We generally spend a large portion of our time in cars daily. Whether it be for work or leisure, thousands of people find their cars to be like second homes. However, bad odor in cars can hamper the traveling experience and can also negatively impact the rest of the day.
To combat this problem and make things pleasant, there are some easy and practical tips for eliminating that bad smell from cars.
Tips for Removing Bad Smell From Car
01. Use air fresheners
Perhaps one of the easiest ways to combat bad odor in cars is the use of air fresheners.
In some ways, it also acts as a prevention against bad smells that can possibly become a part of your car’s interior.
A wide variety of air fresheners are available in stores. A pleasant aroma like Lavender or even Coffee can get you in the right mood and eliminate any mild bad odor that you may bring in from the outside.
That being said, air fresheners are not effective in all scenarios. If the car has a strong odor then the air freshener may not be able to overpower it.
It may even blend with the odor to create a new smell making things worse as a result.
The best time to install an air freshener is after a thorough cleaning of the interior so that the air freshener can complement the new car smell that you get after the wash.
02. Discard unnecessary items from the car
Another common culprit of lingering smell in cars is the presence of unnecessary items. It could be the coffee cup that you forgot to throw out or a perishable grocery item that slipped under the seat.
The trunk of the car can also cause such issues especially if it is not well organized.
If multiple items are stuffed into the trunk, something like a spill from an oil canister can cause a strong odor and it would be hard to locate the source until unnecessary items are removed.
If you notice that odd smell is radiating from the car, it may signal the need for an inspection.
Depending on how long the source of the smell has been in the car, you can either reduce the intensity or eliminate the smell completely by taking it out.
However, if it has been ages, this process would go well with additional measures such as cleaning the car itself.
03. Vacuum the car
At times, the bad odor can develop due to the fine particles that may deposit gradually in our cars. This could be in the form of food crumbs or residual mud/dirt brought along with our shoes.
To take care of such a predicament, a vacuum cleaner can prove to be handy.
Mats, seats and hard to reach corners can be targeted as the vacuum cleaner removes traces of leftover impurities efficiently.
In the cleaning process, vacuuming is an integral part and can help in eliminating the pungent smell.
Different variants of vacuum cleaners are available in the market. There are the higher wattage cleaners that can remove the more stubborn particles and then there are the smaller portable ones that are suitable for use on delicate components like buttons on the music system.
There are also vacuum cleaners that can handle liquids as well so, overall, vacuum cleaners can be versatile when it comes to cleaning and getting rid of the smell.
04. Maintain windows, doors and other openings
The source of the odor is not always inside our cars. External smells can make their way into our cars and cause irritability.
This is especially true for those that travel to places such as construction sites, poultry farms, etc. where the surroundings are filled with all kinds of unpleasant odors.
That is why it is important that our windows and doors are functioning properly as one of their jobs is to isolate the car from external surroundings.
This aspect of removing the smell is often ignored. Doors and windows can become tainted by external sources of smell.
By cleaning them we can take care of the bad odor. Another important aspect of keeping the smell at bay is to ensure that the rubber lining of doors and windows is in good condition.
This too prevents the odors of the outside world from entering within the car.
05. Using home remedies
We are blessed with a wide array of options when it comes to home remedies that fix bad odor in cars.
The great thing about them is that they are easy to follow and normally involve items that you may find around the house.
One such option is the use of baking soda. Simply sprinkle some baking soda inside the car and leave it for 5-6 hours.
It will absorb the smell and you can later vacuum the baking soda residue. Similarly, activated charcoal also possesses smell absorbing qualities.
Leave a piece of activated charcoal in the car for a day or so and it will get the job done.
The added benefit of activated charcoal is reusability. Leave it out it in the sun for a few hours and it can be reused for the same purpose.
Home remedies are highly effective and if you are looking for an extra punch, there are products such as charcoal based air purifiers that can add value to their application.
Before going for more expensive options, they should be the go-to option for anyone trying to fight bad odor in their cars.
06. Getting Professional help
If everything fails, the last resort is to approach a professional car cleaning service.
The professionals are normally equipped with tools and techniques that an individual may not have access to.
They are able to cover all the dimensions of the car and ensure that they leave the car in pristine condition once they have applied all the relevant processes.
Conclusion
While it is the most hassle-free option, the downside is that it also happens to be the most expensive one.
That is why it is normally used in extreme cases like a skunk attack where a normal person would simply be helpless.
However, there are other positive aspects as well. Some cleaning services also include mechanical fixes in their offer.
At times, an oil leak or a gas leak in the air conditioning system is the cause of the odor.
This kills two birds with one stone as not only the odor is taken care of but the impending mechanical problem is addressed as well.
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