Remove bad odors from the car - how to do it right?

A bad smelling interior in the car is an annoying evil. It is not only unpleasant with every car ride, but additionally harms our health. How do these unpleasant odors arise and how can they be removed from the car in the long term? In this article, we will give you tips on how to quickly and effectively remove odors from the car and how to prevent new odors in the long term.

What causes bad odors in the car?

The most common and easiest cause of bad odors in the interior is rotten food or liquids. Spilled drinks are especially bad. Bacteria, fungi and mold quickly produce musty odors that cannot be eliminated by airing alone. Cigarette smoke can also linger stubbornly as it settles into the upholstery and plastic parts.

A not so obvious cause of unpleasant odor is the cabin filter. Over time, dust, leaves or other dirt settle in the filter and block air circulation. No more fresh air gets inside the vehicle. This promotes musty odors in the car. Also, the air conditioner can start to smell if it is not regularly maintained.

Another reason could also be too much humidity in the car. Defective or porous seals allow moisture to enter the interior, causing a musty smell in the long term.

You want to quickly remove these odors from the car. Many try it first with household remedies, but they often only help to a limited extent. Quickly, the nasty smell returns. Also the use of scent sprays or scent trees is generally no lasting help. It only masks the smell rather than removing it from the car. The better way is to fight the cause.

How can I remove unpleasant odors from the car

Tip 1: Basic cleaning of the interior
To be able to remove unpleasant odors from the car in the long term, there is no way around an interior cleaning. It is best to carry out a large-scale basic cleaning and use suitable interior cleaner for the plastic parts in the interior. For the seat upholstery, car mats and carpets, we recommend using textile cleaners. Work here additionally with enough water and let the interior dry long enough. Replace old and worn car mats from time to time and give your car a fresh look. If very stubborn odors cannot be removed from the car, call in a professional. Special ozone cleaning will permanently combat bacteria, fungi and mold.

Go to the car mat assortment

Tip 2: Change cabin air filter
Replace the cabin air filter at regular intervals We advise an annual interval to have constantly fresh and filtered air in the cabin. The easiest way is to include it in every inspection. This way you prevent and do not have to remove odors from the car later. Contact our customer support if you are unsure about choosing the right cabin air filter.

Go to the cabin filter range

Tip 3: Maintenance of the air conditioner
If an unpleasant smell arises when the air conditioner is switched on, it is time for air conditioning cleaning and maintenance. Here you can use special air conditioning cleaners. First, there are cleaners that disinfect and freshen the interior and air ducts through spray. The second option is foam cleaners that are sprayed directly into the air ducts and thus also disinfect the air conditioning evaporator. In addition, the air conditioning fluid must be replaced at certain intervals to ensure proper operation. An additional tip: Turn off the air conditioner a few minutes before the end of the trip and turn on the ventilation. This will prevent too much condensation from accumulating on the air conditioner's evaporator and minimize moisture buildup.

Tip 4: Minimize interior moisture
Maintain all seals in your car and replace defective or porous seals as needed. Avoid a lot of moisture in the car. We explain exactly how to do this in the blog article "Moisture in the car – 6 tips that really help?"

Tip 5: Remove smoke odor from the car
If you have a slight nicotine smell, a basic cleaning is also advisable to achieve long-term results. Special odor removers, such as SONAX SmokeEx, also help. In addition, you can put a small bowl of coffee powder or vinegar in the interior overnight to remove the smell of smoke from the car. It is important to remove the bowl from the vehicle afterwards, as the oils in the coffee powder will also stink after a while and spread an unpleasant odor. Stubborn smoke odor is very difficult to remove. Here, there is no way around a professional basic cleaning at a car valet.

Removing unpleasant odors from your car doesn't have to be difficult if you follow this advice. Regular cleaning and maintenance will save you a lot of hassle, and you'll enjoy pleasant car rides every time!