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We all love that new car smell. But it doesn’t last forever. From dirt to fast food wrappers, to Monday morning coffee spills, the likelihood of your car smelling unpleasant can increase over time. While cleaning out your car can help, those bad smells may still linger. However, we have 5 ways to help eliminate those smells caused by daily usage that will keep your car smelling fresh all year long!  

Keeping your car clean isn’t just about how it may look; but also, how it smells! These 5 tips will help keep your car smelling fresh this spring season... and beyond.

Clean your air vents

During winter, air vents accumulate dirt and germs, so when spring rolls around, your car might have a distinct odor. The condition of the air vents can be taken care of by following these few steps:

• Check out the upper and lower vents for debris and dust buildup
• Make sure to change your cabin air filter regularly
• Have your A/C overflow tube drained to get rid of standing water that can cause mold. Dirt and debris can be cleaned out by squeezing it through, however many cars should be on a hoist for proper access. We recommend discussing this procedure with your mechanic.

Observe clean habits

It’s important to follow good habits to ensure you maximize keeping your car smelling fresh. Make sure that you dispose of trash properly, especially if it is a food or drink item. Leaving trash in your car overnight, or in the blistering sun, will cause food to start to spoil, and removing that rotten smell is a lot harder than tossing that fry container in the trash. The same goes for spills, because we have all had one. Any residue from the spill will accumulate over time, making it tougher to clean, and in the future, it will be more difficult to combat the smell. So clean soon and well to avoid dealing with it for weeks or months to come.

Clean the floor mats

Car mats help protect the carpet of your car, collecting all the dirt we drag in every time we get into our vehicle. Whether you have carpet-style or rubber mats, it is essential that you clean them regularly. Take them out of the car and use dish soap and a scrub brush on rubber mats; regular carpet cleaner works well on your carpet mats. Make sure that your mats are fully dry before placing them back inside your car to prevent mold and mildew.

Baking soda

One of the most useful cleaning items in your home is good old baking soda. It works great for so many things, including as a deodorizer for cars. Simply sprinkle some baking soda on the car seats, floor mats, and carpet, leave it for a few hours, then vacuum. This will remove bad odors and even dirt stuck to the upholstery. Speaking of upholstery...

Freshen up the upholstery

While we might think that vacuuming regularly helps keep away dust and dirt, stains will happen. Here are   a few different ways to combat stains on your upholstery. If you have cloth seats, you can use club soda, baking soda mixed with water, white vinegar mixed with water or even dish soap or laundry detergent. Just dab your mixture of choice onto the stain and use a soft bristled toothbrush to clean the area. If you have leather seats, you can use the same vinegar mixture, regular saddle soap, or lemon juice with cream of tartar paste. Use a cotton ball or soft sponge when removing these stains from your leather seats. Let the seats dry, wipe with a laundry sheet, and your car will smell good soon!

From dirt to fast food wrappers, to Monday morning coffee spills, increases the likely hood of your car smelling unpleasant. We hope you follow our 5 tips on keeping your car smelling fresh all year long! Clean your air vents, observe clean habits, clean the floor mats, use baking soda, and lastly freshen up the upholstery. Keeping your car clean isn’t just about how it may look; but also, how it smells! These 5 tips will help keep your car smelling fresh this spring season... and beyond.