The Easiest Way to Get Rid of Musty Smell From Car Air Conditioner

When it gets hot and you turn on the air conditioner in your car, you may find that in addition to the cool breeze, you are also enveloped in a strong musty smell. Luckily, getting rid of this smell is a relatively easy task. Here’s what you need to know.

Why does my car air conditioner smell musty?

So where does this musty smell come from?

“You’re probably smelling condensation coming from the evaporator inside your heating and cooling system,” says Jake Fisher , Consumer Reports’ senior director of automotive testing. “Essentially, water collects in this area and, if left long enough, creates a musty smell.”

The smell can also be caused by a buildup of dust and bacteria in the cabin air filter .

How to get rid of musty smell

Here’s how to get rid of musty smells, according to automotive experts from Consumer Reports :

1. Open car windows.
2. Turn on the car interior fan and set it to low speed.
3. Remove the cabin air filter.
4. Spray Lysol or another type of household or automotive disinfectant on both sides of the air vent, which is located at the base of your car’s windshield where the wipers mount.
5. Leave the fan on and keep windows open. This will give the disinfectant a chance to kill the bacteria that causes the musty smell.
6. Take a look at the cabin air filter before putting it back in. If it looks dirty or dusty, it’s time to replace it with a new one. This previous Lifehacker post will walk you through the process.

Once your vents are clear, you can help prevent moisture from returning by turning off your air conditioner for the last few minutes of your trip and turning on the fan instead.