Simple ways to get rid of car odour

Lead in: Wouldn't it be nice to get whiffs of lavender or rose as you enter your car? Car odour is an oft-faced issue among car owners. But with a few simple steps, you can transform your musty-smelling car into a blend of delightful fragrances. Here, we provide a few easy tips to keep your four-wheeler odour-free.

Entering a fresh-smelling automobile is a welcome change for all car owners. The stuffy smell of a closed vehicle combined with other odour-exuding elements can put off the best of drivers and lead to embarrassing situations at times. Odours are a result of the confined space of your vehicle, which emanates musty smells if kept closed for long hours.

Some practical steps can not only help you combat car odour, but also ensure that your automobile emits pleasing fragrances throughout your drive. Here's an easy three-step procedure to make your four-wheeler odour-free.

1. Clean the interiors regularly
First and foremost, spot all the sources of the odour. Car floor mats, air conditioner vents, seats and seat covers, cloth headliners, upholstery, trunk carpets and insulation padding are all sources of car odour. This is true especially in case of a second hand or used car. Target these areas for vigorous cleaning in addition to airing out the vehicle. The heating or cooling vents of the air conditioner generally emit strong odour if not cleaned properly. Hence, clean the clogged air conditioner evaporators thoroughly.

In addition to vacuuming, wash and shampoo carpets, mats and seat covers. Drying the cleaned surfaces is crucial as wet areas are prone to odour. After drying, use air sanitisers, neutralisers or car deodorising products available in the market for a fresh fragrance in your automobile. Regularly cleaning to maintain your vehicle's hygiene can hence help you get rid of displeasing smells.

2. Neutralise the smell
It is also important to neutralise the smells within your automobile so that they do not turn into unpleasant odours. On warm and dry summer days, leave the cleaned car's windows and doors open. This regularises the air flow inside the car. Neutralisers available in the market today stop the chemical reactions of odour-producing agents. Absorbents can also be placed in odour-emitting spots to trap foul smells in their crystalline or chemical structure. Charcoal and vinegar are good examples of absorbents which can do the trick.

Additionally, you need to be extra careful if driving with children or pets. If you drive a second hand or pre-owned car, try using disinfectants and mild sprays. Bio-enzymes are also a good option as they tackle foul smell of food spillage well.

3. Go for a soothing fragrance
The last step is using a good spray in the car. There are a plethora of pleasant fragrances and car perfumes like lavender, jasmine, rose, sandalwood, musk, etc., which you can consider. Some car owners also purchase coffee or vanilla-flavoured perfumes for their vehicles. These fragrances leave an aromatic fragrance, which makes your ride an enjoyable one. Car perfumes are a must if you have a pre-owned or second hand car. A range of odour-repellant products like odour masks, encapsulants, oxidisers, etc. help you further reduce odour emission in your automobile.

If the car odour problem still persists, you can hire specialists who can assist you through their advanced odour treatment methods and smell removal systems. Following these practical and cost-effective steps, you can drive home an odour-free and pleasant-smelling vehicle.