How to remove mould from a car interior
Find the leak, dry it out, clean it off, then ozone the empty cabin. In that order — or it comes back.
180 minConfident6 steps
Mould in a car almost always means water got in and stayed: a blocked drain after a summer storm, a leaking seal, wet gym kit, or a car that stood closed up through a rainy spell. Spores are everywhere; they only grow where it is damp. So killing the visible mould is only half the job — if the cabin stays damp, it will return. Heavy growth across seats and headlining is a job for a professional valet.
Ozone safety: unoccupied spaces only — no people, pets or plants. Run on a timer, keep the space closed to dwell, then air out fully before use. Ozone neutralises odours; it is not a medical treatment.
- 1
Find and fix the water source
Check the scuttle and sunroof drains, door seals, the boot seal and the spare-wheel well. Lift mats and press the carpet. Until the leak is fixed, everything else is temporary.
- 2
Protect yourself and air the car
Gloves and a P2 mask on. Open all doors and work outside, so you are not breathing disturbed spores in a closed space.
- 3
Dry it out completely
Remove wet mats, then dry the carpet and underlay with doors open and fans running. This can take a full day. Damp underlay under dry-looking carpet is a common reason mould returns.
- 4
Clean off the growth
Vacuum loose spores gently, then mist Pure Cabin onto a microfibre and wipe affected surfaces, folding to a fresh face often. Bag used towels straight away and wash them on their own in hot water.
Bay tip · Spray the towel, not the surface, so you do not re-wet what you have just dried.
- 5
Ozone the empty, dry cabin
With nobody inside, close the windows, run the aircon on recirculate briefly so the ducts are treated, switch off, then run the ozone generator on its timer for 30 to 60 minutes. Keep the car closed for 30 minutes after the cycle, then open all doors for at least 30 minutes before anyone gets in.
- 6
Keep it dry
Clear drains each season, never leave wet clothes or towels in the car, and air it out after rainy days. If the musty smell returns, look for the water again.
Common mistakes
- Ozoning a wet car without fixing the leak
- Cleaning mould in a closed garage without a mask
- Soaking the carpet with cleaner
- Using bleach on car fabric and plastics
- Opening the car mid-ozone cycle
Wear gloves and a P2 mask when handling mould and work in open air. If you have asthma, allergies or a respiratory condition, have someone else do the cleaning or use a professional. Ozone is harmful to breathe: unoccupied car only, on a timer, with full dwell and air-out time. Ozone and cleaning treat mould and odour on surfaces; neither is a medical treatment and no health claim is made.