Too Bad That New Car Smell Doesn’t Last Forever
As you put miles on your vehicle, the interior starts to collect traces of your road adventures—crumbs from quick meals, spilled coffee, melting snow, pet hair… Here are some tips from our automotive detailing team to help clear it all out.
Preventing Bad Odours in Your Car
The best way to handle bad smells is to prevent them from settling in by cleaning the interior regularly. Make it a habit to pick up wrappers and trash every time you leave the car. Vacuum the carpets and seats every now and then, and wipe down surfaces to remove dust and grime.
During the colder months, be sure to dry out your floor mats where snow can melt, pool, freeze—and repeat the cycle all winter long.
What’s Causing That Bad Smell?
First, locate the source of the odour. This helps you solve the issue quickly and strategically, without doing a full interior deep clean unnecessarily.
Smells are often clues:
Musty or sweaty smell in the car?
These smells are usually due to trapped moisture in the seats, carpets, or air vents.
To fix it, dry out the interior completely. Sprinkle baking soda over damp areas, let it dry, then vacuum everything thoroughly.
If possible, leave the windows open for several hours in a warm, dry space. Another option: open just one door and place a dehumidifier nearby to speed up the drying process. If you don’t have access to a garage, crack the windows slightly on a dry, mild day.
Still no luck? Get your ventilation system checked for clogged drains and replace the cabin air filter if needed.
Mouldy smell in the car?
The likely culprit: an old food wrapper or leftovers lost under a seat or in a hard-to-reach spot. Toss it and problem solved!
If not, water could be leaking in through worn seals, causing mould. Treat seats and carpets with a mould remover and use a steam cleaner or vent cleaner to purify the ventilation system. Then ventilate and dry out the car.
Sweet or rotten egg smell in the car?
These may point to mechanical issues. A sweet smell could mean a coolant or antifreeze leak—check for drips under the car and inspect fluid levels.
A rotten egg smell likely means your catalytic converter is damaged. This can hurt engine performance and even allow harmful fumes into the cabin or cause a fire. Book an urgent repair appointment.
Deep Cleaning to Eliminate Odours
If the smell lingers even after addressing the root cause, it may have spread throughout the cabin. Time for a deep clean!
Use Car-Specific Cleaning Products
It’s best to use products specifically designed for automotive interiors rather than all-purpose cleaners or DIY mixes. Automotive products are formulated to be effective without damaging leather, plastic, or fabric.
If using alternatives, avoid anything with ammonia or bleach—they can stain vinyl and tinted glass. Always test on a small hidden area first.
Steps for a Full Interior Car Cleaning:
- Remove all trash and personal items, including storage accessories.
- Vacuum all surfaces and tight corners.
- Wash rubber floor mats with soap and water; clean and dry fabric surfaces.
- Spot clean stains with a dedicated product and soft brush.
- Wipe all surfaces and compartments with a suitable cleaner and microfibre cloth.
- Clean the windshield, windows, and mirrors with glass cleaner and a fresh microfibre cloth.
- Dust the air vents and spray automotive vent cleaner (foam or aerosol) into the ducts.
- Spray an appropriate odour eliminator on seats and surfaces.
- Open the windows and air out the vehicle in a dry, shaded, secure area for a few hours.
- Reinstall accessories and storage items.
Best Odour Eliminators for Cars
Once your deep clean is done, a few products can help preserve that fresh smell. Many air fresheners, diffusers, and gels only mask odours—look for options that actually absorb and neutralise bad smells. Here are a few:
- Used coffee grounds can absorb mild odours. Place a container of grounds in the cabin overnight, then discard (to avoid mould). Bonus: you get a nice coffee aroma.
- Activated charcoal bags absorb and trap both odours and moisture. They’re fragrance-free, eco-friendly, and effective. Recharge by placing them in direct sunlight every 1–2 months.
- Some sprays contain enzymes, charcoal, or cyclodextrins that break down odour-causing particles. Check the ingredients to see if it’s a neutraliser, not just a perfume.
Still Smells Bad?
If your car still has a lingering odour after all that, it’s time to hand it over to the professionals—like the interior detailing team at VitroPlus. Our specialists have the expertise and industrial-grade tools—such as ozone generators and steam cleaners—to tackle even the toughest messes.
Find a location