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Any tips for de-humidifying a car? (Original Post) Laura PourMeADrink Jun 2015 OP
Step 1: Drive it to Yuma, AZ Throd Jun 2015 #1
LOL. Laura PourMeADrink Jun 2015 #2
If you have a/c, that should help quite a lot. CaliforniaPeggy Jun 2015 #3
I will..Think the rain is almost over...can't wait til Saturday to put the top down and Laura PourMeADrink Jun 2015 #7
While we're asking for answers to car humidity: How does one stop the AC from smelling In_The_Wind Jun 2015 #4
good idea. I need to buy some - I am a magnet. O Neg blood ! Guess you could Laura PourMeADrink Jun 2015 #8
My blood type's B Positive and skeeters LOVE me nt LiberalElite Jun 2015 #26
Maybe it's a good thing I'm severely Iron Deficient Anaemic and run a low hemoglobin requiring auntAgonist Jun 2015 #27
a good friend who mosquitos ignored claimed LiberalElite Jun 2015 #28
No coughing ? Sounds like hookworm jakeXT Jun 2015 #30
A filter change could help jakeXT Jun 2015 #20
It's time for me to yell at my mechanic. In_The_Wind Jun 2015 #23
I only know about it, because it's a big part of my service costs jakeXT Jun 2015 #29
Here are a few things I've tried NJCher Jun 2015 #5
Gee thanks NJC !! You rock Laura PourMeADrink Jun 2015 #6
Another thing I have heard is good for car smells is a tray of coffee grinds under seat. n/t Laura PourMeADrink Jun 2015 #9
A tray of rock salt blogslut Jun 2015 #10
Interesting. Love the idea...thanks. nt Laura PourMeADrink Jun 2015 #11
oh man, i wish i'd known that five years ago fizzgig Jun 2015 #15
Convertibles can be like that. edgineered Jun 2015 #12
Wow thanks. Who would have thought an expert would have noticed Laura PourMeADrink Jun 2015 #13
it was my pleasure edgineered Jun 2015 #14
I'm thinking of lighting my truck's interior on fire olddots Jun 2015 #16
That's a bit extreme ... JustABozoOnThisBus Jun 2015 #18
I've heard that cruising at speeds in excess of 100 MPH dries cars out OakCliffDem Jun 2015 #17
Baking soda for the odor NV Whino Jun 2015 #19
Or wash out one of these and fill it with baking soda: Gidney N Cloyd Jun 2015 #32
Don't ignore the trunk discntnt_irny_srcsm Jun 2015 #21
Get some Damp Rid jmowreader Jun 2015 #22
It is soooo tempting to start a copycat thread pinboy3niner Jun 2015 #24
Here's one: kentauros Jun 2015 #31
An atmospheric hydrophilic equation and energy is all that is needed seveneyes Jun 2015 #25

CaliforniaPeggy

(149,296 posts)
3. If you have a/c, that should help quite a lot.
Thu Jun 18, 2015, 10:40 PM
Jun 2015

And if you don't want to be cold, you can run the heat too, at the same time. I've done that.

Good luck!


 

Laura PourMeADrink

(42,770 posts)
7. I will..Think the rain is almost over...can't wait til Saturday to put the top down and
Thu Jun 18, 2015, 10:56 PM
Jun 2015

dry it out. thank CP

In_The_Wind

(72,300 posts)
4. While we're asking for answers to car humidity: How does one stop the AC from smelling
Thu Jun 18, 2015, 10:41 PM
Jun 2015

like mildew?


If you don't mind the smell ~ put a few drops of Oil of Citronella on a tissue in your car to get rid of mosquitoes.

 

Laura PourMeADrink

(42,770 posts)
8. good idea. I need to buy some - I am a magnet. O Neg blood ! Guess you could
Thu Jun 18, 2015, 10:58 PM
Jun 2015

stick something good in the vents. What, I don't know.

auntAgonist

(17,252 posts)
27. Maybe it's a good thing I'm severely Iron Deficient Anaemic and run a low hemoglobin requiring
Fri Jun 19, 2015, 10:32 PM
Jun 2015

periodic blood transfusions.

Maybe mosquitoes are smarter than we think they are? I mean, who the hell would want MY blood LOL



aA

jakeXT

(10,575 posts)
30. No coughing ? Sounds like hookworm
Sat Jun 20, 2015, 09:39 AM
Jun 2015

However, the “silent and insidious” symptoms referred to by Stoll are really only related to chronic, heavy-intensity hookworm infections. Major morbidity associated with hookworm is caused by intestinal blood loss, iron deficiency anemia, and protein malnutrition [6]. They result mainly from adult hookworms in the small intestine ingesting blood, rupturing erythrocytes, and degrading hemoglobin in the host

http://web.stanford.edu/group/parasites/ParaSites2009/PinedaANDYang_Hookworm/PinedaANDYang_Hookworm.htm

jakeXT

(10,575 posts)
20. A filter change could help
Fri Jun 19, 2015, 11:35 AM
Jun 2015




Time to Change Your Vehicle’s Cabin Air Filter

Before winter sets in is a good time to check your cabin air filter, after it’s been working hard all spring, summer and fall. Cabin air filters clean the incoming air and remove allergens, and according to the Car Care Council, should be replaced every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, or per the owner’s manual.


The cabin air filter helps trap pollen, bacteria, dust and exhaust gases that may find their way into a vehicle’s air conditioning and heating and ventilation systems. The filter also prevents leaves, bugs and other debris from entering the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) system.

A dirty or clogged cabin air filter can cause musty odors in the vehicle and cause contaminants to become so concentrated in the cabin that passengers actually breathe in more fumes and particles when riding in the car compared to walking down the street. A restricted cabin air filter can also impair airflow in the HVAC system, possibly causing interior heating and cooling problems, important for staying comfortable this winter. Over time, the heater and air conditioner may also become damaged by corrosion.

Most filters are accessible through an access panel in the HVAC housing, which may be under the hood or in the interior of the car. An automotive service technician can help locate the cabin filter and replace it according to the vehicle’s owner manual. Some filters require basic hand tools to remove and install the replacement filter; others just require your hands. Filters should not be cleaned and reinstalled; instead, they should be replaced.

http://www.carcare.org/2013/10/time-to-change-your-vehicles-cabin-air-filter/

In_The_Wind

(72,300 posts)
23. It's time for me to yell at my mechanic.
Fri Jun 19, 2015, 07:17 PM
Jun 2015

The guy is great. He fixes things and keeps the cost down. But I really hate the smell of mildew. I'll have to do something about it now that I know what to do. Thanks.

jakeXT

(10,575 posts)
29. I only know about it, because it's a big part of my service costs
Sat Jun 20, 2015, 03:50 AM
Jun 2015

I never had to deal with the mildew smell, so I don't know how necessary the disinfection of air vents is, if you have driven for long time with a clogged filter.

The disinfection process is described in the second video.

I believe my filter costs a bit more because it contains activated carbon.

http://www.baldwinfilter.com/literature/english/TechTips/201304TechTipsCarbonCabinAirFilters.pdf

NJCher

(35,421 posts)
5. Here are a few things I've tried
Thu Jun 18, 2015, 10:49 PM
Jun 2015

I have a musty smelling basement, and have had it ever since Sandy. I knew about charcoal briquettes, so I put some out in an open pan. I also have a dehumidifier.


Another thing you can do is shred some newspaper and leave it in a bag in your car. It will also absorb some of that smell.


Finally, you can try putting some kitty litter in an open-type container in your car. I used a wide mouth bottle and put a piece of cheesecloth over it, using a rubber band to keep it from falling out. Cat litter is absolutely fantastic for absorbing odors and moisture. I use it in the winter, too, to get myself out of tight spots in the snow.



Cher

blogslut

(37,955 posts)
10. A tray of rock salt
Thu Jun 18, 2015, 10:59 PM
Jun 2015

My apartment windows fog up something awful during the winter and so I keep a container of rock salt on my sill. It doesn't stop the moisture completely but at least my windows don't drip to the floor anymore when I run the heater.

fizzgig

(24,146 posts)
15. oh man, i wish i'd known that five years ago
Fri Jun 19, 2015, 01:48 AM
Jun 2015

our little shit hole apartment had giant, ancient windows in the living room that would just drip all winter long.

edgineered

(2,101 posts)
12. Convertibles can be like that.
Thu Jun 18, 2015, 11:04 PM
Jun 2015

Chances are that it will continue to leak making de-humidifying useless until the leak is stopped. Cold air does hold less moisture than warm so the A/C will help.

The rubber seals flatten out sometimes, in particular the ones that go around the windows. Try this: start at the top of the windshield post (with the door open) and firmly grabbing the seal rock it back and forth while pulling away from the post. Look for moisture behind it as you work your way down, paying attention to the areas that pull away more easily than others. 2) Along the top of the window will be at least one spot where two separate pieces of rubber come together. Examine them carefully as above and manipulate in a similar fashion. If you don't plan on putting the top down for a while you can put a small amount of silicon sealer along the joint. 3) The back of the window varies greatly between cars. In a coupe or roadster the seal is like the one above the window, in a sedan the front and rear windows meet, so just do what you think will work. 4) The entire top of the windshield meets the seal that is attached to the top itself. Make sure the top of the windshield area is clean and free from bumps, pits, debris, etc. Check the seal on the top in the same manner by lifting it a few inches. A light coat of grease along that seal helps.

But in answer to your question, no.

 

Laura PourMeADrink

(42,770 posts)
13. Wow thanks. Who would have thought an expert would have noticed
Thu Jun 18, 2015, 11:16 PM
Jun 2015

and read my thread. DU is the best. Thank you so much for taking all that time to respond !!

OakCliffDem

(1,274 posts)
17. I've heard that cruising at speeds in excess of 100 MPH dries cars out
Fri Jun 19, 2015, 06:05 AM
Jun 2015

Of course going faster that 100 for prolonged periods of time occasionally causes brown stains on the seats.

NV Whino

(20,886 posts)
19. Baking soda for the odor
Fri Jun 19, 2015, 11:06 AM
Jun 2015

They make special boxes to put in the fridge with sreened, but open sides. Works wonders on odor.

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