Water entered my car's cabin: How to deal with wet carpet and floor

The service centre guys have quoted me Rs 5,000 for cleaning and want me to leave the car with them for 3 days.

BHPian mgb recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi all,

Unfortunately, while on the way back home earlier this week, I came across a very waterlogged area at night. I couldn't see the road from the car's LED lights, so much water. I checked the car areas on reaching. Fortunately engine was saved and no water was detected on the engine.

Car's luggage / dicky area was dry and there was no water logged there.

But there was water on the car cabin floor - under both the passenger seats and driver seat.

Took me a solid 2 hours to drain out a good amount of water, but yet there is still more.

The car's floor is still wet.

So, my questions:

• What should be done next?
• Should I consider getting the floor cleaned at the service center? They're giving me a quote of 5k and want me to leave the car with them for 3 days.
• Someone suggested that I get the floor rubber plug removed and let the water drain out. Also, drive the car every day for 5 days so that the floor dries up.

Here's what GTO had to say about the matter:

It can really start smelling after a couple of days. Not to mention, the lack of hygiene from having street water in your car.

I would personally have professionals take care of it. Even if it comes to removing the carpeting and cleaning them.

Here's what BHPian Bhuvan had to say about the matter:

During an evening run to provide water to stray animals, my father forgot to close one of the plastic jerry cans properly. Carpet on the passenger side and behind the seat was drenched with water.

My immediate plan was to use newspaper to soak as much water from the carpet as possible and then remove the carpet to further address this issue.

Baleno had torx screw to hold the seat so I had to work around them. Started with removing all the plastic trim and beading near the door area and B pillar to better access the carpet ends. Stuffed newspaper below the carpet and left the car in the sun for 2-3 days, kept windows slightly open for ventilation and changed the newspaper in between and it was fine.

This water issue needs to be addressed immediately otherwise the smell will be impossible to get rid of later. If you are not comfortable doing this then better go to any garage nearby as the carpet is lined with insulator sort of wool from below and boy it soaks water really well.

Here's what BHPian anjan_c2007 had to say about the matter:

That's a terrible, unwanted intrusion of dirty street water into your car. There are quite meaningful suggestions in the trailing threads.

• My first suggestion would be to discard your car's carpet and affix a new OE carpet that should be available in the market.
• Thoroughly clean the floor and all affected components just above the floor. Lizol is quite good but needs to be diluted adequately. I feel these cleaners are blended with acid that could harm the surfaces, these come in contact with. Surf Excel powder should be a better alternative. And if you do it manually, be sure to wash your hands with Dettol.
• Drying it up follows. Sun drying is the best and if you're parking within your premises open all the doors/ tailgate for the sun rays enter and dry the interiors naturally.
• Affix the new carpet after the car is fully cleaned and dried.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.