Fresh (and ‘fresh’ very much being the operative word here) off the back of our article on keeping your kitchen smelling clean, we’re here to tackle another culprit of suspicious aromas; your car.
Don’t worry. If your car is smelling a bit suspect, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s been used as a late-night kebab ferrier or there’s a corpse rotting in the boot, Sopranos-style. Odours can creep into materials in thousands of different ways, but if left untreated, they can begin to permeate. And the longer they’re left, the harder they are to get rid of, naturally.
Today, we’ve teamed up with Parkers car valuation, who know a thing or two about keeping cars presentable, to bring you this comprehensive guide on how to rid your car of unwanted odours.
Identify The Source Of The Odour
The first step in combating any unwanted smell is identifying the culprit. Common causes range from spilled food and drink to damp mats, cigarette smoke, or even musty air conditioning systems (more of that in a moment).
Once you’ve located the source, you can address the problem accordingly. For instance, remove any rubbish or debris, clean up spills promptly, and ensure wet areas are thoroughly dried. Also, bear in mind to avoid leaving items such as gym bags and damp clothing in the car for extended periods to prevent the build-up of odours.
Air Out Your Car
Sometimes, a simple airing out can work wonders in eliminating bad smells. Whenever possible, roll down your windows (and let the wind blow back your hair) and let fresh air circulate throughout the vehicle for at least an hour. This is particularly effective when dealing with stale air and mild odours. Additionally, driving with your windows down for a short while can help to expel any trapped odours.
Deep Clean The Interior
A thorough cleaning of your car’s interior can work wonders for neutralising persistent smells. Start by removing all floor mats and vacuuming the carpets, seats, and upholstery. Use a carpet cleaner specifically designed for automotive use to treat any persistent stains or grime.
Don’t forget to clean hard-to-reach areas such as air vents, door pockets, and cup holders. When cleaning the dashboard and other hard surfaces, use a gentle cleaner to prevent damaging the material. Finally, wipe down the windows and mirrors to eliminate any residue that may contribute to unpleasant odours.
Utilise Natural Deodorisers
Baking soda is a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution for absorbing lingering smells. Simply sprinkle a generous amount onto your car’s seats and carpets, allowing it to sit for several hours or even overnight. Vacuum the baking soda and enjoy a fresher-smelling vehicle. Another all-natural solution is placing activated charcoal or coffee grounds in an open container, leaving it in your car overnight. These materials are also known for their ability to absorb and neutralise odours effectively.
Clean Your Air Conditioning System
Stagnant air and bacteria accumulation in your vehicle’s air conditioning system can be a primary source of foul odours. To rectify this problem, start by replacing the cabin air filter, which can trap dust, pollen, and other pollutants. Next, clean the evaporator by applying an aerosol-based air conditioning cleaner directly into the air intake. This will ensure the sanitisation of the evaporator’s coils and help eliminate any mildew or bacteria lurking within the system.
Use Air Fresheners
Once you’ve tackled the root cause of the smell, you can start freshening your car’s air with your favourite scents. There are several types of air fresheners available, such as hanging, vent, and gel-based options. Remember, however, that air fresheners alone won’t eliminate the source of the problem, so it’s essential to address the root cause first.
Odour Eliminators
And if that doesn’t work, you’ll want to try an odour eliminator. These magic formulas work by breaking down whatever lingering smell has burrowed deep in your material by neutralising them with a (not altogether healthy, respiratorily-speaking) potion of chemicals.
Below, we’ve highlighted our five favourite odour eliminators that get to work fast and are designed specifically for the sorts of materials found in cars.
Again, a quick word of warning here: traditional air fresheners certainly spritz up an interior in the short term, but they do nothing to actually get rid of odours. Prevention, cure, and all that.
These, however, might help. Here are some of the best odour eliminators currently on the market:
Autoglym Odour Eliminator
Our favourite, and in our opinion, the best on the market. Prices start from around a tenner, which is pretty decent value considering the efficiency of the product.
It’s designed to eliminate bad odours at the source and is claimed to be excellent on smoke, pets, and spilt food. We like the design too – the square shape means it won’t rattle around in your boot.
ValetPRO Enzyme Odour Eater
Another one that’ll set you back around a tenner. The ValetPRO bottle is effective on all organic content, including mould (a popular reason for smells in cars) and cigarette residue.
Especially helpful if you regularly have your dogs in the car, 500ml bottles are sold ready for immediate use, while larger bottles need to be diluted 5:1 with water.
AirVidox Car Odour Remover
The nuclear option. It costs twice as much as the previous two options, but it is reassuringly designed to eliminate any smell, microbes or insects in your car.
It is a serious bit of kit so it’s not just a case of spraying from a bottle. You need to mix two products together and leave it inside the car for several hours. During which time, you won’t be able to use your vehicle, of course.
Meguiar’s Carpet & Fabric Re-Fresher Odour Eliminator
As you can probably tell by the name, this is one formulated especially for fabrics, permanently removing odours from upholstery and leaving behind a version of that much loved new car scent. We’re into the generous bottle size (709ml) and simple trigger design.
Turtle Wax Odor-X Whole Car Blast
Turtle Wax claims it works by removing the odours down to a molecular level and that these smells will be completely eradicated for 30 days.
Not a permanent solution, then, but it is easy to use. Simply let the canister off and leave it to do its thing; you do nothing at all.
Speaking of doing nothing, it’s time for our lunch break. See ya!