# Mold or Mildew that's the question **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [February 3, 2008, 2:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mold-or-mildew-thats-the-question/10167 "2008-02-03T02:45:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rich19994runner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@rich19994runner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rich19994runner)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2008, 2:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mold-or-mildew-thats-the-question/10167/1 "2008-02-03T02:45:07Z")
My wife’s car is a 2004 Jetta and has a mold or mildew problem. It was a leaky water bottle in the back seat that started it all. We have tried an expensive ionizer and I have cleaned the upholstery with a Little Green machine to no success. Can anyone suggest other options to try before we get the darn thing re-upholstered? I am worried about her health so anything would help here. ---
**Author:** ![lars46](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4da419/32.png) [@lars46](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lars46)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2008, 4:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mold-or-mildew-thats-the-question/10167/2 "2008-02-03T04:51:23Z")
I suggest: 1. Remove the seat, carpet and all else that got wet. 2. Clean surfaces with Dawn dishwashing liquid, water, and a brush. 3. Dry it thoroughly-probably several days or more 4. Reinstall 5. Be prepared for this to fail. You may need to install new upholstery, carpeting, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Beadsandbeads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@Beadsandbeads](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beadsandbeads)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2008, 1:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mold-or-mildew-thats-the-question/10167/3 "2008-02-05T01:30:34Z")
I inherited a car with a mold problem. I took it to Arizona for three years and that fixed it. If you can 't do that you might have to replace the damaged parts. ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2008, 1:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mold-or-mildew-thats-the-question/10167/4 "2008-02-05T01:51:29Z")
Try using Boric Acid and water. Mix about a pound to a half gallon of water and spray everything really well. ---
**Author:** ![winarth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b5a626/32.png) [@winarth](https://community.cartalk.com/u/winarth)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2008, 3:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mold-or-mildew-thats-the-question/10167/5 "2008-02-05T03:47:39Z")
A mixture of bleach and water will also kill mold spores. Mold and mildew will not grow without moisture. You need to kill the mold/mildew with whatever you choose and then dry the aread thoroughly and keep completely dry. That should do it. ---
**Author:** ![winarth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b5a626/32.png) [@winarth](https://community.cartalk.com/u/winarth)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2008, 3:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mold-or-mildew-thats-the-question/10167/6 "2008-02-05T03:48:54Z")
Let me add that bleach can discolor fabric so you would not want it on fabric or carpet without testing first. ---
**Author:** ![rexy44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/278dde/32.png) [@rexy44](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rexy44)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2008, 4:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mold-or-mildew-thats-the-question/10167/7 "2008-02-05T04:05:15Z")
I would go to a reputable “auto detail” shop and ask them. If none in your area try talking to an auto body shop for a refural. Get couple opinions. Do not use bleach on it. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2008, 11:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mold-or-mildew-thats-the-question/10167/8 "2008-02-05T11:25:46Z")
That expensive ionizer is really a toy. To do what is needed takes a real industrial model. I suggest giving Serve-Pro or a like fire recovery outfit, a call. They have the tools and experience for this work and it includes cars.