How to Make Your Car Smell Good

Feb 19, 2016

There’s nothing better than “new car smell,” but one thing is for certain—it doesn’t last long! After just a few months, even a new car can begin to smell like an old sock, or worse. That’s because moisture, dirt, and grime from the road gets into your car, and the constant in-and-out of passengers brings in more dirt and foreign objects. Well, you don’t have to suffer the “old car smell” anymore. Use these simple tips to help your car smell wonderful again.

Vacuum the Carpeting

Carpet sops up smells like a sponge soaks up water. Dirt from outside, grease from the roads, grime from your shoes, and other items you routinely take into your car, such as snacks and sodas, get ground into the mats. Vacuuming removes odor-bearing particles and, thus, lingering smells.

Clean Out Your Trash

If possible, clean your car every day. Never let food, drinks, or trash spend the night inside your car. Even over the course of a few hours, food and other biodegradables decompose, releasing foul-smelling odors in your car. These particles also collect inside fabric, causing the smell to stick around.

Use Air Fresheners and Odor Eaters

Air fresheners cover up tough smells. You must apply them repeatedly, but they’re generally effective. Look for car-specific air fresheners in automotive stores that work on car interiors. Odor-eating sponges will also suck scents right out of the air.

Make use of these tips, and your car will soon smell like it just rolled off the assembly line.

Image provided by Flickr