STOP Musty Moldy Bad Smells Coming From Your Car’s AC And Heater Vents Permanently! How To DIY

[@FixThisHouse]

ITEMS I USED ON THIS VIDEO: - FRIGi-FRESH - amzn.to/3VIBoOe - KOOL-It Evaporator and Heater Foam Cleaner - amzn.to/3RM5Up8 - Drain Pan - amzn.to/3zk3O9H

[@carnold.knowledge]

Good video, been using Frigi Fresh for years. I would recommend removing your cabin filter (if present) before spraying. Otherwise the cabin filter will absorb a fair amount of the Frigi Fresh. It will still be effective, just not as much. Also, both the sprays and especially some of the foams for the drain are very bad to breathe in. So let that stuff air out

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you for this tip my friend! 🙏🏽😊

[@MusicMike747]

Don’t forget to set the a/c intake for outside air and not recycled so the product gets pulled into the system

[@blakespower]

what you can also do is if you run your AC, like 2 minutes before you get to your destination turn off the AC and turn on the heat to high, both floor and front vents so air wont condense with water inside the air ducts when they are cool and you turn off your car. just think how water condenses on a glass of ice thats happening inside the vents and there is dust and spores in there that when it gets wet Fungus Mold comes alive and stinks

[@Miami543210]

Of course! That makes so much sense dude. That makes more sense than anything. Essentially, you were drawing out your AC vents for turning your car off correct? How could that not work. I’m gonna use that method that you just suggested.

[@modern_method]

​@@Miami543210 are you being sarcastic?? what's going on here?

[@lexijones8019]

Exactly

[@aclizarda]

He should shut his mouth up😂😂

[@demon.733]

On a glass of ice ? Wtf

[@elmSTREETnasty]

2:43 That musty smell is usually from running the A/C and then shutting your car off without running hot air through the vents to get rid of the condensation. It's even worse if you live in an area with high humidity. I learned that the hard way.

[@f430ferrari5]

Yes but for most it’s not very practical to crank up the heat in the summer time. I usually just shut the AC off in my Fcar and BMW and just use the fan when I’m close to my destination. My euro cars seem to have this issue more than my Japanese cars. It’s not too bad so I don’t worry about it too much.

[@BroMordekai]

@@f430ferrari5 I had a Honda and Nissan here in texas one for 3 years the other for 6 and never had that issue. And I blast the AC on MAX everytime in the car. However, when I got my BMW I started to have the issue within the first year of owning it.

[@WilsOn_Ws]

@@BroMordekaimy dealer told me that newer cars (any brand) tent to have this issue, as they have this “auto” option for climate, if you leave it to auto, you’ll have the AC and Resurrection always on, causing dry air not able to run through the evaporation box, hence leading mold and mildew to develop… Think back when I driving my older cars, I would have to manipulate the temperature and AC only when I needed😅

[@100pyatt]

Commonly clogged drain tubes as well or partially clogged

[@be5952]

@@WilsOn_Ws - *_"...you'll have the A/C and Resurrection always on...."_* For those confused, I believe the fellow meant *Recirculation* always on, NOT "Resurrection"...which would be hard to have 'on' at the best of times😆.

[@Melissa-rx6iv]

Thank you so much for making this video and leaving links too. My husband's car smells so bad that my son and I refuse to get in it. I will definitely be buying some of these products.

[@mushnbloom]

I use fix this house to help me when I need a little more information on a project around the house and seeing this video makes me feel better knowing that he knows what he is talking about i am a L1 ASE Master technician and the information given in the video and replies to comments are correct

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much for your love and support my friend! 🙏🏽😊

[@Justice4ALL1961]

I use Lysol and it works great

[@timkingsley3932]

I just take a shower. lol

[@Beach-Star-Experience-550-YT]

I just did that this year. Sprayed it with mountain fresh Lysol directly into the vents and it killed whatever was in there. But I will add the front vents under the hood as well after seeing this video. Thanks for the tip!

[@Marvin.45]

​@@timkingsley3932 make sure to use soap

[@clkgroup6367]

The black coloring in the Bosch cabin filter is activated charcoal. It's there to help remove outside odors before they enter the cabin.

[@obetcorea9985]

Great video and explanation. Thanks, buddy!

[@mytrigger5613]

Lysol works great also, lemon fresh

[@heart4arts519]

You said the newer car has a musty smell. If it’s a Toyota RAV4, it’s got a manufacturer service alert for leaky roof rails. I’m happy to see your video, because although my 2019 RAV4 was fixed by a dealership*, it still smells musty time to time. *one dealership charged me diagnostic fee and said they couldn’t duplicate the leak (never going back there again).

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you for the info my friend. My newer Car is the Mazda. It was actually when I got the car serviced that the car started smelling bad! Thanks to FrigiFresh and the Kool-it’s it all been eliminated ever since!

[@nicknistico4240]

I have a rav4 as well, do you know how far the service alert goes back? I can’t get a “farm” smell out of my car. And I clean every little inch of it always. I don’t know what else to do

[@dontderockmerizz3211]

Works better with no cabin filter. Lysol also works great too since it’s kills germs.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thanks I’ll try it next time 👍🏽😊

[@mr.boniato6402]

I've used Lysol and it works pretty good too.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you for sharing!

[@lafayettetyger8467]

Fantastic video brother, thank you, quick and simple

[@1252PFC]

Love this new automotive series. Would like to see a REAL solution to make my yellow headlights to be clear again.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much! I’ll make a video on that as well! Please stay tuned 🙏🏽😊👍🏽

[@OmANnIe]

One of my favorite channels. Great information as always! Thank you! 💙

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much for the love and support! 🙏🏽😊

[@jonblablabla1014]

I have this issue with my window AC at home. Will try it.

[@sglenn6]

Would you want to remove your Cabin Air Filter when spraying it in the intakes in the front? The filter will stop the cleaner. Thanks

[@jimstelljes7140]

Excellent video and ideas. Thanks for sharing.

[@valramos2003]

Definitely trying this! Thanks! Also, regarding the suv ac, any idea what might cause for a driver’s side left ac vent to blow weaker air? All the vents are in the open position.

[@getliquified]

Very well explained. I had that musty smell not that long ago. I'm definitely going to try this ☺️

[@magellanmax]

I used to get the moldy smell the next day after driving in the rain and I kept checking the floor mats and the trunk for any wet spots but nothing showed but the smell went away after a couple of days. Someone suggested replacing the cabin air filter and the smell never came back.

[@sargonoshana2324]

Mine too

[@nateedwards3021]

O3 generator works great! It's just pricey though. But it eliminates any smell almost anywhere. I use to have a Ecoquest Breeze AT

[@kirkdarling4120]

If you have a cabin air filter, wouldn't you want to spray into some point behind the filter instead of before it?

[@joewhite917]

I bought a used 2023 Toyota Tundra, that had pretty bad cigarette order. I ended up buying an ozone generator, I out in it the interior of the truck, let it run. I have programed hitting unlock unlock to lower all or the windows and open the sunroof. Oder has been gone and never came back.

[@SnowRaver-p2v]

didn't think people actually used ozone anymore. ozone will remove just about any odor, even cat urine. my grandparents had a small unit in their car and would bring it into hotel rooms to get rid of cigarette smell (back when there weren't really restrictions on smoking everywhere) I do believe ozone will eat away at plastics over time making them sticky to the touch. but that's after long periods of constant high ozone.

[@FixThisHouse]

Wow thanks! I’ll have to try the ozone generator in the future! 🙏🏽👍🏽😊

[@DushiLime]

If an ozone machine is not in the budget or is not feasible. Ozium makes a fogger, and Zep, Lysol, etc make products that can be used in an unoccupied car or home AC intake (remove the filters first and leave the AC running for about 15 minutes). For the car, let it sit overnight after treatment before opening up. For the home, treat right before leaving for the day. I have used these because of flooding at home, used cars with horrendous smells, failing weatherstripping, roof racks, sunroof, leaving the windows down in the rain etc.

[@arthurnorcome3967]

i was today years old when i learned about any of this. thanks for the video

[@BobBohner4851]

Great info for my allergies

[@FixThisHouse]

It helped out my allergies a lot! 👍🏽😊

[@adipakiamerican4628]

Very well explained. Thank u ! I am gonna do all three so my work truck can smell better.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you! Wish you the best! 👍🏽😊🙏🏽

[@1252PFC]

Thank you for the video. Do you something similar for flushing out your home a/c pipes?

[@carlobi]

Did you just spray that with the vent set on recirculate?

[@MohammadRezaReza-y3e]

Thank you sir good video also I have questions my car 11 Honda odyssey only two vent air top the redid didn’t work how can I fo

[@BlackRoses-xo2yp]

Can you PLEASE do a video about how to get rid of those stale orders in a window air conditioner? Also, a video on how to clean a window air conditioner.

[@mastalee1776]

The first method using the spray. wouldn't it be better to take the cabin airfilter out first? And whenn your done spraying. Turn off the ac. Let the chemical clean the fan or the evaporator. And than turn the ac back on to blow any remaining chemical spry?

[@joebinx3838]

You forgot the. Most important step. Make sure the AC is on fresh air and not the recirculating mode, otherwise the AC intake will not be taking in any air from the AC intake.

[@vision1707]

Ac on fresh air meaning outside air ?

[@joebinx3838]

@vision1707 yes. Every AC has a button for recirculate, so when the button is off the AC is pulling in fresh air.

[@dangeles00]

Thanks for the tips. Just ordered the frigi-fresh can.

[@DDLTex]

Thanks again appreciate all your videos

[@mariosagas]

Does Lysol works the same?

[@stevevlahos1]

Thank you for making this video.

[@PeterMacIntyre-sv4qr]

When you use frigi fresh, how long does the fresh smell last for?

[@DON_DA_PYRO]

Saw a video that said you could spray lysol. Any opinion on that

[@gearedupkim9516]

Awesome video…Very helpful👍👍 Thank you!

[@FixThisHouse]

I’m glad I could be of help! 👍🏽😊🙏🏽

[@jdl4808]

Looks like you had the recirculation on while spraying the outside vent…

[@kejuanlynette8531]

This was very educational! Thanks!

[@flordelizaoconnor8014]

What about after removing the filter vent and the dead rat causing the insulation partly damage , can I use the one Use in house insulation I just need a piece?

[@Igryan8]

So how long do you run the AC for?

[@ramoncarrillo6467]

Thank you for this video is a great one

[@FixThisHouse]

I’m glad I could be of help! 🙏🏽😊

[@flickboogers9325]

Another great video but quick question about the evaporator drain when you go through a car wash and do the undercarriage glass which shoots water up under the car does that cause any issues with the AC drain?

[@FixThisHouse]

Great question, it doesn’t because it is angled and the end has an anti flow back flap. Each model is different, but only intentional direct water pressure might penetrate it, which is very rare

[@flickboogers9325]

@@FixThisHouse Thanks for the clarification!

[@alzaspa8857]

I used this on the drain and almost everything came out. If it’s safe for hybrids can I run the Koolit through the vents to access the evaporator or maybe after the cabin air filter through the glove box getting the lower vent passages? Need help

[@velen99]

Oh my goodness! Thanks bro!

[@darwinhippen7010]

Can I do the same procedure? On my diesel truck pick up truck.?

[@uckyoutube]

How is the spray content gonna go through the cabin filter?

[@axjohn]

Excellent video!

[@LilyWillow22]

can change cabin filter too

[@FixThisHouse]

Yes please watch the last method in this video

[@gillyboyNY]

Would frigifresh work with home window ac

[@mariut00]

Just recently I was going to change my Cabin air filter and to my surpirse my filter was missing (god dam shop that does "full service" ey?), There is a lot of crustified dirt inside the slot now, any recomendations in how to clean up thata space since its in a rather incovenient spot? or would it be ok if I just replace the filter straight up?

[@mrpaigehatch]

Toyota sells a kit for cleaning the evaporator coil and it flushes out all the mold and mildew!😎😎😎

[@ciclonatural.rossangelimd]

Great explanation, thank you! Do I leave the recirc button on or off?

[@be891]

The recirculation button should be off.

[@WilliamsburgNY628]

Great video my friend, especially when you have different passengers riding along, your interior can start to smell after a while from body orders, colognes, pets riding along, even from that musty stench when entering your car from a downpour, your seats & rugs get saturated & the order start kicking in, whew. I'm always using carpet powder deodorizer to neutralize the stench, let it sit in the rugs for about 15 minutes then vacuum. Lots of different brands out there, I usually use the Arm & Hammer products. Really enjoy reading everyone's comments too which is helpful on some other tips they throw in from their professional background, which is helpful and time saving, then trying to think of a million things to type in that search bar. Look forward to some more of your videos.

[@be5952]

If a lot of the smell in cars used like yours comes from those sources (touching the upholstery) then *you would need to treat / clean the seats and arm rests too,* no🤔?

[@BrianDoesStuff873]

great video, thanks for sharing.

[@FixThisHouse]

I’m glad I could be of help! 👍🏽😊

[@XX-166]

Your HVAC doesn’t have to be on the recirculating mode?

[@FixThisHouse]

No it does not 👍🏽😊

[@curtw8827]

​@@FixThisHouseit's not going to draw air in under the hood if it's in recirculation mode

[@TheAsiaFM]

Perfect thank you so much!!

[@Barbara-s3b9m]

Thank You for Much Needed Knowledge*

[@FixThisHouse]

You are very welcome! 🙏🏽

[@stevelozano9523]

1 thing I never recommend is to Never, Never jack up any car at the radiator support frame. It's not ment for that kind of weight support. Only lift up at jack support points on sides of vehicle.

[@d.l.9517]

Just run your fan the last mile or two before you get home (without the AC off and the HVAC venting fresh, outside air) and you won't get this problem to begin with. Preventative is better than fixing the problem.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thanks for the info! I’ll try it in the future 👍🏽😊

[@ssing7113]

people who run errands all day really have time to keep switching the A/C system and fumbling with it ? Every time you get back in the car you have to switch it over again… Nah. Nope. Only for the OCD

[@CeruleanSky1111]

Great video! Thank you!

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you for watching! 👍🏽🙏🏽😊

[@timf6916]

Good information

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you! 🙏🏽👍🏽😊

[@isrealperez9069]

How do you get the walnuts out of the vehicle I guess they put them in there because of the nice smell

[@kennethbumphus2197]

Just make sure your cabin filter is changed regularly and your car will stay smelling fresh it works for me been working for years

[@be5952]

No disrespect intended, but I believe that *those are two different possible sources of interior odour.* The cabin filter can certainly get dirty / smelly / mouldy, but the video is tackling the mould / mildew / dirt *in the vents and/or evaporator of the A/C unit* of the car🙂.

[@robbiexiong3508]

Method 1: i heard you never want to blow this towards the window cause it'll make a mess on the window to clean. also, does that not just cover up the mold instead of cleaning it out?

[@wonderwalls3565]

I have a dusty smell coming when I turn on the heater, no smell with cold air. will this fix my problem?

[@asylumslaves]

Change your cabin filter...

[@mikem4883]

Awesome video

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much! 🙏🏽😊

[@bretgtimk7968]

should you remove your filter before doing this?

[@MusicMike747]

Cabin filter yes

[@georgesebastian6306]

Good to know!!

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you! 🙏🏽

[@be5952]

A quick note to anyone *whose interior cabin air filter is NOT in the easy to access location* that the fellow shows, yes---you might have one of those cars (like I do) where you virtually have to take the whole dash apart to get at it😩. Some are so easy to change you could almost do it with your eyes closed, while others were designed by engineer idiots who force you to do extensive, complicated disassembly of many parts of your dash (and even console) area *just to change a little paper filter!* No, you''re not crazy---just unlucky.

[@lindanam1779]

Can fridgie fresh work on EV cars, Teslas?

[@FixThisHouse]

Yes! As long as there is an air intake vent for your AC 👍🏽😊

[@tonyj180]

Great thanks

[@VWonder737]

Thanks 😊

[@FixThisHouse]

I’m glad I could be of help! 🙏🏽😊

[@hdg630]

What if the smell only appears once I turn the AC off?

[@Heidi-Beth]

What about window AC?

[@Tatu223]

Thank you 😎✌🏻

[@useemehere2]

good tips

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much! 🙏🏽😊

[@nhanlam1277]

Thank u You so much…..!

[@abdouallahuniverse5689]

The third method is the effective way to get ride of that smell, just replace the cabine air filter, clean the place very well with vacuum, and if necessary use some product to clean the evaporator directly, and the air cabine filter place and let it dry very well, and then install the new air cabine filter, and problem solved.

[@toycoma98]

Step 3 should be step 1, replace cabin filter first then do the other steps if its still smelly. For your step 1, you have to switch it from recirculating to outside air, then you can spray in the cowl area. For step 3 some cabin filters have carbon which looks black.

[@BoomShakalaka777]

No he had it right, I have a relatively new air filter but after 2 months of heavy AC use I got that moldy smell and Lysol worked like a charm! Chances are more likely that the smell/mold is in the air intake where he sprayed and not the air filter bub!

[@natebyars2439]

Thanks

[@denismanace]

My 22 Explorer doesn't produce evap drain water .

[@HeydaCarreras]

NEVER DO THAT AT 1:55. that could burn your window fuses. Do it one at a time, no two or more at the same time.

[@jdedad]

You missed a key step the AC needs to be with outside air intake open you showed it was in recirculating it won’t pull any air in the way you showed it

[@FixThisHouse]

Works either way 👍🏽😊

[@FixThisHouse]

Works either way 👍🏽😊

[@arlenokstar]

@@FixThisHouse If it's set to recirc mode then it's not pulling anything from the cowl when you spray into it. The car might as well be off at that point.

[@bober1019]

yes, spray wd 40 in the vents!

[@peterrudy9207]

You could use a ozone machine .

[@mccaine1]

I Love this! Thanks for the help!

[@FixThisHouse]

I’m glad i could be of help!

[@trevorwilliams6604]

Is this not masking the smell ??

[@banon7853]

Ha do all of them, new car 😊

[@patrickboucher1480]

Why do you have a pic of spraying WD 40 in the vents of car when that was not part of the 3 solutions in the video?

[@kerplunk38880]

I used wd40 like you showed in your video snapshot and it ruined my AC.

[@Dstromb232]

Nice.

[@jasonchristopher2977]

Always put urr finger in the hole before you empty all the white stuff. It will help keep it inside the evap.

[@aristotleaquino3067]

Change your in cabin air filter.

[@tompenn6706]

I only smell the musty smell when running through vents when AC is not on. Would it be ok to do this same procedure without turning on the AC as that is the only time I smell the musty smell ?

[@FixThisHouse]

I would do both ways yes 👍🏽

[@tompenn6706]

I will do both ways then, thanks

[@boooshannon]

What about using the same foam cleaner to the aircond vents inside the car and at the aircond filter position? ​@@FixThisHouse

[@100pyatt]

Clean your drain line first before doing this ✅