Eliminate Car Odor Just like at a Full Service Car Wash
A few sandwich crumbs or a leftover French fry hiding underneath a car seat can make a difference between having a clean, fresh aroma and a bad one that makes your nose wrinkle every time you step in the car. Even the slightest of drink spills, like coffee, milk, or juice, can lead to a bad odor that makes you wonder what strangers think every time they pass by your car in public parking lots. If you’ve tried endlessly to air your car and spray odor eliminating products to no avail, then you’re most likely skipping a few important steps that will surely improve the condition of your car. But fear not, because we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know to be able to fight this bad stench once and for all just as professionals would at a full service car wash.
Clean Up Your Car
- Before you take on any missions to remove dirt from inside your car, you have to clean the outside of your car, just like specialists would at a full service car wash. Starting outside means that you’ll get rid of external sources that could possibly be contributing to the bad smell. If your car has bird droppings, mud, or anything similar, then the odor could be coming from that. It is recommended to go to a professional car wash for this step, since they use products and tools that are safe for the environment and your car’s paint. However, if you choose to wash your car yourself, make sure to use a microfiber cloth instead of regular sponges and rags; microfiber cloths don’t scratch or dull the paint.
- Next, you should examine your car’s interior and search for items that need to be thrown out. Takeout food bags, candy wrappers, empty or old bottles, papers, and food should all be removed from the car. Anything that you find that does not belong in a car should be dumped in the trash or put back in its rightful place at home. Tidying up the clutter will then help you thoroughly clean the car.
Detailed Cleaning
- After you’ve removed all the unnecessary objects, you should clean the windows from the inside using an auto glass cleaning product. Once that’s done, wipe the dashboard, steering wheel, and the radio/AC area with a clean, wet cloth; this removes dust buildup. Just make sure that the cloth is soft and that it is damp but isn’t dripping water everywhere. Simply squeeze the cloth before you get in the car if it is soaking.
- Then, brush the upholstery and carpets with a car interior cleaning brush. Doing so loosens dirt, like hair strands and dried-on stains.
- Vacuum the seats and carpets to help remove the dirt you just scrubbed off.
- Afterwards, you can take a damp towel and a clean, soapy sponge that you haven’t used before to, say, clean the dishes or wash your pet. It is important that the tools you use are clean, or else you’re adding more problems to your car and worsening the smell. At a full service car wash, specialists regularly invest in new tools, like towels, in order to maintain the cleanliness, so you should try to do the same. Once more, be cautious that the towel is just damp and not dripping water. As for the soapy sponge, use either a mild laundry detergent or soap; don’t use harsh chemicals or a detergent that takes forever to clean up. Then, gently scrub the upholstery and carpets with the soapy sponge, removing any obvious stains, and follow up with the damp towel to remove the soap residue.
- When all of that’s done, leave the windows down so that the car air dries without creating mold and mildew.
Scrub the Trunk and Vacuum
Just as you’ve done to the rest of the car, you will do to the trunk. Brush out the trunk’s carpet using a car interior cleaning brush and then vacuum it. When you’ve removed clinging dirt, clean the trunk’s carpet with the soapy sponge and damp towel and then let air dry by keeping the trunk open.
Deodorize the Car
This is when you can deodorize the car. Spray an odor removal spray within the car, the trunk, and even over air vents, both inside and out. This will add a fresh scent to the car.
If Odor Remains
If after all this work the odor remains, you should take your car to a full service car wash for a cleaning targeted toward removing this stench. Experts would know what areas to target that you’ve missed or that you’re not capable of reaching and cleaning on your own.
It’s not difficult to remove bad odor from your car. You just have to know the right way to do so. A small stain can make the entire vehicle reek. Therefore, with these simple steps, you’ll have your car clean and smelling brand new.
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