We all love that new smell when opening the doors of a newly purchased car. But over time, this smell fades away, and a foul stale odor takes its place no matter how clean the car is. Carpets, upholstery, mats, and semi-soft surfaces serve as the source of a foul smell.Â
The stale odor usually comes from things like mildew and mold. However, sometimes the smell also comes from organic materials like food residue, coffee spills, eggshells, pet hair, cigarettes, marijuana, etc. A strange smell can make the whole environment unpleasant. So getting rid of this smell is very necessary for hygiene, cleanliness, and soothing drive.
VacuumÂ
The first step for getting rid of the smell is vacuuming the car. The fabric in your car usually traps the odors. So start with vacuuming the interior, even the door panel. Attach upholstery to your vacuum for detailed cleaning of all the cracks to remove the odor-causing debris. Because if you don’t eliminate all sources of odor, it can reappear quickly.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a great inexpensive ingredient that also serves as a deodorant. Along with odors, it also removes stubborn stains from the surface. Spray it everywhere, from door to mats. Let the baking soda sit for at least 15 minutes. Still, if the smell is very persistent, sprinkle baking soda on the affected area and leave it overnight.
Steam Cleaner
Steam cleaning is the best and most efficient solution for cleaning all vehicle interiors and freshening the air. Commercial steam cleaners thoroughly clean and sanitize every inch of your car’s cabin. This process removes dirt and unwanted microscopic particles like pollen, mold, bacteria, and viruses. In addition, these come with a complete tool kit helping detailers to enter hard-to-reach areas where bad odors can hide.
Mild Detergent
Another way is to use a mild commercial detergent made from natural substances together with steam. Commercial car cleaners contain molecules that remove odors making the interior smell fresher. Always prefer the gentlest spray cleaner to do the job, as they are an environmentally friendly deodorizing method. When removing cigarette and marijuana odors from a car, clean the headliner carefully as it absorbs the odors from these materials.
Distilled White Vinegar
Distilled white vinegar is one of the most straightforward and inexpensive solutions to remove odor from your car. Mix white vinegar and water in a 1:2 ratio. Spray the solution on the smelly area and repeat the process until the smell is gone. It is a natural, antibacterial, and antifungal mixture that makes it particularly effective against food odors or mold. Also, you can use it on cloth and leather car seats. It also works great on cars that smell like smoke.
