It's hard not to notice the smell of your car, especially if it's a bit musty. However, there are ways to keep your vehicle smelling fresh and new. We'll show you how to vacuum your carpet, clean out the garbage can, and even bake some air fresheners so that your car is always ready for a road trip!
Have a dedicated car trashcan and use it.
If you're like me, the car is where you throw your garbage. I'm sure you've seen a small trashcan in a restaurant or at school and thought, "I'll never use that." I mean, why would I? My car already has a storage compartment for everything I could possibly need while on the road. Well...it's not true. Your car doesn't have enough storage to hold all of your life's loose ends. And those loose ends will start smelling if they sit too long in an enclosed space without circulating fresh air around them. You really don't want that lingering scent of old french fries, do you?
So for the sake of your fellow passengers (and yourself), put down that bag of Cheetos and pick up a dedicated car trashcan instead! Keep this little guy near your seat and toss any wrappers or tissues into it after each use—it'll keep things tidy until you can dispose of them properly before or after work. The same goes for any other food-related items like snack containers from drive-thrus; just toss 'em in there so they don't end up stuck between two seats later on! A quick reminder: Don't forget to empty this little guy out when he gets full; otherwise he'll start stinking up everything else inside his cramped quarters pretty quickly!
Vacuum regularly and use baking soda.
If you're looking for a way to keep your car smelling fresh and new, try vacuuming regularly. A clean car not only looks better, but it helps reduce odors as well. Use baking soda to absorb odors if they're particularly strong or lasting. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that's safe for pets, people, and the environment when used properly (more on that later). You can find it at any grocery store or online at Amazon or Target.
Bake your own air fresheners.
You can make your own air fresheners using baking soda. Baking soda is a natural odor absorber, which means that it can help to absorb the smell of cigarette smoke or old food in the car. Mix together 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 teaspoon of water and distribute the mixture into small bowls or muffin tins. Place them in the car, then leave them for a few hours before retrieving them and tossing them out (or keeping them as souvenirs).
Baking soda is also great for deodorizing an entire room, including your car! Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to a bucket full of hot water, then use this solution to wipe down all surfaces inside your vehicle (stainless steel trim, vinyl seats) until they're dry again. That's it—no scrubbing necessary!
Freshen up your upholstery.
- Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet.
- Let is sit for a few minutes and vacuum up the baking soda.
- If necessary, repeat this process until you have removed all or most of the odor.
To get rid of odors at their source, you’ll need to clean out your car. Start by cleaning out any trash that may be in the trunk or back seat of your car. Next, vacuum upholstery and carpeting thoroughly with a high-efficiency vacuum cleaner (like this one) to remove food wrappers and other debris that might be hiding in the crevices of your seats. Finally, scrub down anything leather-upholstered in your vehicle with saddle soap—you can find it at most hardware stores or automotive supply stores like AutoZone or O'Reilly Auto Parts—to eliminate grease stains from spills on seats and steering wheels while also disinfecting them against bacteria growth.
Deodorize your floor mats.
The floor mats are another area that can be difficult to keep clean, especially if you have pets or kids. It's best to regularly vacuum the mats and also use baking soda or a carpet freshener to absorb odors. Another option is to use a car air freshener, which usually has a pleasant scent that will mask any lingering smells in your car. You may also want to consider using a charcoal air filter for additional odor protection, although this might not be an ideal solution if you're trying not to attract more dust particles into your vehicle! Finally, some fabrics tend to retain odors more than others; in these cases it's best practice (and courtesy) not just for yourself but also others who share your ride with their vehicles as well as yourself!
Make your vents smell like the ocean with DIY vent deodorizers.
If you're more of an aromatherapist than a DIY-er, this is the solution for you. Just add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to a cotton ball, then place it in the vent. The vent will then smell like the ocean for several days (or more if you're going to be out).
You can make your car smell amazing and keep it that way through some easy techniques.
There are plenty of simple ways to keep your car smelling fresh and clean. If you want to go the extra mile, there are also some great ways to make your car smell amazing.
- Cleaning your car regularly is one of the most important things you can do for its scent—and for its overall health. You should clean out all the dust and debris from your seats, carpets and vents on a regular basis.
- Baking soda can absorb odors in many places around your house—and it'll work just as well in your car! Just sprinkle baking soda over leather or fabric seats, carpeting or floor mats when they're dry. Let it sit overnight (or even longer) before vacuuming it away the next morning.
- To get rid of any lingering smells after cleaning up with baking soda or other methods mentioned above, use an air freshener that has pleasant scents like lavender or vanilla in it (not too strong). You may also want to try using an air purifier that actively removes odors from the inside of your vehicle without adding any artificial fragrances into the mix—but if you're going this route please keep in mind that this product will only take care not eliminate existing scents entirely; they'll simply mask them instead!
Now that you know these easy tricks, you can make your car smell like a dream any time. Of course, it’s also important to remember that there are some odors that can be tough to deal with—like cigarette smoke or food smells from takeout meals. If your car has been used for those purposes, it may require more extensive cleaning (and possibly even professional help). But if all else fails, just remember: there is no substitute for keeping things clean from the start.
