The monsoon is lovely until you open your car door and get hit by that damp, musty smell. Wet shoes, soggy mats and closed windows all add up, and it can hang around long after the rain has stopped.
Step 1: Find the moisture
The smell almost always comes from water trapped somewhere. Check under the floor mats, in the boot and around the seat edges. If anything feels damp, that's your culprit.
Step 2: Dry it out properly
-
Take the floor mats out and dry them in the sun for a few hours.
-
On a dry day, leave the windows down for a while to let the air move.
-
Run the AC on fresh air mode, not recirculate, to push out stale air.
-
Leave a small bowl of baking soda in the car overnight to soak up odour.
Step 3: Clean the hidden spots
Vacuum the seats and carpets, wipe down the dashboard, and give the AC vents a gentle clean. If the musty smell gets stronger when you switch the AC on, it may be time to get the cabin filter changed.
Step 4: Add a scent that lasts
Once the car is clean and dry, a good car perfume keeps it smelling fresh. Just don't use it to cover up dampness, because the smell will come back. For post monsoon freshness, Ocean Water and Floral Heaven feel clean and light, while Vanilla is cosy if the rain is still hanging around.
A dry car and a scent that lasts up to 75 days. That's the whole trick.