Q&A for How to Remove Odors from Your Car

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Question

What is the best odor eliminator for cars?

Chad Zani
Auto Detailing Expert
Chad Zani is an Auto Detailing Expert based in Los Angeles, California. He is the Director of Franchising at Detail Garage, an automotive detailing company with locations around the U.S. and Sweden. He and his team are auto detailing experts that offer detailing and car care services.

Chad Zani

Auto Detailing Expert

Expert Answer

Spray a scented antibacterial disinfectant into your car's air conditioning vents. Bacteria often build up inside them but people often forget to clean there.

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Question

What can be used to clean the stain in the trunk of my cream colored SUV? The interior color is cream which makes it difficult to keep clean.

Inga Aksamit
Travel Journalist
Inga Aksamit is a travel writer, photographer, author, and outdoor educator with more than 10 years of experience. She has published two books and has written in extensive magazines. She is a member of the Bay Area Travel Writers and the Redwood Writers, writing organizations based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Inga Aksamit

Travel Journalist

Expert Answer

Sprinkling the stain with baking soda shouldn't change the color. If you do use an all-purpose cleaner, make sure to use a clear one. Most rug shampoos won't harm the cream color, either.

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Question

How do I get rid of a damp smell in my car?

Community Answer

A damp smell is often caused by mildew. You should try a chlorine dioxide-based product to destroy the mildew spores and eliminate the smell.

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Question

How do I remove the odor of a spray that was used to cover up an odor?

Community Answer

Use an odor neutralizing spray rather than a scented one. Walgreens carries one in a white bottle called Ozium that has a neutral scent.

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Question

I cleaned my car carpet with car carpet spray, and now my car smells like chemicals. How do I get rid of the smell?

Community Answer

Go over the carpet again, but only with water. When it is dry, sprinkle baking soda all over the area, leave it for a few hours or longer, then vacuum.

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Question

How do I get rid of rotten meat juice that spilled in the car?

Community Answer

You should try a chlorine dioxide based product such as AirVidox. It will remove the smell within 4 hours permanently. Just google 'AirVidox'.

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Question

My car is a 2006 and it has a musty old smell. It's been detailed, but the odor comes back, what should I do?

Community Answer

Take it to a professional, or shampoo carpet and upholstery. Another thing you can try is getting an air purifier that you can stick in the cigarette lighter.

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Question

How to get rid of a diarrhea smell in fabric car seats?

Community Answer

Get yourself an enzyme cleaner for pet messes. Use it as directed as many times as necessary.

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Question

What's the simplest way to get rid of a gas smell if you don't have time to clean?

Community Answer

In order to remove an odor permanently, you have to clean what is causing it, once you've done that, you will be okay. Until then, you could use products to cover up the smell.

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Question

Is the chlorine dioxide safe if mothballs are the cause of the odor?

ConnorFisher

Community Answer

Instead of using chlorine dioxide or another type of bleach, use an ordinary all-purpose cleaner or a 1:1 mixture of water and vinegar. Make sure to remove all of the moth balls from your car, too.

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Question

I have an ozone generator. Will that get rid of gasoline smell on upholstery?

ConnorFisher

Community Answer

Before using an ozone generator to remove smells from the vehicle, take it to a professional cleaner. They'll be able to advise you about how to completely remove the gasoline smell without potentially damaging your vehicle's interior.

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Question

I have a smell in my car that I can't find the source of. What do I do?

Calvin Fuss

Community Answer

Use a chlorine dioxide based product. It releases a gas that will remove any odors within your car. A popular product in the UK and USA is AirVidox. Just search for it on Google or Amazon.

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Question

How can I remove a milk odor from my car?

Community Answer

Follow the instructions listed in the article above.

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Question

How can I remove a floral scent in my air system that gives me a headache?

Community Answer

Get a plain odor neutralizer from a drugstore or smoke shop. Also, try leaving the windows open as much as you can (when in a safe area).

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