Wet dogs, a forgotten hot dog left under the seat, stinky soccer players, last week’s takeout…these are just a few of the things that can add a pretty “ripe” smell to your vehicle. Sometimes, those odors can linger a lot longer than you’d like. Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield, PA has these easy hacks for eradicating almost any stench.
Most odors tend to trap themselves in carpeting, mats, and upholstery. Remove floor liners, then give your car a thorough vacuuming. Make sure you get into the crevices and under the seats to pick up the little debris that can leave a big stink. At the same time, vacuum your child’s car seat and hit up the door panels. It’s a good idea to sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda on fabric surfaces, let it sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum again. You can also place a few pieces of charcoal in a small dish and leave it in your car overnight.
Sometimes smells emanate from your air vents, in which case it’s a good idea to replace the air filters.
Vinegar is a natural cleanser that neutralizes odors when you mix it with water; a 50/50 solution is perfect for cleaning hard surfaces, and cuts through dirt. Wipe down the dash, floor mats, and console. Because the vinegar smell will linger, keep the windows open to air the car out.
Essential oils are another natural way to keep things smelling fresh and are typically less overwhelming than commercial air fresheners. Put a few drops on some cotton balls, then tuck them around your car. A moisture absorber is another good idea to prevent mildew smells.
Of course, if you’re dealing with a truly persistent stink, there are extra-strength odor eliminators to try. They’re available as sprays or gels that go directly on fabric surfaces. Additionally, there are “odor bombs” that you place in your car overnight.
Keeping smells down in your car is simple. Avoid smoking, clean up spills immediately, and keep the windows down whenever you can to air it out.
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