You’ve got a new car – lucky you! It’s the car you’ve been dreaming of, saving for and finally, it’s yours, but when you drive it off the forecourt, you notice it has a bit of a nasty niff about it. That’s the new car scent. It’s one of the most debated topics around buying a new car. Some people love it and some people hate it. Which camp are you in? If you are one of the people who really can’t stand the smell of a new car, then you’ll want to read this post. It’s titled, how to get rid of new car smell.
How to Get Rid of New Car Smell
This is a collaborative post
The smell of a new car is an exciting proposition for some people. That fresh, clean, and slightly sweet aroma can make you feel like you’re driving in luxury. However, the “new car smell” is not always as pleasant as it seems. It often contains a cocktail of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can lead to health problems and unpleasant odours over time. Fortunately, there are several effective methods to get rid of the new car smell while keeping your car interior fresh and inviting. I’ll help you with some tips, techniques and products to help you eliminate unwanted odours from your car.
Understanding the New Car Smell
Have you ever wondered what causes the new-car smell in the first place? Before we can go into how we can remove the new car smell, it would be a good idea to look into what causes it in the first place.
When you step into a brand-new vehicle, that unique scent is a result of various factors. New cars release a mix of chemical compounds from the materials used in the interior, such as adhesives, plastics, and fabrics. These compounds, including VOCs, create the characteristic new car smell. The smell can get stronger on hot, sunny days as heat accelerates the release of chemicals from interior surfaces.
Car manufacturers often use different materials and production methods, resulting in variations in the new car smell.
Common Problems with the New Car Smell
While many people find the new car smell appealing, for some it’s just an assault on the nose and in the worst cases, it can cause problems. Prolonged exposure to VOCs can lead to health issues like headaches, dizziness, and respiratory irritation. These compounds are considered harmful, and reducing their presence in your car should be a priority.
You should also be aware that over time, the new car smell can transform into bad smells, like musty smells or mouldy smells. This transformation occurs as the chemicals break down and interact with other substances.
Now that we’ve established the basics, let’s explore the best ways to get rid of the new car smell and maintain a fresh and pleasant car interior.
Let Fresh Air In
One of the simplest and most effective ways to remove the new car smell is by opening your car windows and allowing fresh air to circulate. On a warm, sunny day, the heat and airflow will help disperse the odorous compounds faster, so park your car in the hot sun and roll down all your car windows. If you are going out for a drive, use the windows rather than the aircon and it will help with the air circulation and remove lingering odours. If you do this regularly, you’ll find that the new car smell is slowly disappearing and being replaced with something more pleasant.
Add A Fragrance
A good quality car fragrance can be an easy way to replace the new car smell with a more appealing scent. A Carfume Car Air Freshener can be tailored to your preferred scent and is a great way to make your car smell the way you like it. The Carfume Car Air Fresheners are really high quality and they will last for a really long time. You can choose scents like Lady Millionaire and Savage for Men. There are so many different scents to pick from – you will be spoilt for choice. The air fresheners themselves are really nice looking and they can be refilled again and again. This makes them a much better option than one that is thrown away after each, short use. Head over and take a look at the options available – I bet you can find a scent that you’ll love to have in your car. A good scent is a great way to add some extra oomph to your car – and your day!
Air Purifiers and HEPA Filters
Investing in an air purifier or HEPA filter for your car is a good idea if you want to improve indoor air quality and reduce odours. These devices are particularly helpful if you’re sensitive to VOCs or have health concerns. You can buy a compact air purifier designed for cars, as they are specifically designed to fit in your car’s interior, for the best results make sure to replace the filters regularly.
Bicarbonate of Soda and Activated Charcoal
Absorbent materials like bicarbonate of soda and activated charcoal can help neutralise unpleasant smells. You can sprinkle a generous amount of bicarbonate of soda on your car seats and floor mats. Leave it for a few hours or overnight to absorb the smell. Then simply hoover it up.
Place activated charcoal bags or sachets in your car. These bags are excellent at absorbing odours and can be recharged by leaving them in direct sunlight for a few hours.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Regular cleaning and maintenance are essential for keeping your car interior fresh and odour-free. Here are my cleaning tips for keeping the interior of your car in tip-top condition.
Use surface wipes designed for car interiors to clean hard surfaces like the car’s dashboard, door handles and door panels. You can buy specific wipes designed for your car. They make this job quick and simple.
Wipe down leather seats with a microfiber cloth dampened with a mixture of warm water and a mild detergent. You are bound to have a spare microfibre cloth hanging around. It’s the same cloth you do the dusting with. It’s perfect for leather upholstery in cars.
Mix a little fabric softener with water in a spray bottle and lightly mist fabric seats and carpeted areas to add a pleasant fragrance.
Consider steam cleaning your car’s interior to remove deeply embedded lingering smells and stubborn stains. If you have a steam cleaner, you can do this yourself, if not, you make have to take this to someone who specialises in cleaning cars using steam cleaners. It’s likely that it won’t be the cheaper car wash services that offer steam cleaning. You may have to consider a valet service.
Don’t forget to give the inside of your windows a clean as well. Use a soft cotton or microfibre cloth and an ammonia-free glass cleaner. This is the one area of my car interior that I find needs cleaning the most.
Floor Mats and Seat Covers
Investing in high-quality floor mats and seat covers can help prevent odours from getting into your car’s upholstery. Choose floor mats that are easy to remove and clean. This prevents spills and odours from getting trapped in your car’s footwells. Seat covers not only protect your car seats from stains but also make it easier to maintain a fresh-smelling interior. Floor mats and seat covers are also a great way to express your individuality when it comes to your car. You can stick with the manufacturers’ ones, but there are a whole lot of options for ones which are a bit more fun and funky.
Maintain a Fresh Interior
Preventing odours from becoming a problem is often the best approach. Here are some of my best techniques for stopping nasty niffs from returning.
Clean your car’s interior regularly to prevent odours from building up.
Replace the scent in your Carfume Car Air Freshener when it runs out.
Avoid eating in your car to prevent the lingering smell of the food. If you do eat in your car, remove the food waste shortly after finishing your meal.
Install high-quality air filters to help keep stinky smells from entering your car.
After transporting items that may have odours, for example, gym bags or takeaways, leave your car to air for a few minutes. Try and avoid leaving these items in your car for extended periods.
Getting rid of the new car smell and maintaining a fresh and inviting car interior doesn’t have to be a challenging task. By using a combination of these methods, you can eliminate unwanted odours and make your car smell how you want it. There’s a solution for everyone. Remember that regular cleaning is key to keeping your car smelling fresh for the long term. Say goodbye to the overpowering new car smell and hello to a clean, pleasant, and odour-free new car.
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