Florida’s winter is mild in temperature, but heavy in moisture. Cool mornings, sudden showers, and salty air combine to leave interiors damp. That moisture feeds mildew, creates foggy glass, and leaves a stubborn musty smell.
The good news is that a few habits and some targeted maintenance can keep your cabin clean, dry, and comfortable all season.
Why Florida Winters Invite Odors and Mold
Mold thrives when humidity stays high and air sits still. On the Space Coast, you get both. Short drives do not warm the cabin enough to evaporate moisture, so wet floor mats and seat fabric never fully dry. Evening temperature drops make water condense on cool glass and plastic.
Left alone, that dampness settles into carpet padding and the HVAC box, which is why a car can smell fine at noon and musty the next morning.
Daily Habits That Keep Moisture Out
Start with what you carry into the cabin. Knock sand and water off shoes before getting in, and shake out mats at the end of the day. If the forecast looks rainy, keep a small towel in the door pocket to blot seats and sills. Leave a little space between cargo and the rear glass so air circulates when you run the fan. Parking strategy helps too.
Choose a spot that gets a bit of midday sun to warm the cabin and encourage evaporation without baking everything for hours.
Use Your A/C and Defog Features Correctly
Air conditioning does more than cool the air. It removes moisture. On humid days, use the A/C with the temperature set to warm enough for comfort. This dries the air before it enters the cabin and clears fog quickly. Avoid recirculating for long stretches in damp weather because it traps humid air and body moisture inside. Once the glass is clear, switch to fresh air so the system can breathe.
Before you shut the car off, let the fan run for a minute with A/C off to move dry air across the evaporator and help it shed leftover condensation.
Cabin Filter, Evaporator, and Drain: The Moisture Trio
A dirty cabin air filter restricts airflow and raises humidity because less air passes over the cold evaporator. If airflow feels weak or your defroster takes longer than it used to, inspect the filter. The evaporator itself can collect organic film from dust and pollen. That film holds moisture and can host odor, which is why the first minutes after startup sometimes smell the worst. Finally, the A/C drain must drip freely.
If the drain tube clogs, water pools in the HVAC box and the musty scent never really goes away. Clearing the drain and disinfecting the evaporator are small jobs that make a big difference.
Track Down Leaks Before They Breed Mold
Not all dampness comes from the sky. Sunroof drains can clog with leaf bits and send water down A-pillars and under the carpet. The door membrane leaks and wet the front mats after a car wash. Trunk seals let water creep into the spare tire well, and that stale air gets pulled into the cabin under acceleration. If you notice recurring moisture in one area, press the carpet and listen for a squish.
A quick water test with a garden hose can reveal where a seal or drain needs attention.
Clean Soft Surfaces the Right Way
When odors have already settled in, surface cleaning helps, but pace yourself. Vacuum first to remove grit that holds moisture. Use a fabric-safe cleaner to lift salt and organic residue from seat fabric and floor mats. For carpet, a light extraction works better than soaking, since over-wetting drives water into the padding. Rubber or all-weather mats are your friend in winter because they keep water contained and easy to dump.
If leather smells musty, wipe with a mild cleaner, then condition once it is completely dry.
When a Deep HVAC Cleaning Makes Sense
If the smell returns every time you start the car, the source is likely inside the HVAC box. An evaporator service uses a targeted foaming cleaner to break down film on the fins, then flushes it out the drain. In stubborn cases, a professional odor treatment can follow, which circulates a disinfecting mist through the ducts. This approach treats the cause rather than just masking the smell with fragrances.
Pair that with a fresh cabin filter and you will usually notice stronger airflow, faster defogging, and a cleaner scent within a day.
Keep It Fresh with Inmon Automotive in Merritt Island, FL
If your car keeps fogging or a musty odor lingers, we can help. Our team checks cabin filters, clears A/C drains, cleans evaporators, and finds leaks that let moisture sneak inside.
Schedule an appointment with Inmon Automotive in Merritt Island, FL, and we will restore clean airflow and a fresh, dry interior that stays comfortable through Florida’s damp winter.