Mildew odor cleaning

[NH-75-Z]

In a recently aquired 72-280...that had been garaged for

20 years !!!!!......I have a severe mildew odor and residue on

all of the interior.

Seats will probably be removed and replaced...but carpet and

interior vinyl is in great shape...just smells.

Any tips for cleaning/deodorizing would be appreciated.

[sblake01]

Diluted TSP is always good for mildew. You can find it in harware stores with the cleaning solutions or sometimes in the grocery stores.

[beandip]

TSP is ment for oil grease , for mold and or mildew a solution of denatured alcohol and water will work , bleach is the best but will damage the carpet . as for the ordor the vary best thing I have found is FABREZE with out a doubt. I used it on the matting from the firewall and trans tunnel . It was musty smelling form being wet for a long time. this was from a parts car. I had dried it out but it still smelled vary musty . I sprayed everything well with Fabreze and let dry completely and the ordor was completely gone . Personally I would just wype down the seats and vinyl with a solution of dish washing soap and water , vacuum the carpets and clean if necessary . If the carpets are faded spray with SEM brand color coat . Landau black, it is the same sheen as the factory when used on the plastic , I used it on my plastic trim pannels and they look like new . The same with the carpet . Be sure to to follow the directions on the can. The febreze is found in the super market in the laundry section . SEM I bought mine at a auto body paint store . The company that makes it is in Charlotte NC 704-522-1006 . There maybe other compnanies that make similer stuff ,but I know of this brand and it works great. Gary

[sblake01]

TSP (Tri Sodium Phospate) if you can find the real stuff and oxalic acid are both excellent at removing mildew stains. They don't do much for the smell, kinda like replacing one smell with another, but they do remove mildew.

[beandip]

Oxalic acid ? I have used that for removing rust stains from concrete and painted wood but not for mildue . New one for me , thanks . On my Boat before and after winter storage being covered , I used a disinfectant called LYSOL , it kills mildue and mold plus it smells good. It is 79% Ethanol ( alcohol ) Gary

[kenz240z]

For the vinyl try Meguiar's vinyl cleaner. It should work well for cleaning up the plastic & vinyl interior pieces and will leave them smelling nice. Febreeze will make things smell nice, as Beandip suggested. It should work well on the carpets.

[NH-75-Z]

Thanks guys...today was the 1st chance to get into it...made some good progress

with just 409 and window cleaner. I use fabreze all the time ( cause I have 2 dogs )

I'm just amazed at the conditon of this garaged car...everything is there and just

like new...even the fussy strip on the windows...just like new. Matting under the

carpet perfect ( but smelly )...not even a rust bubble on the floor.

[LanceM]

may sound stupid but after you clean it spread around and rub in plenty of dry used coffee grounds and let them sit for a couple of days, then sweep them out.... I've not tried it but sometimes the really stupid sounding stuff works, and used coffee grounds are free....

[NH-75-Z]

Since the 240 has only "pieces" of carpet...all can be removed....unlike

the 280 that has it over the tunnel,etc.

So I took the pieces...put them in the doggie pool out back...and washed

them in Tide with Downy Fabric softner. Came out great !!! Just like new.

And they smell Fresh !!

Interior vinyl washed down with vinyl cleaner and Armoralled.

Replace the torn seat covers and the interior looks like new !!