operating state.
In addition, you can place a dehumidifier, coffee bag, or scent bag in the interior to help with deodorization.
Car owners should also not ignore the periodic replacement of air conditioner filters. When the car has a moist odor, the air filter can absorb the odor and spread it back every time the air conditioner is turned on, making the odor last longer and more difficult to handle.
