Driving through high flood waters or leaving a car door open can cause the interior of your car to get wet.Lift the carpet, use towels and a shop vac to remove excess water, and run fans in your car to help evaporate all the water from it.You may need to use some products to get the water out of your car.
Step 1: Put your car in a covered area to keep it dry.
In an enclosed space, leave your car windows and doors open.You can dry your car out in the sun if the weather clears up.If you are drying your car in a secure location, no one will be able to steal it while you leave it open to dry.If you can't dry your car in a safe place, keep the windows and doors closed and run the AC.
Step 2: Sop up pooling water with a microfiber towel.
Microfiber is a synthetic material that absorbs more water than natural fiber towels.Pressing down on your hand to soak it up, is how to pat down the area where the water is.Ring it out when it is completely soaked and then pat it dry.Put towels on your seat to prevent it from getting wet when you sit down.
Step 3: You can vacuum in your car with a wet shop vac.
A shop vac is used to clean spills.Before you begin to suck anything up, turn the dial to wet.The vacuum hose should be Rake over the seat, carpet, and any other surfaces that have gotten wet.The window control buttons and the car door speaker are some of the buttons that need to be dry out.If you don't have a shop vac, check with an appliance or hardware store to see if they rent them out for use.
Step 4: Put a fan in your car.
You can put a window unit in the open car door or beside it.Allow it to run for at least 2 days, or until the water in your carpet has dissipated.If you want the fan to hit other damp spots after one area has dried considerably, check it frequently to see the progress of it.If you want to speed up the process, use a dehumidifier in conjunction with a fan.
Step 5: The foam underneath the carpet needs to be dry.
If the carpet gets wet, the water can get underneath it to the foam backing, which can cause a problem if it stays wet.To prop it up, use a tool such as a screwdriver.Use a brick or wooden plank to hold it open and create an air pocket.If you have excess water underneath the carpet, towel it up and then run a fan or dehumidifier next to it.It can take a long time for the fan to dry out the foam.You have to pry off a plate on the bottom edge of the car door to get to the carpet.To dry the foam, you may need to remove the seats.
Step 6: You can hang the bags inside the car.
The bags suck up the water in the areas they are placed, so hang some from the handles above the car doors, your rearview mirror, or the headrest of the seats.Baking soda can be placed around your car if you can't find Damp Rid bags.Baking soda can be spilled if it is put in a separate container.You can put socks filled with cat litter on top of the carpet to suck up some water.
Step 7: It's a good idea to use a water and water solution to clean your carpet.
Allow the solution to sit for 20 minutes.Once it is done soaking, wash it with a brush and then put it in a towel or shop vac.The smell in your car will get worse if you repeat the process.Regular dishwashing soap can be used instead of the tea tree oil and water mixture.Tea tree oil can be used in a spray bottle with water.Before cleaning your carpet, do a patch test to make sure it won't stain.
Step 8: If there are any remaining spots in the carpet, sprinkle borax.
Allow the borax to sit on the stain for 10 minutes.If the stain still remains, vacuum up the borax and lay it down more.Any surface of your car is safe to use with borax.Make sure you vacuum up any that you sprinkle around.
Step 9: Before putting the seats back, make sure everything is dry.
Make sure your car is adequately dry before you reassemble it.The foam backing under the carpet needs to be completely dry.Check to see if there isn't a damp spot you missed.