Fungus on car seats

[mk08]

Hi All
My car's passenger side rear seat has fungus on it. I found it within a month of buying the car. I washed/scrubbed the seat with wash up liquid. It was fine for a month or more, but came back again.
I used vinegar based spray that I bought from homebargains/b&m. I was fine for 2-3 months but it has come back now.

I don't want to be doing it again and again.
Can someone please advice me how to get rid of this fungus for once and all?

Thank you

[anonymous-user]

Unless it has been parked up for month I suspect the car has a leak. Until you fix the leak you are never going to stop the mould.

You need to fix the leak, carpet shampoo the seats and then run a dehumidifier in there.

[mk08]

Thank you for replying Joey.

How can I find the leak. Sorry, I am new driver and I don't know about cars and related technical problems.

How do I run a dehumidifier?

[dhibbert]

What make and model car has the OP got please?

[ReverendCounter]

If the windows steam up a lot in cold weather, you've almost certainly got a leak somewhere. If not, it seems there is a deep seated (pun not intended) bacterial issue deep in the foam. In that case it might be easier just to remove the rear seat and get a decent used one as a replacement.

[mk08]

dhibbert said:

What make and model car has the OP got please?

Suzuki Alto 2010 1.0L

[mk08]

ReverendCounter said:

If the windows steam up a lot in cold weather, you've almost certainly got a leak somewhere. If not, it seems there is a deep seated (pun not intended) bacterial issue deep in the foam. In that case it might be easier just to remove the rear seat and get a decent used one as a replacement.

Yes I do feel like my Windows steam too much. I also get frost/ice on the inner side of my front windscreen.
I can't see a leak. The fungus is mostly on the rear near side seat but inhave found it in small patch in different seats including front ones.

[ReverendCounter]

Yep, you've got a leak which isn't drying out. You can either tackle the cause (find the leak) or just try a few approaches to absorb the damp.

One is a dehumidifier - can you have an electric one running overnight?

Instead - or in conjunction with - you could try a large open container of silica based cat litter. Dry it out by putting it in a medium oven/microwave, then transfer it into an oven tray, and lay it down in the passenger footwell for instance, that should absorb the moisture but you'll need to dry it out after every use because it'll only absorb so much.

Also you can try a waterproof cover over the car but it's a bit of a hindrance if you just want to get in and go. If you're lucky the leak might be easy to fix - but it could also be difficult even if you manage to identify where it is.

More here:

https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/askhj/answer/57074/th...

http://suzuki4u.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8334

Edited by ReverendCounter on Saturday 6th February 19:32

[TEKNOPUG]

Have the interior steam cleaned to kill the mould spores.

It will come back eventually as organic matter gets deposited in the car.

The dampness could be as simple as a blocked cabin filter needing replacing.

Or if the car sits for any length of time it will be condensation in this weather.

[mk08]

TEKNOPUG said:

Have the interior steam cleaned to kill the mould spores.

It will come back eventually as organic matter gets deposited in the car.

The dampness could be as simple as a blocked cabin filter needing replacing.

Or if the car sits for any length of time it will be condensation in this weather.

Thank you for replying. How does cabin filter help with condensation?

[TEKNOPUG]

Let's outside air circulate through the car. If it's blocked up with old leaves etc it could be another source of damp.

[mk08]

TEKNOPUG said:

Let's outside air circulate through the car. If it's blocked up with old leaves etc it could be another source of damp.

Thank you

[Chris32345]

Does your car have air con and of you use it?




I'd advise using Aircon all the time through winter with the heater as well as it help remove moisture in the air along with all the rain and water you drag in on your clothes and boot's

[mk08]

Chris32345 said:

Does your car have air con and of you use it?




I'd advise using Aircon all the time through winter with the heater as well as it help remove moisture in the air along with all the rain and water you drag in on your clothes and boot's

Air conditioner in winter? Ok I will.

[Brian_996TT]

if there’s a sunroof then that could be the cause with a blocked drain and check if the carpets are wet as that’s a good indication of what corner is leaking. some car doors are curved so if the door membrane is damaged water can leak into the car

[mk08]

Brian_996TT said:

if there’s a sunroof then that could be the cause with a blocked drain and check if the carpets are wet as that’s a good indication of what corner is leaking. some car doors are curved so if the door membrane is damaged water can leak into the car

There is no sunroof. Carpet is dry. I can't see any wetness or damp on seat.

[ReverendCounter]

Are your heater/air con control set to recirculate, by any chance? Maybe you just need to switch that to 'air in'. Using the aircon will demist your windscreen a lot quicker and will dry the air out that's inside the cabin.