Americans will spend an average of 70 billion hours behind the wheel of a car over a year. When traveling on the road for errands, work, or road trips, it’s no magic carpet ride when a car gets stinky. Odors tend to build up over time from pets, smoking, spills, and lack of maintenance. Stop rolling down the windows or hanging extra air fresheners on the rear-view mirror. Use these hacks to get your car smelling more like it rolled off of the lot, and less like a pigsty on wheels.
Suck It Up
Invest in a handheld vacuum or pull out the extension cord for a model with an attachment. Believe it or not, smells may be triggered from mold, dirt, and grime hiding in the tightest of crevices. Even better, help eliminate odors by sprinkling baking soda on carpeted areas before going over the surface with a vacuum. If you or a passenger smokes, you’ll have to open up the hood, send deodorizer through your intake valve, and give your car time to air out.
Go For Cover
When battling bad smells in a car, you have two choices. Choose to cover it up with air fresheners until you deal with the problem, or use air fresheners after giving your vehicle a thorough cleaning. When possible, use natural air fresheners to prevent a buildup of toxins in your ride. Consider placing coffee grounds, cotton balls soaked in essential oils, or some unlit incense sticks to eradicate foul odors.
Not Just For Grills
If you love tailgate parties or finding spots to grill, you may already have an odor-fighting resource nearby. Leave an open bag of charcoal briquettes in your car overnight or longer to remove toxins and noxious smells. Even better, after the charcoal removes terrible odors, you can still use it for those steaks or kabobs later.
Be Thorough
Cleaning up a stinky ride isn’t about taking care of surface issues. You may need to do more in-depth cleaning than relying on chemical cleaners, vacuuming regularly, and wiping down seats. Remove any visible trash, and check your glove compartment, seat pockets, cup holders, trunk, and the gaps between seats to eliminate odors. You never know what may be hiding out and making your vehicle reek terribly.
Call Help
When using natural cleaners like dish soap, vinegar, or baking soda won’t remove stubborn odors, it’s time to call the professionals. Your wallet may feel the pinch, but it’s worth the price to have a clean-smelling car. If you smell gas, someone lost their lunch, or you hit a skunk, professionals may be your only hope of getting your back.