Everyone wants to maintain the new car smell as long as possible. But what do you do when the air turns musty? Here’s a look at 6 common causes of car odors and how you can remove them.
How to check for hidden odor sources
Cars are full of hard-to-reach spots, so make sure you give yours a full search. Check under seats and floor mats, in seatback pockets and door compartments, and anywhere the foul-smelling culprit could be hiding. Don’t forget places like your glove compartment, too. Oftentimes the smell is a result of a forgotten object like a moldy piece of fruit, or something accidentally tracked in by a shoe.
Throw away anything you find and give your car a chance to air out by opening doors or windows for a while. If a smell remains, then the source may be less obvious. Pervasive odors sometimes indicate an overheated car or that you need an oil change.
How to clean car carpet and upholstery
If you can’t find the source, pull out the car vacuum. Many times, the upholstery, carpet, or fabric interior can trap odors. [1] Work the vacuum into crevices using the upholstery attachment. If this doesn’t do the trick but you believe this is the source of your odor issue, try steam cleaning. Use car cleaning tools to make cleaning the interior easier. If your car has leather seats, there are simple ways to clean them.
How to get cigarette smell out of car
Keep in mind that cigarette smoke has a way of getting everywhere, including into the vents. Spray a car odor eliminator into the vents as well as through the intake valve under the hood. In addition, open all the windows and doors to air things out.
Smoking leaves behind tar, which is a sticky substance. Wipe down the interior panels with a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar. If the odor still lingers, mix in some dish soap as well. Once finished, wipe the interior surfaces dry. If your car has cloth upholstery and carpet, vacuuming it can help remove any ash or smoke particles. If your car has an ashtray, it’s best to check that this is also cleaned out. The final thing that can help rid your car of the smoke odor is changing your air filters. [2]
How to get vomit smell out of car
Don’t forget about small children or pets who could have had an accident on the upholstery or experienced a moment of car sickness. Even if these accidents were wiped up right away, a deeper clean might be necessary to fully get rid of the odor.
To air out the smell from your car, make sure to open the windows and doors for a longer period. Before you get started on scrubbing, put on some protective gloves and protective eyewear, because vomit can contain bacteria and viruses.
If the vomit is already dry, use a 50/50 water and vinegar solution to rehydrate the spot and then remove it with a wet/dry vacuum. If you have kids, check out our top 11 tips for keeping your car clean with kids. [3]
How to get mildew smell out of a car
Mildew is another source of unwelcome odors. All you need is one rainstorm and an overlooked partially open window (or even just a small leak with a buildup of condensation) to experience this. Luckily, removing mildew smells in cars is straightforward.
A wet/dry vacuum can help remove remaining water from carpets and upholstery but in a pinch, even a hair dryer might work. You can also remove odors with baking soda by sprinkling it on the affected area and letting it absorb for 2 hours before vacuuming it away. [4]
How to get rid of musty smell in car AC
Another possible source of that musty smell is the air conditioning system. One telltale sign is damp floor mats near the air conditioner. If you find an odor coming from this area, open the front cover and remove the filter. Use a nylon scrub pad to remove any mold growth, then use a cotton swab to dry it. (To finish drying things out, turn on the car’s heater.) When you’re sure the area is completely dry, apply an anti-mildew solution, enzymatic cleaner or odor absorber.
You could also sprinkle baking soda on the upholstery and leave it in place for a day or so before vacuuming away. By then, the smell should have dissipated. You also may, of course, remove any car mats and let them air out for a while. Dust can also pile up inside the vents and lead to a musty smell in a car. In this case, vacuum the vents and use the water-vinegar solution on the interior.
How to get rid of egg smell in car
Some smells indicate a larger problem brewing, especially if you notice them more while your car is running. If the smell you’re getting is rotten eggs, there could be an issue with your catalytic converter.
If there’s a significant buildup on the catalytic converter, this will cause it to overheat and smell like sulfur. The fuel pressure sensor could be another source of the rotten egg smell. If it malfunctions, it will allow too much oil into the catalytic converter, resulting in a sulfur smell. The last place the smell could be coming from is the transmission fluid. Changing the fluid should solve the issue. If any of these are issues, be sure to make an appointment with a reliable mechanic as soon as possible. [5]
How to keep your car clean
After you’ve gotten rid of the smell in your car, it’s important to prioritize keeping your car clean to prevent odors in the future. Here are our top tips:
- Clear any trash frequently from under the seats, in the cracks, and on the floor.
- Clean floor mats with soap and hot water.
- Vacuum the interior seats and the floor.
- Wipe the interior with a cloth to remove grime and dirt.
- Scrub the cup holders to remove any spilled liquids.
- Remove any stains that appear on the seats or carpet.
- If you have an animal, prioritize removing pet hair from the interior.
- Use a car freshener, which can be made with baking soda and your favorite essential oil. [6]
Use the right cleaning products for your car
Before resorting to having your car professionally detailed, there are a few tools and products that can help eliminate odors. You might even already have some of these in your home:
- Baking soda: Mix with warm water to get grime off the exterior of your car without being too harsh
- Vinegar: Mix with water and spray the exterior of your car to make it shine and ensure no streaks when it dries
- Dish soap: Mix with hot water to clean the exterior of your car without worrying about any damage
- Vacuum cleaner: Use to get rid of any dirt in the interior of your car
- Carpet cleaner: Use to ensure that the interior carpets are rid of any dirt or crumbs
- Lemon juice and olive oil: Protect your hard and vinyl surfaces by applying a thin coat of this mixture
- Disinfectant wipes: Use to wipe dashboard, glove box and hard surfaces clean [7]
If you’ve tried everything and the smell still hasn’t dissipated, the odor might be the least of your problems. Smells sometimes indicate a developing issue with your car itself, so bring it in to a dealer or auto shop for inspection before more costly damage can occur.
Once you’ve found and resolved the problem, your car should smell fresh as a daisy. You can also add air fresheners to help it stay that way. Want more tips and useful information? Check out these articles on car maintenance and cleaning tips.
Sources:
[1] “Complete guide for car odor elimination,” fortador-usa.com/blog/how-to-remove-odors-and-bad-smells-in-car-cabin (Accessed 2023).
[2] “How To Get Smoke Smell Out of the Car,” caranddriver.com/car-accessories/a38106404/how-to-get-smoke-smell-out-of-the-car (Accessed 2023).
[3] “How to Remove Vomit Smell From a Car | Vomit smell removal out of car,” fortador-usa.com/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-vomit-smell-from-car (Accessed 2023).
[4] “How to Remove the Smell of Mold From Your Car,” Elan McAfee, yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-remove-the-smell-of-mold-from-your-car (Accessed 2023).
[5] “Why Does My Car Smell Like Rotten Eggs?” Dustin Hawley, jdpower.com/cars/shopping-guides/why-does-my-car-smell-like-rotten-eggs (Accessed 2023).
[6] “Top 10 Car Interior Cleaning Tips,” Rachel Brougham, familyhandyman.com/list/top-10-cleaning-tips-for-the-inside-of-your-car (Accessed 2023).
[7] “How to Clean Your Car With Household Items,” Joyce Morse, yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-clean-your-car-with-household-items (Accessed 2023).
Disclaimer:
The information included here is designed for informational purposes only. It is not legal, tax, financial or any other sort of advice, nor is it a substitute for such advice. The information may not apply to your specific situation. We have tried to make sure the information is accurate, but it could be outdated or even inaccurate in parts. It is the reader’s responsibility to comply with any applicable local, state or federal regulations. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, its affiliates and their employees make no warranties about the information nor guarantee of results, and they assume no liability in connection with the information provided. Nationwide and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2024 Nationwide
