How to Get Rid of Bad Smells From Your Car's Air Conditioner

If your car's AC smells musty, there's an easy fix

Co-authored by Tom Eisenberg

Last Updated: August 6, 2024 Approved

If there is an odd, moldy smell that kicks in as soon as you turn your air conditioning on, you don't have to close your nose and bear it. More likely than not, you've built up some mold and mildew thanks to moisture in your AC system. This moisture occurs naturally, and is part of the car, but if left for too long it can create mold. As air pumps past the evaporator and into the car, it picks up mold spores, which feed on the moisture. Luckily, they are easy to clean, and your car will smell good as new.

Note: This article deals with AC odors, which are moldy, mildewy smells (like old socks, wet dogs, etc.) For burning or chemically smells, take your car to a dealer immediately.^{[1]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Removing AC Odors

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Specialty sprays may be the best bet for serious odors, but for smaller problems (or to stay ahead of potential smells) you can use an over-the-counter disinfectant spray like Lysol.
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Alternatively, make your own all-natural spray with a vinegar and water. Mix up one part white vinegar with three parts water, then put it in an old spray bottle or solvent sprayer. While vinegar isn't the most pleasant smell, it will fight the mildew naturally and it will fade off quickly.
- Throw in the juice from half a lemon to get a slightly fresher and longer lasting scent.^{[2]
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Flick both switches into the off position and make sure the car isn't running.
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Spray your disinfectant into every single vent. Make sure you get in the backseats and hit the vents at your feet, which often pump the most air. There are also vents on the dashboard, and usually one on the pointing on the back windshield as well.
- Keep the doors closed as you do this. You want the cleaning fluid to get in the system.
This will start to circulate air around the system for you, getting your cleaning solution around the AC system. Keep it on this "Max" setting at first to kick the system into gear.
You can find your re-circulation vent by checking your manual. It is often on the drivers side floor, near the console, or in the trunk. The little button with arrows pointing a circle tells your car to stop taking air from the outside, and instead recycle the air from the inside. Press this button if you have it, then spray down this vent to make sure your cleaning fluid is staying in the system.
You want to be blowing more air, not cooling more air. This should prevent additional moisture from coming in.
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For serious issues, lift the hood, replace the cabin air filter and spray down all the intake lines. If you have nasty odors coming from the car and no way to stop them, grab your owner's manual and lift the hood. The AC system is back towards the windshield, under the plastic grate and filter where ^{[3]
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- While there, spray the whole apparatus down with your cleaning aerosol to fight and kill any mold or mildew.
This is your final "drying out," and it will prevent mold and mildew from reestablishing your old odors.^{[5]
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If the smell still won't go away, don't ignore it. It won't get any better on its own. Take it to the dealer to make sure the smell is not the cause of something more serious, and to handle the problem before it becomes worse than just a bad smell.^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Preventing AC Odors

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This gives the evaporator time to dry off excess moisture (key for mildew/mold growth) using the hot air from the engine. No moisture means no mold, which means no smell!^{[7]
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Keep the fans on high as the car shuts down. With the AC off, keep the fans blasting to make sure a lot of air hits the evaporator and removes any mildew, moisture, or mold spores from taking root.
- Note -- this is a way to prevent further growth. It will likely not help remove the actual smell if it is already there.
This can prevent all mold from ever getting a foothold. Remember that the AC, not the fan, creates the moisture that spawns mold. The fan will just heat it up from the hot car motor (hopefully killing it) and then remove it from the AC evaporator.
Warm, wet environments are paradise for mold and mildew. Furthermore, the more you use your AC, the more likely it is to grow dirty. Keep on top of the issue with regular cleanings, as noted above.

Expert Q&A

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Will changing my cabin air filter make my car smell better?

Tom Eisenberg
Car Mechanic
Tom Eisenberg is the Owner and General Manager of West Coast Tires & Service in Los Angeles, California, a family-owned AAA-approved and certified auto shop. Tom has over 10 years of experience in the auto industry. Modern Tire Dealer Magazine voted his shop one of the Best 10 Operations in the Country.

Tom Eisenberg

Car Mechanic

Expert Answer

It might improve the smell if the filter is causing it. Almost all cars have two filters, one that services your engine and another that filters the inside cabin. When your AC vent starts to smell, it's most likely the cabin filter that's responsible because it collects the most dirt and grime.

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Tips

Make sure to get every vent as you clean for the best results. Check every seat, the dash, and even the trunk.

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The same technique can be used on a wall AC unit that has developed an odour while it was turned off for a few days. A short term solution to tide you over before a more thorough cleaning.

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