We’ve all been in a car with fogged-up windows! Attempting to keep them clear while you’re driving can be stressful. With the help of a car window heater, you can quickly clean the glass, but you’ll often end up with a damp film on the inside that requires constant wiping simply to see clearly. The dripping coating on your windows gradually disappears, leaving stains on them. And if left unchecked, this moisture condenses and forms mold in your car’s interiors and causes electric damage. As a result, your car will end up super unhygienic and inefficient. Eventually, you’ll be thinking about how to dehumidify a car. Then this is the blog that’s going to help you with it.
When the inside and exterior of the car are at different temperatures and moisture levels, condensation forms. As a result of your car being left outside in the cold, warmer air is trapped, which contributes to the wet smell inside. Water beads create when moisture in the car comes into touch with the cold air on your windscreen, which is why they’re in the car. A wide range of factors can lead to condensation. Keep in mind that even if you don’t have any wet objects in your cars, such as an umbrella or a jacket, leaving them, there might lead to significant condensation.
After-effects of not dehumidifying a car
Simple inconveniences to significant health and safety concerns can be caused by condensation.
- Fogged windows impair visibility, which is especially problematic in the winter or when driving after a rainstorm. Condensation can accumulate on your windows fast if you have more passengers (breathing) in the vehicle. Having to use your vehicle fans to de-mist your windows means you’ll be left with streaky marks after you’re done.
- Mould is a fungus that grows in warm, moist circumstances, such as those found in your car. If you leave a window or sunroof cracked on a wet day, you’re providing the perfect breeding habitat for mold. Exposure to mold spores can cause severe lung damage if inhaled. Getting rid of mold stains from your car’s interior may be a real hassle.
- When moisture condenses within your automobile, it evaporatively damages the electrical system. The seals on the majority of electrical components can fail over time, allowing moisture to seep inside. Electrical difficulties and interference with your ECU might result if you do this.
How to dehumidify a car
Natural moisture absorption
Turning on your car’s air defroster or air conditioner is one way to dehumidify without an external moisture absorber. Automobiles feature pressure-maintaining vents near the doors that also let moisture escape. You may speed up the process of dehumidifying your car by turning on your AC fan or blower (instead of your defroster).
Dehumidifiers
When it comes to a car dehumidifier, think of it as a bag packed with silica gel beads or other moisture-absorbing materials. It is portable, rechargeable, and will never leak. It keeps condensation off of the car’s inside windows, which reduces the risk of mold growth and other interior damage.
Investing in a good dehumidifier is an easy solution to this problem. With automobile dehumidifiers, you don’t have to worry about charging them or plugging them in. A car dehumidifier is your best bet for the early morning of windows fogs, musty smells, and other moisture concerns.
Moisture absorber
A moisture absorber is an excellent solution to get rid of foul odors in your automobile if your car hasn’t suffered major water damage from flooding or standing water. You may notice a wet smell in the car, fogging of the windshield, or cupholders leaking. Using a moisture absorber regularly will help keep things smelling good if you live in a humid location.
To operate, moisture absorbers use calcium chloride crystals, which absorb moisture from the air. They are frequently used in conjunction with air fresheners. In essence, the crystals gather the water, then discharge it into a bottom chamber. A charcoal-based dashboard pouch absorber may potentially be an option to aid with moisture buildup.
Blowers
If your interior has had some minor flooding, a commercial blower (also known as a floor dryer) is excellent. They’re a bit noisy, but they do an excellent job directing airflow to the ground, so the carpet dries faster than with a regular fan. In the worst-case scenario, use a wet vac before turning on the blowers.
Remove any standing water from your car before using a blower or other power tool. To soak up as much water as possible, there’s a foam layer under the carpet that can be pulled back. Also, if you redealing with a lot of standing water, consider removing the chairs.
Consider working in a well-ventilated garage because you’ll be leaving the doors and trunk open for quite some time. When a pipe burst and water-soaked my carpets, I used these blowers overnight to dry them out. All you have to do is make sure to rotate them regularly.
How to get rid of mold or a musty smell in your car?
Here are some solutions to assist you in getting rid of the problem quickly.
- Make sure there aren’t any leaks. A hole like this might allow water to seep in, resulting in wet spots. When dampness is combined with higher humidity levels, mold can flourish. Make sure all of your window seals are in good working order.
- Use a specialized glass cleaner to assist in removing the grime film that traps and stores moisture on the inside and outside of the car’s windows.
- Remove mold completely using a vacuum cleaner. Dab the remaining spores with diluted white vinegar. Depending on the severity of the infestation, you may want to wash and dry the seats and carpets completely, use an interior shampoo, and get new floor mats for your vehicle.
- Car mats are cheap to buy and may do wonders for the interior of your car. Wash and dry your car seats properly. It’s critical to dry everything completely before storing it.
- Make sure the cabin is well-ventilated. Leaving the windows open allows the car’s interior to be ventilated and wet areas to be dried up, which helps to prevent moisture buildup. This enables the vehicle to expel hot air.
- Invest in a car dehumidifier to keep mold from returning.
Even though these seem doable, there are scenarios where none of these DIYs seem to be of help. It is always best to get professional help. Visit a nearby car care facility and get your car as healthy as possible. If you are perplexed to find the car wash facility which returns your car pristine and hygienic, visit Way.com or download the Way app (available on iOS and Android). Enjoy a safe and touch-free car wash experience with Way. Just scan and drive away with a spotless car!
Read our blogs for information on the best airport parking and hourly parking spots near you and the most affordable insurance for your car.
