How to Get That New Car Smell

What Is the New Car Smell?

Unfortunately, sometimes things that smell good aren’t good for you. According to Chemical & Engineering News, new car smell is created when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the adhesives and sealants used in car manufacturing emit noxious gas into the passenger compartment, something known as off-gassing. Individually these VOCs aren’t harmful, but together they could cause health problems if there is long-term exposure. Fortunately for your health, but perhaps unfortunately for your olfactory pleasure, VOCs that create new car smell dissipate over a few months.

We all love that fresh new-car smell, but unfortunately it only lasts for a little while. Here are some tips to keep your car smelling almost as good as new.

Vacuum Regularly:

Vacuuming seats and floor mats removes crumbs, dead skin, pet hair and dander, etc., that combine to create a stale odor in your vehicle.

Avoid smoking in the car:

Smoking in your car will not only cause bad odors, but possibly ruin your car’s upholstery.

Wash the Floor Mats:

Floor mats should be removed and washed with a small amount of dish soap. Rubber mats can be hosed down. Cloth floor mats should be vacuumed, scrubbed with a carpet and upholstery brush, and then rinsed clean with water. Dry floor mats entirely before returning them to the car.

Keep the car dry by not leaving the windows open and using floor mats. Water leaks can cause mildew and mold, which is not only smelly, but bad for your health. In UAE we don’t have this issue.

Clean the Vents:

Use a toothbrush and a car cleaning solution like ArmorAll Multi-Purpose Cleaner to eliminate a mildew-y scent. If the mildew odor persists, replace the cabin air filter. There are good car cleaning products available in Partstore.ae under the section Car Interiors. Click here to navigate.

Use an Odor Eliminator

Activated charcoal is a scent-free odor absorber that will eliminate smells in your car’s interior.

Keep an air freshener in the car at all times.

To be most effective, choose one that neutralizes odors rather than covers them up with a “masking” scent.