Want to banish lingering odours from your car? In this handy guide, we share five of the most effective methods to eliminate common car odours, like pet smells, spills, leaks and smoke.

Removing Odours from Your Car

One of the best things about a brand-new car is the unique smell of pristine interiors and upholstery. However, that new car smell slowly fades over time and usage, and bad odours can develop without proper care and attention.

Smoking, eating, drinking and transporting your furry companions in your car can all cause odours to build up. Many of these common smells can linger and be difficult to get rid of, but with the right care, it’s not impossible to get your car smelling like new.

Whether you’re trying to identify the source of an unpleasant smell in a car you’ve bought secondhand or seeking a remedy for your own mishap, we’ve compiled five practical tips to help banish lingering odours and get your car smelling fresh and inviting once more.

How to Find the Source of Bad Odours in Your Car?

One of the hardest tasks when tackling unpleasant and lingering vehicle odours is understanding where these odours hide. The smells often seem elusive, but finding the source of the smells is the key to eliminating them and restoring a pleasant driving experience.

Here are some common hiding spots for car odours:

• Upholstery and Carpeting : Fibres in vehicle carpets or upholstery can trap odours, especially if spills or accidents have occurred.
• Air Vents and HVAC System : Mould, mildew, and bacteria can all thrive in the damp environment of air vents and the HVAC system and can circulate unpleasant odours throughout the car.
• Headliners and Ceiling Fabric : Odours from smoke, food, or pets can permeate the headliner and ceiling fabric, causing smells to linger even after surface cleaning.
• Trunk and Cargo Areas : Spills, leaks, and forgotten items in the trunk or cargo area can create odours that last and eventually spread throughout the vehicle.
• Underneath Seats and Between Cushions : Small bits of food, spilt drinks, or pet hair can build up between cushions and underneath seats and emit smells as they decompose.
• Dashboard and Interior Panels : The dashboard and interior panels can harbour odours from spills, dust or dirt that find their way into hard-to-reach crevices.
• Floor Mats and Floorboard : Spills or dirt on your floor mats can seep into the floorboard, leading to persistent odours if they aren’t cleaned and deodorised properly.