If your car smells, it’s time to address the issue without hesitation. The first impression after stepping into the vehicle is its aroma. If the fragrance is bad, no one will stick with you. (Not even your partner.) There are endless reasons why your car smells bad. But there are more remedies to tackle a smelly car. Try the best car smell-good hacks and say goodbye to foul smells.
Whether you’re heading for a fun trip with your family or friends, you want your car to smell pleasant. A nasty smell can ruin the experience, even if it’s for a short time. The smell can be due to any reason. But it stays for a long time.
Maintaining a sweet aroma in the car is important. It eventually decides how well you maintain your car. The impression that it gives is valuable and affects your personality.
In today’s guide, we explore the best ways to make your car smell fresh. Achieve a sweet-smelling interior and eliminate the foul smell with the best car smell hacks.
These hacks are simple and economical for maintaining the car’s aroma. Let’s check the major causes of car odor, followed by the best car smell hacks.
Common Causes of Car Odor
Car odor is a very common problem. If you have kids, it can become even worse. Food spillage, leftovers, and mildew can turn the car seats into a foul space. Sometimes the ventilation system also contributes to bad odor.
Thankfully, the best car smell hacks are here to save you. Before finding solutions to make your car smell good, let’s understand the causes behind it. If you fix these causes in the first place, there’s less chance of bad odor.
Smoking in a car
If you smoke or vape inside your car, it can leave a foul smell. Cigarettes leave behind particles, which get stuck in the air conditioning system. The stale smell can degrade the quality of your car interior.
Food leftovers and spills
If you eat inside your car regularly, the foul smell is unavoidable. It’ll stay inside your car due to the leftover food crumbs. With leftover food comes drinks, which can lead to spillage. The more leftovers in the car, the more difficult it becomes to eradicate the car smell.
Moisture smell
During the humid and rainy season, it becomes difficult to avoid foul car smells. The moisture covers the car seat and leads to the build-up of mildew and mold. It ruins the experience of sitting in a car.
Pet Hair
If you have a pet, it is necessary to keep them clean and get them groomed. One of the major reasons for foul car smell is pet fur and hair. It traps inside your car and leaves a bad smell.
Suggestion: Wash Your Car At Home With Pro-Level Results.
10 Car Smell Good Hacks to Keep Your Ride Fresh Every Day
Want to make your car smell amazing without spending much? Well, we have solutions. The best DIY car smell hacks will turn your vehicle into a cozy space. From effective DIYs to air fresheners and essential oil mists, these hacks work magically.
Follow any one of them at least once a week, and you will see the difference. The fragrance attracts people and lasts for a good time.
1. Air Fresheners
The best way to make your car smell good is to use air fresheners. They are available in various options and fragrances. Choose from a wide range of fragrances like lavender, citrus, vanilla, musk, peppermint, and more. Keep the best air freshener for the car handy.
Try sprays, hang-ins, or vent clips. Avoid air fresheners that contain toxic chemicals.
2. Baking Soda DIY
DIYs are never out of fashion. DIY baking soda is ideal to remove the car’s smell. Baking soda naturally absorbs foul smells and eliminates them permanently.
Simply sprinkle baking soda on the car seats and mats. A little goes a long way to hamper a stubborn smell. Pour it over the seat and mat and leave it for 4 hours. After that, you can clean the seats using a vacuum or a clean cloth.
3. Essential Oils
The natural car smell hacks include using essential oils in any form. You can try an essential oil diffuser to freshen your car. Alternatively, use essential oil DIY hacks to get rid of car smell from the air conditioner.
For this DIY, use any essential oil. Choose from peppermint, lemon, rose, or lavender essential oil. Dip a cotton ball in the essential oil and keep it in your car. It naturally freshens up the car’s interior. However, be careful because some essential oils are toxic to pets.
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4. Neem Leaves
Home remedies are incomplete without neem leaves. You can use neem leaves to naturally deodorize a car. Are you wondering how?
Use dried neem leaves and keep the packet in your car. Neem leaves absorb foul smells and keep the car smelling pleasant. You can also use neem essential oil.
5. Activated Charcoal
Use activated charcoal bags as car odor absorber hacks for foul smells. Place these bags under the car seats. It pulls the moisture, reduces odor, and keeps the car clean.
6. Vinegar water
If you have a habit of eating in your car, the leftovers can stick to the seat. The sweet smell doesn’t go away naturally. Try the DIY vinegar water remedy for car smell.
For this remedy, mix equal portions of vinegar and water. Transfer it to a spray bottle. Spray it on the seat and fabrics. Clean it with a cotton cloth.
7. Deep cleaning
Deep cleaning practices are a must to get rid of smell. Use a vacuum cleaner and sweep the mats, seats, and carpets once a week. Wipe the glass surfaces.
Avoid keeping the pills and leftovers for a long time. Clean it immediately so that the smell doesn’t linger. Deep clean your car once a week if you travel regularly in it.
8. Clean the AC system
The AC system in your car attracts mildew and bacteria. This can lead to a foul smell and might also infect the car. The top hack to get rid of car smell from the air conditioner is to simply clean the AC.
Turn off the engine and use a disinfectant spray to clean the car AC. You can also use vinegar water for this purpose and get rid of the mold or bacteria. Once the bacteria is out of the way, foul smell doesn’t stay for long.
9. Clean cabin filter
The cabin air filter is also a breeding ground for bacteria. Replace the cabin filter to prevent toxic air particles from entering. If you want to clean the filter, use a disinfectant spray.
It cleanses the dust and grime from the filter and keeps it clean. After cleaning, spray air freshener in the car. It will instantly bring a hue of aroma.
10. Citrus mist
If you are looking for the top hacks to make a car smell good, then this is it. The citrus mist using lemon naturally eliminates odor.
For this DIY citrus mist, take lemon juice and water. Add water in a spray bottle and pour in 2-3 tsp of lemon juice. Spray this mixture inside your car to make it smell pleasing.
Alternatively, you can also keep lemon peels or orange peels in your car overnight. This requires no extra effort and offers a mild citrus fragrance to the car.
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Takeaway
These top car smell hacks are worth trying to bid farewell to odor. Essential oils, air fresheners, and DIY citrus mist are ideal to refresh the car interior. Indulge in car deep cleaning services once a week or in 15 days to get rid of car odour permanently.
FAQ’s
What is the best hack for car air fresheners?
The best hack for car air fresheners is to use the essential oil method. It is even better than the regular fresheners. Dip a cotton ball in any essential oil and keep it in your car seat. Do it weekly, and your car will never smell bad.
How to have your car smell like your favorite fragrance?
This DIY will blow your mind. In a cotton napkin, add your preferred fragrance oil. Pour 10 drops of fragrance oil on the napkin and keep it in the car. Forget about it. And then the next time you enter the car, it will smell like your favorite fragrance.
How to make your car smell good for a long time?
To make your car smell fresh for a long time, try the car smell good hacks mentioned above. Additionally, keep your car clean. Practice deep cleaning once a week, avoid spills and leftovers, and try natural remedies.
