Ever got in a car that smells funky, is dusty, or just plain dirty and cluttered with junk? Yeah, we haven’t either.
Kidding aside, the state of your car interior is a serious matter. No matter how busy you are—
Come to think of it, especially if you are very busy, you definitely need your car interior to be clean and smelling good, to help take away some of that stress. It will also help ensure you are not exposed to germs, thanks to accumulated dirt, mold, and heaven knows what else.
Here are 7 ways to treat yourself to a clean, fresh smelling car interior:
1. Give your interior a thorough cleaning.
Car interiors require a regular detailed cleaning for these major reasons: to get rid of lingering bad odors and to disinfect everything inside. Your local carwash can do this, or you can go the DIY route and save.
If you have time for the latter, you will need these:
- A vacuum cleaner with a hose and attachments that fit hard-to-reach areas
- Cleaner
- Deodorizer
- Wiping materials
- Brushes
- Sponges
Make sure to clean these:
- Vents (both upper and lower)
- Mats
- Windows
- Pockets
- Cup holder
- Carpet
- Upholstery
To remove stains and dirt from cloth seats, club soda, baking soda mixed with water, white vinegar mixed with water and dishwashing soap, or laundry detergent will work great. Dab your preferred cleaner on the stain and then remove it with a toothbrush or a scrub.
With leather seats, you can opt for the same vinegar mixture, lemon juice with cream of tartar paste, nail polish remover, or good old rubbing alcohol. Use with cotton balls or soft sponge to remove stains from leather seats. Make sure to let your seats dry afterward. To make them smell great, wipe with laundry sheets.
2. Keep your interior trash-free.
Avoid leaving food wrappers, empty cups and bottles, cartons, etc., in your car. For that matter, don’t place these in your seats or on the floor. Instead, keep a mini trashcan (preferably lined with a small trash bag) inside to avoid leaving garbage where they shouldn’t be. Just make sure to regularly empty and clean your trash can. Whenever you find yourself eating inside your car, it’s best to take the garbage bag out with you when you get home to avoid leaving wet or greasy food wrappers, boxes, or cups inside even if they’re inside a covered trash can.
3. Avoid smoking inside.
Even if you leave your car window open, the smell of cigarette smoke will cling to surfaces, especially your upholstery fabric or leather, and linger.
4. Keep your car interior dry.
Always make sure to close your windows and to use floor mats to prevent dampness, thanks to the weather. Floor mats also help prevent dirt, especially if your shoes are wet, from clinging to the carpet. The mildew and mold that result from water leaks will not only smell bad, it they will be bad for your health.
5. Always use spill-proof cups and mugs.
Despite your regular detailed cleaning schedule, spills are still best avoided at all costs, especially if your next cleaning schedule is still days away. Cleaning up after spills eats into your time, and it’s far from a fun thing to do.
6. Regularly shake out your floor mats.
In addition to washing your floor mats during a detailed cleaning, don’t forget to shake them out once or twice a week to remove dust and dried mud and other bits of dirt.
7. Always have a car freshener.
Use one that will neutralize rather than mask the odors.
Or you can try these hacks:
Dryer sheets and fabric fresheners
Hang some dryer sheets on the A/C vents; the sheets will act as a deodorizer. Or you can opt for a whole box of dryer sheets, punctured in the corners and place under a seat for fragrance that lasts longer than your standard car freshener.
Essential oils
Just a drop or two can give you that soothing car aromatherapy. Simply put the diffuser on your console. Or you can dab cotton balls with a few drops of essential oil and put them on the vents or side pockets. Or mix a few drops with water and put in a spray bottle for spritzing. Try to go with mild and refreshing smells (e.g., peppermint, cucumber, vanilla).
Scented candles
Just pop a scented candle on the console or under the seat for a fresh scent to go with your clean interior.
A car interior that smells clean and refreshing can do a whole lot of good for you, especially if you are no stranger to stressful days at work and some hectic times at home. It can make drives to and from work, in between errands, to and from appointments, etc., a time to breathe and relax and regroup. That can go a long way in terms of stress management as well as health and wellness.
You know what goes well with a clean and fresh-smelling car interior? An affordable, customizable coverage that picks up where your manufacturer’s warranty has left off.
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