How to Dry Carpet to Prevent Mold

[camry_noob]

I told a mechanic / do-it-all car guy to steam clean the carpet in my car (becuase overwhelming smell of fruit left in the car too long). What is the best way for him to dry it so there won't be any mold?

I foresee a disaster. It's raining today and I don't think it'll dry at all naturally.

I only took the car too him because I desperately needed a replacement car for the day and knew he could provide one on the spot. Otherwise I would have taken it to someone who does car upholstery.

P.S. The last time I had someone shampoo my carpet it ended up with mold in it and now I have to replace it. I don't want this to happen again.

[BamZipPow]

Best way is to take the carpet out and dry it out of the car.

[ghettosled]

can you park it in a garage, leave the doors open and have some fans circulating the air around?

if you have to do some driving, turn on the A/C - it will help to pull the moisture out of the air.

[joseph515]

you could use a blowdryer haha but itll take forever

[Hajoca]

Spray upholstery with Hydrogen Peroxide first, then dry. That will kill off microorganisms, fungus, organics, etc.

[sequoiasoon]

Late reply but others might read when searching.

Nature's Miracle (from pet store) poured on area were "organic material" was and let dry naturally will get rid of the material you can't see causing smells. Used it for spilled milk shakes, baby formula, vomit, and cat urine (leaked from carrier on way to vet). Recommended by veterinarian from the cat incident, all the rest were joys of traveling with kids after that.

Water/moisture--- Dehumidifier sitting on a board on seat (to keep it level), close windows and doors, let run for as long as needed until no moisture is in pan. Recommended by friend that worked for BMW dealer. They used it all the time after interiors were cleaned. I used it after parking lot got flooded and floors had 1" plus rain water sitting in them. I shopped vacuumed all the big stuff, 2 days later everything was perfectly dry. No electrical issues, no mold, no smells, no rust.

Peroxide might bleach out the carpeting and look like crap but you would need to try it somewhere hidden first.