Car care & driving
How to Get Rid of Bad Smells in Your Car
Autopapyrus
A new car greets you with that fresh "new car" smell. Over time, though, the interior picks up foreign and not always pleasant odors. This happens because upholstery materials quickly absorb the harsh stench of cigarette smoke, musty mold and mildew odors, or the smells that come from frequently carrying pets, and then hold onto them for a long time.
In most cases, these odors can't be removed at a car wash. Interior cleaning there usually relies on cheap, low-effectiveness cleaners that only handle minor dirt. Air fresheners don't solve the problem either: they simply mix with the bad smell and mask it for a short while. They are also not recommended for people with allergies.
But don't despair. There are plenty of ways to create a comfortable, pleasant atmosphere inside your car, and they start with regular cleaning and removing any source of dirt.
1. Wash your car regularly. Try to wash your car as often as you can, either yourself or at a trusted car wash that uses quality, gentle cleaning products. Make it a habit to check under the seats and in the door pockets from time to time, because that is where all kinds of trash tends to pile up and can cause a lingering smell, such as spoiled food. When washing the car, pay special attention to the upholstery, floor mats, glove box, child seat, and cargo area.
2. Clean wood, plastic, and metal surfaces with a soft cloth and a cleaner made specifically for car interiors. Keep in mind that leather must be treated only with products made specifically for leather.
3. Scrub fabric upholstery with a brush. Before vacuuming the interior, go over all fabric surfaces with a stiff brush and a cleaner designed for stubborn dirt. This matters because bad odors sink first into seats covered in cloth or velour. To make cleaning the floor mats easier, take them outside and rinse them thoroughly. Once the interior has dried after washing, you can start vacuuming. Be sure to vacuum the cargo area as well.
4. Remove tobacco smoke odor. If a tobacco smell remains after all that work, or a burnt smell from a fire, put a waffle-weave towel in a metal bowl and pour in white distilled vinegar. Set the bowl near the ashtrays in the car, or, for a burnt smell, near the affected areas. Within a few hours, the vinegar will absorb the unpleasant odor. Another option is to mix water with baking soda and apply it to the interior surfaces with a spray bottle. After this treatment, keep the car closed for a few hours. To get rid of a musty mold smell, wash the floor mats and dry them thoroughly. And to prevent food odors, remove any food mess right away.
5. Replace the cabin air filter. Changing the cabin air filter regularly greatly reduces the chance of bad odors inside the car. To do it correctly, you will need a repair manual for your vehicle.
A good owner's manual and repair manual will help you operate and maintain your car properly and get more out of it.
In most cases, these odors can't be removed at a car wash. Interior cleaning there usually relies on cheap, low-effectiveness cleaners that only handle minor dirt. Air fresheners don't solve the problem either: they simply mix with the bad smell and mask it for a short while. They are also not recommended for people with allergies.
But don't despair. There are plenty of ways to create a comfortable, pleasant atmosphere inside your car, and they start with regular cleaning and removing any source of dirt.
1. Wash your car regularly. Try to wash your car as often as you can, either yourself or at a trusted car wash that uses quality, gentle cleaning products. Make it a habit to check under the seats and in the door pockets from time to time, because that is where all kinds of trash tends to pile up and can cause a lingering smell, such as spoiled food. When washing the car, pay special attention to the upholstery, floor mats, glove box, child seat, and cargo area.
2. Clean wood, plastic, and metal surfaces with a soft cloth and a cleaner made specifically for car interiors. Keep in mind that leather must be treated only with products made specifically for leather.
3. Scrub fabric upholstery with a brush. Before vacuuming the interior, go over all fabric surfaces with a stiff brush and a cleaner designed for stubborn dirt. This matters because bad odors sink first into seats covered in cloth or velour. To make cleaning the floor mats easier, take them outside and rinse them thoroughly. Once the interior has dried after washing, you can start vacuuming. Be sure to vacuum the cargo area as well.
4. Remove tobacco smoke odor. If a tobacco smell remains after all that work, or a burnt smell from a fire, put a waffle-weave towel in a metal bowl and pour in white distilled vinegar. Set the bowl near the ashtrays in the car, or, for a burnt smell, near the affected areas. Within a few hours, the vinegar will absorb the unpleasant odor. Another option is to mix water with baking soda and apply it to the interior surfaces with a spray bottle. After this treatment, keep the car closed for a few hours. To get rid of a musty mold smell, wash the floor mats and dry them thoroughly. And to prevent food odors, remove any food mess right away.
5. Replace the cabin air filter. Changing the cabin air filter regularly greatly reduces the chance of bad odors inside the car. To do it correctly, you will need a repair manual for your vehicle.
A good owner's manual and repair manual will help you operate and maintain your car properly and get more out of it.
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