How to Make Your Car Smell Good

There is nothing quite like a new car smell…but it doesn’t last.  Life happens! Very soon, the lingering smell of fast food or a stale, musty odour can turn even the shortest drive into an ordeal. 

In this guide, we'll share essential steps on how to make your car smell good, from selecting the right air freshener to using essential oils. We'll also tackle how to deal with unpleasant odours, including effective clean-up of food spills and the use of cleaning products that really work. 

So, buckle up and get ready to embark on a journey that will leave your car smelling as good as it looks!

How to Make Your Car Smell Good: Essential Steps

The journey to a fragrant vehicle begins with understanding the essential steps to make your car smell good. From selecting the right air freshener to cleaning your car with the right products. 

These steps are not just about masking unpleasant odours but creating a pleasant environment that makes every drive enjoyable. 

1. Choosing the Right Air Freshener for Your Car

Consider the number of options available; there are hundreds of air fresheners in various forms – sprays, plug-ins, hanging devices, and vent clips. Always opt for a fragrance that pleases you, but don't overuse it. An overpowering scent might spoil the whole experience.

Check the ingredients. Avoid air fresheners containing harsh chemicals as they might contribute negatively to your car's air quality.

Location is key. Based on the type, place your air freshener in an area with good airflow – vent clips and dashboard air fresheners should be attached to or placed over vents, hanging ones on the rearview mirror or under the dash.

Sassy Scents has a range of popular car fresheners to choose from. Snow Pixie is a vibrant, fruity small with notes of bubblegum, candy floss and marshmallow. Untamed is far bolder, with crisp bergamot and heady lavender notes. And if you are trying to get rid of unpleasant smells, try Oudh-er Remover. It doesn’t just smell great; it get rids of bad smells too!  

2. Cleaning Your Car

Maintaining a spotless interior of your car is paramount to keep it smelling great. As part of this process, using soapy water in the cleaning cycle is worthwhile. Gather a scrub brush, a bucket of warm water, and your preferred dish soap.

Start by identifying your car's dirtiest points: the mats, as they are often the global culprits for odours. Give them a comprehensive scrub, covering every nook and cranny using the soapy water with the scrub brush. Post the scrubbing, thoroughly rinse the mats with clean water preferably from a hose or pressure washer to ensure all soapy residues are washed off.

Once cleaned, allow the mats to dry completely. This step is crucial as damp mats might harbour bacteria, further contributing to unpleasant smells. You might want to use a clothesline or a railing for them to drip and dry naturally.

If that doesn’t work, it’s time to get serious with an odour-removing powder. Sprinkle on your car seats, let it sit for 15-30 minutes, and then vacuum. For more serious bad smells, leave it in the car overnight. Available in Girl Boss, Snow Pixie,  Oudh-er Remover, and Sweet Blooms. 

 3. Using Scents

While car air fresheners provide a short-term fix, using essential oils can be a more long-lasting solution to keeping your car smelling fresh. Apply a few drops of your favourite essential oil, like lavender, lemon or jasmine, to a cotton ball or pad and place it under your car seat or in a cup holder. The sustained release of the aromatic compounds can provide a continuous, natural scent.

Another great method is to use a car essential oil diffuser. It's a device specifically for cars that can diffuse the essential oil scent all over the vehicle. Using your favourite oil, this should keep your car smelling wonderful for entire road trips.

A few drops should suffice to prevent the scent from being too overpowering. Experiment with different oils to discover the combinations that work best for you, thus creating a pleasant and personalised olfactory experience in your car.

You can also try using room sprays. Remember - your car is a smaller and more contained space than a room in your home, so use it sparingly. Try Brazilian Sunshine for a pick-me-up in the mornings, or a relaxing spritz of Coconut and Lavender for a calming effect. 

Keeping Your Car Odour-Free 

Unpleasant odours in your car can be a real nuisance, making every journey less enjoyable. Whether it's the lingering smell of last week's takeaway or a musty, stale scent, these odours can turn your car into an unwelcoming environment. Here’s how to avoid unpleasant smells: 

How to Clean Up Food Spills Effectively

Universally, an unpleasant odour is a driver's nightmare. In the quiver of combat, the first arrow should be aimed at food spills - often the primary perpetrators providing refuge to these unwanted odours. A boil-over coffee cup or a toppled bag of chips can quickly intricately seep into your car’s fabric, leaving their stains and unfavourable smells to linger in the closed space.

Act quickly - remove as much as possible during the driving pause when a spill occurs. Always keep a few old towels or substantial paper towels close to enable you to combat these surprise spills instantly.

Address the nastier remnants of the spill as soon as you stop. Time to pick your weapon - it could be a commonly used cleaner like soapy water, or even vinegar. These, coupled with your effort, generally combat the hard stains effectively, and keep odours at bay.

Using Vinegar and Water to Remove Odours

To ensure the swift removal of unpleasant odours from your car, vinegar and water present an effective solution. Follow this simple list:

• Prepare the solution: Mix equal proportions of white vinegar and water in a clean spray bottle.
• Start cleaning: Begin with the driver's seat, spritz the entire seat with the concoction and then wipe it using a lint-free or microfiber cloth.
• Complete the rest of the car: Continue in the same vein for the passenger seat, back seats, dash, and any other remaining surfaces.
• Be patient: While it may take some time for the vinegar smell to disperse, it is remarkably effective at eliminating most unpleasant odours, including stubborn ones like cigarette smoke.

Ensure that the entire car including the air vents is cleaned this way to freshen up the upholstery. This natural method should be on your list if you are considering cleaning your air and removing the odour from your car.

Vacuuming the Interior to Remove Dust and Dirt

One of the primary culprits for unpleasant odours in cars is the accumulation of dust and dirt, particularly in the air vents. When air blows through these vents, it tends to distribute disagreeable smells throughout the interior. Therefore, it is recommended by auto detailing experts to give attention to these areas during your car cleaning routine.

Use a small brush or a crevice tool attachment on a vacuum cleaner to clean your air vents thoroughly. This ensures that all the dirt lodged in those tricky corners and hidden crevices get completely sucked away, leaving your air vents dust-free.

Another important area to focus on when vacuuming the interior of your car is the floor mats. Dirt and food spills can seep into the mats, causing unwanted odours. Remove the mats, shake off any loose dirt and vacuum them to ensure they're as clean as possible.

By effectively vacuuming these areas, you not only freshen up the upholstery but also help maintain a cleaner and fresher environment inside your vehicle. This plays a vital role in keeping your car smelling fresh at all times. So, next time you notice an unpleasant smell, don't forget to vacuum your whole car!

Using Coffee Grounds as a Natural Odour Absorber

Coffee grounds, often a waste product in many homes, have proven to be incredibly useful in keeping your car smelling fresh. The remarkable quality of the coffee ground in absorbing and neutralising unpleasant odours is simply outstanding, not to mention it leaves your vehicle with a pleasant coffee aroma.

This procedure is straightforward; all it requires is placing a bowl of coffee grounds in your car and leaving it overnight. The smell of the coffee grounds does an excellent job of overpowering any unpleasant scents, leaving behind just the rich, familiar smell of coffee.

It's perfect for a big coffee lover or anyone who loves the smell of a coffee shop. Not only is this hack budget-friendly, but it's also eco-friendly as you are reusing something that would otherwise be discarded.

While coffee grounds may not be a complete substitute to professionally auto detailing or using an air freshener, it's an exceptionally great hack for quick freshness and an innovative way of getting more out of your coffee. It's definitely worth trying out.

Final Thoughts on Keeping Your Car Smelling Fresh

Maintaining a fresh-smelling car is not just about aesthetics, but it also significantly enhances your driving experience. From using the right air freshener to regular auto detailing, there are numerous ways to keep your car smelling good.

Remember, it's not just about masking unpleasant odours, but also about eliminating them at the source. Regular cleaning, using natural odour absorbers like coffee grounds and avoiding common mistakes like overpowering scents can all contribute to a clean and fresh-smelling car.

So, whether you're dealing with a stubborn food spill or just want to freshen up the upholstery, remember these tips and enjoy a pleasant drive every time.

Need some help? Visit wearesassyscents.com to find your favourite fragrance today!