# How to dry rained on headliner

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-dry-rained-on-headliner/66397>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [July 19, 2011, 9:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-dry-rained-on-headliner/66397 "2011-07-19T21:28:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Maggie94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dbc845/32.png) [@Maggie94](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Maggie94)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 9:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-dry-rained-on-headliner/66397/1 "2011-07-19T21:28:45Z")

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I left my sunroof open a bit and heavy thunderstorm drove rain into car and around my headliner. How can I safely prevent development of mold and mildew in our hot, humid summer weather?

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**Author:** ![ken\_green](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/ken_green/32/816_2.png) [@ken\_green](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ken_green)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 9:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-dry-rained-on-headliner/66397/2 "2011-07-19T21:38:18Z")

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wet/dry shop vacuum first to get out maximum amount. then a good ol’ blow dryer.  
If you’re removing trim to access between the headliner and roof you could also use towels to soak some up that you’d change out then remove.

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**Author:** ![oblivion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3ab097/32.png) [@oblivion](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oblivion)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 10:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-dry-rained-on-headliner/66397/3 "2011-07-19T22:38:08Z")

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If you’re worried about mildew, it might help to spray the wet sections thoroughly with Lysol, which should kill any mold or mildew. (test on a small area first to make sure it doesn’t stain or discolor)

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 11:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-dry-rained-on-headliner/66397/4 "2011-07-19T23:36:22Z")

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To prevent mold you have to dry the material as quickly as possible. Take it for a drive with air conditioning on full blast until the head liner is dry.

Tester

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**Author:** ![edb1961](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/edb1961/32/122_2.png) [@edb1961](https://community.cartalk.com/u/edb1961)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 3:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-dry-rained-on-headliner/66397/5 "2011-07-20T03:00:38Z")

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I use this method to dry the interior of a car after shampooing the carpet and seats. I crack the windows an inch or so, start the car and turn on the heater full blast.

Ed B.

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**Author:** ![1mazdaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/53a042/32.png) [@1mazdaman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/1mazdaman)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2011, 4:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-dry-rained-on-headliner/66397/6 "2011-07-20T04:15:32Z")

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Turn on the AC too. Tester is right as always. Use recirculate setting and close all windows until dry.