I discovered today that the interior of my convertible is covered in mold. If you want to know how I berkeleyed up and allowed this to happen, read the next paragraph. If you don't give a e36 M3 how I screwed up, but have helpful advice, skip down to WHAT TO DO?
This car is not currently driven but I start it every month or so and move it in and out of the garage bay as space needs dictate. It has been mostly inside for a couple of years. I parked the car outside for two weeks while another project occupied the garage. I was out of town when we got a terrific rainstorm. I knew that it had rained while I was gone, but I guess I underestimated exactly how severe the storm was. The car doesn't normally leak, but apparently it did this time! I put it back in the garage, windows closed, and did not notice what was probably 3" of water in the passenger rear footwell. That was approximately a month ago and haven't glanced at it again until today. It gets better - it is a white interior.
WHAT TO DO?
It has white perforated vinyl seats, which are moderately stained. Every interior surface will have to be cleaned. So far, this is what I've done. The weather is beautiful right now with no rain predicted. I put the car outside, put the top down, and I'm trying to get it dry. I've pulled the floor mats out, mopped up the remaining standing water and propped the carpet up in the worst area to try to get it dried out. I've taken a couple of swipes at the mold on the front seats, steering wheel, seat belts, etc with a common household spray cleaner and a towel. Things like the sun visors and dash should be relatively easy to clean. I figure the carpets will have to come out completely to be cleaned and reinstalled.
I also understand mold can be nasty stuff, so I imagine I'll have to take some precautions there.
So step one is to try to get the car dried out. What's step two?
bleach + water to kill it..
Nashco
SuperDork
10/6/08 7:13 p.m.
Put the top back up, first of all, you don't want it getting any worse. Open the windows all the way if you want to air it out and trust it won't get rained on outside. Next, go get yourself some of these:
http://www.drizair.com/
Your hardware store should stock them or something similar in design. These work awesome in pulling moisture out of the air and collecting them in an easy to empty container. Close the top, windows, etc. so the car is air tight and put the dehumidifier in there. At first it'll collect tons of moisture, you'll want to check on it daily and dump the reservoir/top off the chemical agent. This will pull the moisture out, that's the most important step. I suspect you'll be cleaning it simultaneously....depending on how old the car is, the materials you're trying to clean (vinyl, cloth, fiberboard, plastic, etc.), and how bad the mold is you're going to have all sorts of different methods. As mentioned, watered down bleach works well for stuff that won't get damaged by the bleach.
Bryce
Depending on whether it is mold or bacteria, you are going to want to approach it differently. I would research Quaternary Ammonia's (www.epa.gov and type in "mold" into the search bar). Trust me on this one, I have a LOT of experience in mold remediation. Bacteria typically takes a different approach.
Nashco wrote: These work awesome in pulling moisture out of the air and collecting them in an easy to empty container. Close the top, windows, etc. so the car is air tight and put the dehumidifier in there.
agreed on the dessicant dehumidifiers, thats what we use in some of the buildings that we deal with that are REALLY wet. Fixing the moisture should be priority #1, then cleanup.
lol, I would tend to agree. Theres something about setting a huge fire that just makes you feel good. 
Big box fans are two for $10 at the big box stores. Lots of airflow helps to dry things out!
I've got all the seats and most of the carpet out. I've wiped down the seats with detergent, bleach and water. The carpet is gross, but I think I can get it back to normal. So far (and it is still early in the process), things are cleaning up pretty well.
Still a few stubborn spots.
Not dry yet!
Dan, thanks for your encouragement. I may roast some hot dogs over this thing sooner or later.
