No matter how much you love your car, there is no way you can tolerate the odour inside it. You spend most of your time inside the vehicle and it must keep smelling fresh and nice all the time. Trust us, an unpleasant smell in the car not only puts off your mood but also of the occupants. Imagine going on a date and your partner has to hold their breath through the ride or having to rolldown windows because the stench is just too much to handle. It can happen to the best of us. But nothing a few home remedies can't solve. Here are five hacks to remove that stench from your car's interior.
Sodium carbonate or baking soda has the power to absorb the odour in the cabin. The abrasive and alkaline powder not only neutralises the odour but also helps blanch stains. Sprinkle some baking soda on the seats. It absorbs bad smells in the cabin minimising the stench by a good margin. Leave the powder overnight and remove it the next day. Make it a point to invest in a handy vacuum that can remove all the small particles from the cabin for a long-lasting effect. You can also keep some baking soda in a sealed container with a few holes on top to act as a natural deodoriser.
Much like baking soda, charcoal is also a natural toxin absorber. Leave an open bag of charcoal briquettes in your car overnight. Activated charcoal is porous and will absorb anything around it in the air. You will be able to tell the difference the next day when you step into the vehicle. The best part is that unlike baking soda by the moisture, charcoal is not affected and can be re-used.
If you are looking for something stronger, vinegar just might be the harsh liquid to lift your spirits. Leave it in a small cup or bowl and vinegar will do its thing evaporating the odour overnight. Pure vinegar can be very strong and make sure to use the one that does not have any fragrances in it. For some strained spots in the cabin, you can make a mix of vinegar and water in equal parts and spray it on the affected area. Do make sure to check a small area first to see if it's causing any damage to the plastic or carpet. But do remember, never let pure vinegar spill in the cabin to avoid permanent stains.
You need to bring out the professional cleaning agents at times and the carpet cleaner is a good investment for a cabin that's been ignored for a long period. You do get automotive-related carpet cleaners that will do the job well. These are strong chemical agents though so do read the instructions carefully before using them in abundance.
Lastly, air fresheners or car fragrances are an absolute necessity. Cars will get spoilt if you drive them and a good fragrance will help mask the smell on smaller occasions. That said, always look for mild smells and not strong ones, especially if you are trying to mask bad smells. You do not want stale food mixing with lavender or the combination of smoke and lemon plaguing your cabin.
