There are few things more disgusting than getting in your sealed up car after it’s been sitting all day and it smells like a trash dumpster. And when you’re driving around passengers that odor’s not only embarrassing, it can make you all feel downright nauseous. Mold, mildew, cigarette smoke, old food, dirty clothes and pet scents can all insidiously combine to fill your vehicle’s interior with lingering odors that won’t go away no matter how hard you try. Driving around with the windows down or hanging one of those little pine trees from your rearview mirror might help temporarily, but they won’t get to the root of your odor problems. What follows are several proven ways to get your car smelling great again using common everyday household items.
Dryer Sheets
That’s right, not only do dryer sheets keep your clothes smelling better, but they can also be used to eliminate car odors. Simply open a new box of dryer sheets and place it under your front seat to make the cabin air smell refreshed. For a slower release of the scent, keep the box sealed and punch a couple of holes in its top and sides.
Scented Candles
Who doesn’t love the smell of lit scented candles around their home? When you’re trying to make your car smell better place a few smaller unlit scented candles underneath the front seats. Tea light or votive-sized candles work well, and come in hundreds of fragrances for your enjoyment. Avoid using candles that come in jars, as you won’t be able to smell those.
Baking Soda
Grab that box of baking soda off your kitchen shelf and generously sprinkle some around the inside of your car. Get all of the upholstery including the seats, carpeting and floor mats. Baking soda absorbs odors, including musty cigarette smoke, from all around your car’s interior. Let the baking soda sit for 3 to 4 hours after applying, and then carefully vacuum it all out to get your car smelling fresh again.
Vinegar and Water
Another household odor eliminator is vinegar and water. Using a clean spray bottle, mix up a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water, and then spray down the seats with it, one at a time. After applying the mixture to the first seat, immediately wipe it down with a lint-free cloth. Repeat this process for the other seats, and then the dash, carpeting, floor mats, roof liner, and rest of the upholstery. You may notice a slight vinegar smell for a few days, but when that’s gone the unpleasant odors should be too!
Wash the Floor Mats with Dish Soap
Most drivers remember to vacuum their floor mats when cleaning out the inside of their cars, but to truly eliminate nasty odors trapped in the material you need to wash the mats with a brush, water and dish soap. Give your mats a good scrubbing with the soapy water after vacuuming them off first. Then rinse the mats with water from a garden hose or power washer. Allow the mats to air-dry by hanging them over a railing or on a clothesline.
Keep Your Car Deodorized
Once you’ve initially removed the bad odors, in addition to dryer sheets and scented candles, there are other deodorizers that you can use to keep the obnoxious smells from coming back. Those include:
- Charcoal’s important when it’s time to grill out, but placing a couple of lumps under the driver or passenger seat of your car also works well as a deodorizer.
- Orange peels. Eating oranges is healthy for us, and scattering a few orange peels under your front seats will also keep your car smelling healthier too!
- Ground coffee beans. These act as an effective deodorizer when placed in an old sock, or inside a glass jar with a plastic lid that you’ve poked some holes in. Then put the sock or jar in your glove box or under one of the front seats.
Get it Detailed at a Local Body Shop
When your car smells like a trash dumpster on the inside it’s no fun for you or your passengers. If you don’t have time to use the odor-eliminating tips mentioned above, bring it to a local auto body shop instead for some expert interior detailing, and they’ll get it looking and smelling like-new again fast. Body shop pros have the experience and know-how to get the job done right, while restoring your peace-of-mind. Could the outside of your vehicle also use some expert detailing? No problem, as body shops also provide top-quality exterior detailing services that are affordable and dependable. For more information on the reliable auto detailing services that collision repair shops provide, or to search your zip code for a better auto body shop in your area, visit: www.carwise.com now.
