The enclosed cabin of your car can be the perfect environment for lingering odours caused by dropped food, spilled drinks and other items hiding deep under your car’s seats or elsewhere in the car’s interior.
Unlike in your home, the odours that come from spills in your car can be notoriously difficult to remove due a car’s interior having plenty of hard-to-reach places.
Acting quickly to clean up any mess can help prevent odours from developing but sometimes you need a little help.
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What could the odour be?
Common causes of car odour include spilled liquids, food crumbs, pet hair and mouldy food.
If you struggle to identify the odour, the smell could be coming from mould and mildew on carpet and upholstery. This is particularly common in older vehicles, which may have poor weather sealing which can let water in. Of course, mould can also occur if you’ve left your windows open during heavy rain and created a damp environment in which mould can grow.
Before attempting to reduce the smell of mould or mildew, use gloves, a mixture of four-parts water, one-part white vinegar, and a scouring pad or brush to remove all fungus growth.
Another odour that is difficult to remove from a car is cigarette smoke. If you’ve bought a used car with a lingering smoke smell, try leaving a bowl of coffee grounds, citrus peel or cinnamon sticks in your car overnight to help mask the smell. Do this before vacuuming your car, and repeat at the end of the process if required.
You could also be having smelly air pumped into your car’s interior thanks to a dirty cabin air filter. An automotive workshop can change this for you, but if you’re feeling confident, you can purchase the appropriate filter for your car and do it yourself, which can save some money.
Step one: Vacuum all car surfaces
Most odours will be trapped in your car’s fabric or upholstery. Start your deep clean with a thorough vacuum, using attachments to reach crevices like door panels and cupholders. If your vacuum head or attachment won’t reach, use a damp cloth to clean your centre console and anywhere else where dirt, crumbs or dust can easily accumulate.
For extreme stains and smells, consider steam cleaning your upholstery after vacuuming. You can hire a DIY steam carpet cleaner from a local hardware store – just make sure it has an upholstery wand tool suitable for car cleaning. It will usually set you back about $45, with a hire deposit close to $100. Alternatively, many car washes will offer this service if you’d rather have it professionally steam cleaned.
Stubborn stains
If a vacuum cleaner doesn’t remove any caked-on residue, use a stiff brush to rub the stain and loosen the material. Once it has lifted, it will be easier to vacuum. Alternatively, dedicated car upholstery foam with a brush incorporated on the can is available from auto parts stores.
Step two: Powders, vinegar and other solutions
Baking soda
Baking soda is a pH neutraliser, and as most smells are acidic, the soda can work as a natural odour suppressant. For the most effective result, leave a small dish of baking soda in your car overnight. It will work to absorb unpleasant smells.
Alternatively, sprinkle a small handful of baking soda over the most affected area, rub it in, and let it sit for a few hours. This can help absorb any spilled liquids and remove smells in the process. Vacuum it away afterwards.
White vinegar
The acidic nature of vinegar makes it an extremely effective natural cleaning product. It’s strong enough to dissolve dirt and grime that could be the source of strong odours in your car.
Mix one-part white vinegar with two-parts water in a spray bottle, then spray the solution onto the seats and throughout your boot. Alternatively you can spray the solution onto a cloth and gently apply onto your seats. Repeat until the odour is gone.
A subtle vinegar scent may linger for a couple of days, but it will go away naturally.
Mild detergent
If the smell still lingers, use a mild car detergent made of natural substances (you’ll find these at most auto shops). Use a spray bottle to apply, leave it to sit for a few hours, then wipe clean with a microfibre cloth.
Step three: Prevention
After you’ve eliminated the cause of the odour, air out your car in case any scents are lingering. Only do this if your car is kept in a secure location, such as a locked garage. Lower all four windows and open the boot, leaving it this way for a few hours. After this, keep an air freshener in your car to keep it smelling pleasant.
Another useful tool is an air conditioning odour eliminator. It comes in an aerosol form, and can be sprayed into your car’s air vents to introduce a pleasant smell each time you use your air con. Note this may be a temporary or less effective solution if the cabin air filter needs to be replaced.
Ready to give your car a refresh?
RAC members save up to 20% on a range of car cleaning products from Repco.
Last updated: January 2022
