Sometimes cars stink. Unfortunately, that is just a fact of car ownership. Persistent smells are annoying, but they can be taken care of. Some habits, such as smoking in the car, lead to bad smells over time. Other times, a smell may seemingly come out of nowhere. No matter the cause of the smell, there are ways to get rid of those stinky scents.
Industrial-Strength Odor Remover
When you are trying to get rid of a smell, do not just use an air freshener. Many times these products simply add to the smell that is already there. Instead, opt for an odor remover. Odor removers actually trap the molecules that make the car smell bad, and they get rid of them. You can get industrial-strength odor removers from auto supply stores, department stores, or online. This is a great way of neutralizing the smell in your car instead of just masking it. In some cases, you may have to use the odor remover several times to remove the stink fully.
Vacuum and Shampoo
Sometimes bad smells are due to food particles or other spills on the carpets in your car. If this is the case, make sure you vacuum and shampoo all the vehicle’s carpet areas. Getting a good clean helps eliminate anything leaving behind a smell. While you can vacuum and shampoo the car yourself, it may be best to have a professional auto detailing shop complete it. This ensures you are using heavy-duty products that will not hurt your vehicle’s interior.
Household Products
There are several household products you can use to help eliminate odors as well. One suggestion is to soak a few towels in vinegar, set them in bowls, and then put those bowls around the car. Vinegar is a well-known odor remover and it absorbs bad smells.
Another option is to leave an open container of baking soda in the car when you are not driving. Make sure either to close the container or remove it when you go for a drive, or else you will have another mess to worry about later. The best thing about using household products is that they are easy to find, simple to use, and do not cost much.
Clean the Vents
If you think the smells in your car are coming from something other than food, drinks, smoking, and other more common issues, consider cleaning your vents. A car’s air intake valve can become gross, especially if you drive in high-smog areas. Using a deodorizer, spray the intake valves while you have the car running. It may be necessary to repeat this a few times. In addition, if your car has a cabin air filter, consider replacing this, since it gets dirty over time.
Spills and accidents happen, and sometimes that leads to bad smells in your car. Make sure you clean up your car regularly to help avoid smells in the first place. If you have smells you can’t get out yourself, you may need to get a professional involved.
Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.