How to Keep your Car Smelling Clean

Posted on 11. Jan, 2009 by Frank in cars

A brand-new smelling fast car does not necessarily mean it’s clean. In fact, those smell from new fast cars come from unsettled molecules of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) such as rubber or plastic materials and cleaning solvents.According to a study in Australia, there are over 30 organic compounds, some toxic, that are found floating in fast new cars.

In order to counter these chemicals, drive with an open window for the first four to six months of cruising with your new fast car.
Always remember that your supercar automobile is a refuge of all smoke, bacteria, exhaust fumes and various airborne contaminants. A clean smell can be disrupted by either liquid and solid wastes or an automotive problem.Here is a list of several smells that may be caused by internal problems of your hot fast car.

1) EXHAUST FUMES.
When your fast cars smells like exhaust fumes, it can be a sign of leaks in the exhaust system, including in the muffler, exhaust manifold, tailpipe and exhaust pipes. It can also be due to worn seal on the rear door or hatchback.
Once you smell this, make sure to take action immediately. Exhausts can be deadly due to carbon monoxide. During these occasions, it is best for your super fast car to be serviced by a mechanic or muffler.

2) GAS
If your fast car smells like raw gas, it could signify leakage in the tailpipe, muffler, exhaust manifold and exhaust pipe. It can also be due to worn seal on rear door or hatchback.
When this happens, check if the gas cap is loose or misplaced. If the smell persists,bring your new fast car to the mechanic right away.

3) PLASTIC
The smell of burning plastic inside your super fast car could be caused by any kind of plastic lying on the road that has been stuck to the hot exhaust located beneath the car. Although this can be difficult to get rid off, it is best to crawl under the car and scrape the plastic manually.

4) OIL
Smelling oil leakage could cause light smoke and a very foul smell. This is usually caused by an oil engine leakage that spills into the exhaust manifold and begins to be burnt. Preventive oil maintenance is the best way to avoid this problem. However, if you’re in this kind of situation, bring your new fast car to the mechanic to be fixed.
A foul smell on your fast car can mean more than it is. It can damage your engine or your tires and cause a car breakdown. Be cautious about these smells to prevent further damage of your fast new car. Contact a mechanic right away if an unusual smells brings about.

My car used to look like a catch-all for the city dump. Since I am in my car so much, I treat used to treat it like a drop off place for all extra items. It used to be that, at any given moment, I’d have at least three dollars worth of empty aluminum cans, sheaves of papers, library books, and a plethora of other items strewn about the inside of my vehicle. I was embarrassed to have anyone ride with me because I’d have to re-arrange the contents just to make space for them to be seated inside. And my trunk! It looked like a trash pile in there as well; things rolling around would sometimes make me think that my car’s suspension had a problem! But no more: I have created a very simple method of organizing the my car and keeping it smelling fresh and clean.

TIP 1: Crate The Excess!

I purchased three inexpensive plastic crates that cost four dollars each; two for my trunk and one for the back seat

of my car. I don’t know about your trunk but mine holds not only emergency road supplies (a blanket, a jug of water, flashlight, gas additive, two extra bottles of oil, light jacket, gloves, snow scraper, hiking boots) but also various garage sale purchases, and seemingly endless other things that just appear out of some invisible black hole.

I used two crates in the trunk; one for the emergency road items and one for miscellaneous items. Wow! Suddenly, I didn’t have to shift everything around to put groceries or department store purchases in my trunk! And, whenever I purchase breakable items at garage sales or department stores, they are safe in the miscellaneous crate and won’t roll around should I have to brake suddenly (usually for yet another garage sale!) They also act as stabilizers for grocery sacks.

The third crate I placed in the back seat of my car for items such as library books or items borrowed from friends to be returned. Instantly, my car wasn’t cluttered any longer! Plus, nothing gets “accidentally lost” under the seats anymore. Also, when vacuuming my car, I don’t have to continuously pick things up to vacuum under them. These crates have really been a time saver for me, not to mention improving the look of my car!

TIP 2: The Glove Compartment

I don’t think I have ever put a pair of gloves in this area of my car! But, oh goodness, the things that find their way into that glove box. I used to use this part of my car to cram gas receipts, tissues, paper napkins, maps, and my car manual plus whatever was in the way on my passenger seat when someone was to ride with me…that is, whatever didn’t get pitched into the back seat! I found a way to organize this area: manilla letter envelopes. I have three; one for gas receipts, one for maps, and one for napkins and tissues. I finally cleaned out my car manual packet of all the old insurance cards and registration forms and the thing is at least 50% thinner! Now, whenever I need to add to my glove box, I have a place for everything that belongs there plus I now have room for my extra sunglasses, a couple of fresh packs of cracker snacks for the times I’m stuck in traffic needing a little energy boost, and plenty of space for a pen and small pad of paper for notes.

TIP 3: A Trash Bag

This is absolutely essential to any vehicle. For my trash bags, I keep a few plastic grocery bags tucked under the passenger seat for soda cans, empty cigarette packs, used tissues, empty fast food containers and other trash. By keeping on top of this type of trash, my car stays clean.

TIP 4: A Fresh Scent

Many people will buy special car deodorants for their vehicles but there is never a need for that expense: the very best way to keep your car smelling fresh is to put a dryer sheet under a seat. It’s that simple.

Just like in the dryer, heat inside the vehicle causes the dryer sheet to release its fresh scent and your vehicle will always smell wonderful even if you are a smoker! Plus, the cost to you is so minimal (about 3 cents per dryer sheet), much cheaper than those ugly pine trees that dangle from the mirror or the cans of solid scent that sometimes will melt and spill on your interior carpet. I change the sheet out whenever I can no longer smell it, about once every three weeks. This method is cheap and effective.

Try these simple methods yourself and see what a difference they make in keeping your own car clean and fresh!

Ways to Keep Your Car Smelling Good

Don’t smoke. This is one of the hardest smells to get out of the interior of a vehicle. Wait until you are home or at work where you can get out and smoke.

Keep your windows rolled up during bad weather. Rain can get inside and if left unattended, can start to mildew and stink your vehicle up!

Air fresheners and scented items are great for a clean smell. This will help cover up any bad smells your vehicle might’ve picked up along its lifespan. Keeping an air freshener attached to your air vent will help circulate the scent throughout the vehicle.

If you are a messy eater, then try to avoid eating in the car. While driving, it is easy to drop food into cracks in the seat and onto the floorboard. If you are in a hurry and forget to clean out all the spilled food, it can quickly start to smell up the interio

A fact of life and car materials is that eventually the moisture and chemicals that give a new car that smell will go away.

You can prolong that time by not letting the car ever get hot or see the sun. By keeping the windows up, and by never ever sitting in it!

Just kidding. Really though, the more you use the car, the quicker the smell will go away. What gives any new car (or any new item) that “new” smell is really all the chemicals. In this case the chemicals in vinyl, rubber, carpet/cloth and leather. Even the paint, sealants, padding and grease/oil used on all over the interior of any new car.

Ever wonder what the scum is on the inside of windows of cars when the owners don’t smoke? It is that new car smell! The scum is the result of gasses off of all the material inside the car mixed with usual dirt in the air and humidity from the air and human breath. That all gets on the windows (and all over everything else too) and causes that nasty stuff that is hard to get off.

The more you introduce new smells (food, coffee, smoke, smells from the outside etc) into your car, the quicker they overwhelm the factory smells.

But eventually all those new things in your car age, no matter what you do and no longer have that smell. Ever wonder why old vinyl, leather or rubber is so hard and easy to crack? Same reason it no longer smells new, all the chemicals that made it soft when new are now gone.

The cleaner you keep your car, and the less you let it sit in the sun and the heat that makes those chemicals dry up, the better off you are.

Use a sunshade, leave a window cracked, park in the shade or garage as much as possible.

Keep your interior clean. Use cleaning chemicals that introduce as little of their own smell as possible. All DC CarCare products are chosen to put as little of their own smell into the car as possible, or at least leave a natural (car like) smell.

For leather and vinyl, a product like Lexol Leather Cleaner and Conditioner cleans dirt and outside smells while putting back in needed moisture and protecting the PH of the leather. Lexol Vinylex does the same thing for interior or exterior vinyl and plastic.

Finally, I do NOT recommend any car deodorizers, at least yet. I have tried a lot of them, but the traditional pine tree is for covering up BAD smells, not keeping the good ones. Most other car “smell” products also introduce a smell that is usually far worse than what you have to begin with. There are even some now that advertise that they smell “like a new car” Funny how they can say that, because every new car smells different. Typically, Japanese cars smell different from European and both smell different from American cars. It is the different types of materials they traditionally use along with the mix of materials. Compare several different brand new cars and you will see what I mean.

You could try some of those smells/deodorants, but I would NOT recommend you use any of them in a car till you try them out somewhere else…in the garage, or outside the garage. And only use a TINY amount of any smell chemical or spray because some of them have been known to hang around for years, and most are NOT something you want to smell every time.

And if some day you get in your car and you can’t smell new leather, or new vinyl, then at least it should smell clean and not musty. That is what our products will do for you. After detailing your car with DC CarCare products you will smell some new smells in your car, but that should go away in a day or two, leaving you car smelling the way you remember.

You can also buy some new things like a new set of floor mats, or a new leather Wheelskin steering wheel cover. New items have some of the “new” smell and can add in good new smells from time to time while making you feel better along the way.

Finally, if you ever have others wash or detail your car, keep them from soaking the interior in soapy water, or using perfumed chemicals on the inside. Ask before you turn your car over for the first time (ask EVERY time to be sure) to smell what they will use and HOW they will do it? You may get your new car back smelling like bubblegum, or worse, mold and mildew, and THAT would be a shame.

How To Keep Your Car Smelling Fresh From The Inside

Some say that a car is like your second home. If it is, then just like your home, you’d like it to be clean and smelling fresh. I mean, who wants to come home to a house that stinks, right? Same thing applies to your car. So how do you go about ensuring that your car smells like it just came out of the shower? Well, here are some tips from Kicking Tires that might help you out:

Bag your clothes – In case you just came from the beach or from practice, make it a point to bag your wet or used clothes. That way, it won’t incur mildew and at the same time stink up your car. Plastic bags are recommended but only for short rides. For the occasional long one, bring a duffel bag but make sure you get it cleaned right after so the smell doesn’t stay.

Leave the windows open – While you’re A/C gives you cooler air, it does have a tendency to keep the smell circulating inside. Leaving your windows open allows the inside of your car to breathe and expel any stench inside. That my friend, is where we let natural air do its job of getting rid of any unimaginable stench lingering inside your car.

Get stain-resistant seat covers – During long trips (and even during short ones), we can’t avoid having a meal inside our car. While it’s a good way to manage your time, the problem with this is that the food and drink you’re enjoying may end up spilling over your seat covers. Keeping them unclean can cause you to inhale something you’d wish you’ve never smelled at all. So to make it easier for you to maintain and keep your seats clean, go for this type of seat cover.

Get a car freshener – This one I just added to the mix. Just like perfumes, a car freshener can help add a sweet aroma and counter the effects of bad smell currently entering your nostrils. It’s readily available in all automobile shops and practically doesn’t require any type of installation.

Bring a trash bag – this is in relation to tip 3. If you enjoy eating in your car, make sure you have a bag to stash away your trash. Also, make sure that it’s sealed tight to keep its contents from spilling out.

Make sure you’re clean – I know we’re talking about making sure that the insides of your car smells fresh and clean but in case you’ve got all the things above covered and your car still smells, you might have to check if you’re the problem. Maybe the shirt you’re wearing got stuck up in the closet for too long or the perfume you’re wearing just isn’t cutting it. Either way, make sure you’re smelling fresh and clean before stepping in your car.

So there you have it. At least the next time you go on the road, you’ll know what to do to help keep your car clean and prevent your passengers from hurling or fainting at the same time.

Keep Your Car Interior Clean and Smelling Fresh
Everyone loves that new-car smell, but sooner or later most cars start smelling used. Learn how to keep the interior of your car smelling as clean and fresh as the rest of your vehicle with these quick tips and fast fixes.

Keep It Clean
Major road trips or long commutes often mean a few spills or piles of clutter. Always take time to throw away whatever tissue or trash is in the car when you get home or stop for gasoline. Try to have your car professionally cleaned inside and out. Use non-toxic carpet and upholstery cleaner with an enzymatic neutralizer to eliminate odors without contaminating your car.

Prevention
The upholstery of many new cars is treated with stain repellant to help reduce the absorption of accidental spills; unfortunately, it can wear off over time and may need to be touched up — especially in high-use areas like arm rests. Spray-on stain repellant like Scotch Guard is easy to apply and helps prevent stains and odor.

Don’t Smoke
Not only does smoking inside a vehicle expose others to dangerous second-hand smoke, but tobacco is one of the most difficult odors to remove from the upholstery of your vehicle. It also increases insurance rates and decreases the resale value of your vehicle.

Quick Fix Spill Kit
Carry a quick-fix emergency kit for accidental spills. Use an absorbent towel to soak up the spill, then spot treat with a “green” upholstery spray cleaner. It’s also a good idea to carry wet wipes to get rid of fingerprints and other common causes of grime left behind by active kids and pets.

Stop Skin Contact
Use seat protectors or covers to put a barrier between skin and upholstery, especially if you’re active or use your vehicle to transport kids or pets. Not only do the natural oils in your skin attract dirt and grime, but the odor-causing bacteria contained in sweat make even the cleanest car smell like a locker room.

Seal It
Whether you’re doing laundry or transporting garden fertilizer, whenever possible use a sealed storage box or plastic bag to keep smelly items away from odor-absorbent areas of the car like carpeting or upholstery.

Skip the Snack
Oily snacks and fast foods are common odor culprits. If you need to eat or drink when driving, find foods without lots of grease. Not only are they better for your health, but your car is less likely to absorb oil-based odors frequently found on everything from French fries to chips.

Add a Breath of Fresh Air
Today there are more choices than ever when it comes to freshening the interior of your car. From aromatherapy to simple fragrances, refresh your car’s interior with these simple ideas:

Aromatherapy: Use a few drops of your favorite essential oil in an inconspicuous place for a fragrance that reflects your perfect scent. Essential oils are also fun ways to change your car smell for seasonal holidays. Plus, they are usually all-natural, making them as safe as they are fragrant.

Diffusers: Diffusers are another popular alternative for those who prefer an automatic dispersal of oils. Simply plug into the cigarette lighter of the car and fill with oil for a gentle fragrance that continually updates itself.

Traditional Air Fresheners: Add a touch of nostalgia to your ride by hanging a simple air freshener over the rearview mirror; effective and inexpensive, these are the perfect solution for vintage car owners.

Ten steps of keeping your car smelling clean:

step1:
Empty everything out of the vehicle and trunk, discard the obvious garbage, and return coffee cups to the kitchen.

Step2:
Sort the remaining items into piles, such as maintenance supplies, kids’ stuff, music and videos, manuals and maps.

Step3:
Clean all interior surfaces. Vacuum the floors and seats, wipe down the dash and doors, clean windows and shake out the floor mats.

Step4:
Keep a trash bin on the floor of the back seat, or hang a trash bag from the dashboard.

Step5:
Stash kids’ toys, small books and travel games in a behind-theseat organizer (a hanging shoe bag works, too), within reach of backseat passengers. Periodically rotate items in and out to keep kids interested.

Step6:
Stow tapes and CDs in visor organizers. Separate kids’ tunes from adult music.

Step7:
Store the following in the glove compartment: owner’s manual, maps, vehicle registration information (if required), auto club information, accident report form, notepad, pen, disposable camera, flashlight, list of emergency contact names and numbers, tire gauge, paper napkins and any other frequently needed or essential items.

Step8:
Purchase or make an emergency kit for your vehicle and store it in the trunk or rear of the car. Include booster cables, a tire gauge, flares, reflective tape, a help sign, a screwdriver, pliers, a first aid kit, work gloves, a blanket, an old towel or rags, a jug of water and motor oil. .

Step9:
Put together a survival kit, especially if you live in a cold-weather climate. Include candles, waterproof matches, energy bars or candy bars, large plastic garbage bags and rubber bands. Keep larger items, such as cat litter (for slippery roads), a collapsible shovel, an extra blanket and heavy socks, hats and mittens (enough for several passengers), in a duffel bag or tub in the trunk or rear of the car.

Step10:
Tackle the car again every season. Restock all your kits; check your maintenance schedule to see when servicing is needed .

Actually, it’s really easy to make your car smell nice… without resorting to using things to rescent it.

There’s a couple of steps. First, CLEAN it. If there’s a lot of staining in the seats, get it shampooed at a detailing place. To make it smell good without resorting to chemicals, you’re going to have to vacuum it regularly; get used to it.

Second, go to your local wal-mart type store and get two things: A can of citrus de-scenting spray (Lemon or orange-based stuff), and a bag of activated charcoal. After your seats and carpets are as clean as you can get them, spray a light dusting of the citrus on the seats and carpet. DO NOT spray it on anything vinyl or plastic; citrus will stain and etch the plastic. Let the car air out.

Third, vacuum regularly. I can not streess how, if you want to keep your car smelling decently without the use of toxic, stinky chemicals, you have to clean it regularly. If you spill something on the carpet, use carpet cleaners to get it out just as you would the carpet in your home.

Finish off your detailing by spraying a small amount of endust or other NON-WAXING furniture polish … I like the lemon scent … and rubbing down all of the plastic surfaces. This removes the dust and scuzz, which is also smelly, and provides a disincentive for it to stick again, as well as a degree of UV protection. Don’t use armor-all. Armor-all products suck and will shine up your dashboard to a nice bright shiny blinding shine.

If you’re dealing with a moldy smell inside the car that doesn’t go away after that, you’re dealing with a mold or other scuzz infestation in your air ducts due to condensation and liquid coming in through the intakes.
Get some lysol, turn the car on enough that the fan is running, open the hood, OPEN THE WINDOWS, turn the fans on their highest settings and the temperature selector all the way to ‘cool’, and spray lysol into the air intake. You’ll need a good amount. Then do the same with heat. (They use a different register.) Then turn it back to cool and leave the fan on high until you can no longer smell lysol coming from the air ducts. When you get in the car the first time, let all the windows down and drive with the heat blowing full blast for a while so that all the lysol on the heating elements burns off without capturing the toxic fumes in your car.