I need some more help.
I did a really, really stupid thing. I mowed this huge lawn for a new fortnightly customer. They have no composter and dont want one either. So I bagged the grass up. I had to go over the lawn 3 times because it was so long and took me 2 hours.
Had about 6 large wheely bin size paper bags. I left them in the van for 3 days (Easter). In the heat they were cooking in the back. My son said "mom, why is your back window of the van condensated from the inside?" I had a sudden lightbulb moment and rushed out. The van was wet inside and the smell horrendous. Every thing was wet. The waterdrops were dripping from the roof and running down the sides. I left the doors open to let the wind clear out the damp and smell. I took a rag and had to wipe down the inside.
My problem is that the front of the cab, which did not get wet as such but it was starting to creep through, smells worse than the back which has dried out OK I think, as the wooden surfaces are feeling dry to the touch. Each time I open the cab door this wall of damp rotten smell is hitting me. I have to drive with one window open and the fan going full blast. How can I get rid of the smells? I thought I may need to wash the seats. Can one do that without damaging them? I just want to chuck dozens of febreeze bottles into the cab and the back, just waiting on a nice hot day. Sunday looks just perfect for the task.
Any ideas from you guys who have been in the game a bit longer than me?
Views: 522
Replies
Is your van ply lined? you could have water sitting under the ply. Apart from removing the worst of it I think time will be the best healer. You could speed that up with a heater and ventilation or close it up with a dehumidifier. Once dry spray with something like tea tree oil.
OK Thanks. I prefer the tree tea oil because its natural. Febreze gives me asthma . Yes it is ply lined. May have to get it renewed next year.
Also a wind driven roof vent makes a huge difference to the initial build up. Not to difficult to install yourself too.
I find a good clean of the cab with autoglym vinyl and rubber care does some good now. Then just let the back dry out completely. Ply holds moisture and smells well. I painted my ply with an acrylic floor paint. Stopped the worst of it :)
Thats also a good idea. May do this in the summer if I have the time. When the van get new ply I will definitely paint it up to protect the wood.
I think it comes with the territory to a degree but I have learnt grass cuttings are one to offload as soon as poss, even left overnight it can get pretty fruity. This weekend is set to be warm, unload all you can and open everything and it should clear soon enough. My cargo bay is plastic lined inside, less weight and won't hold moisture or smells - something to think about ?
if the water has got underneath the ply it could be there for a long time and re occur if it gets wet again. try putting it on a slope or the front wheels on ramps and giving it a good swill out with clean water and then let it drain out
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next