Car Interior Deodorizing

Has your vehicle become a second family room? That is, are you surprised what you find wedged between the seats or lying underneath the floormats? You know ... mashed fries, cookie crumbs, or a funky, multicolored object that you can't identify but might qualify as a biohazard. The problem is, even when you get rid of this crud and various other stains, their odors may linger. Here are a few tips for clearing the air.

Step 1: Vacuum Even when you get rid of this crud, their odors may linger.
After you've removed all of the large debris (hopefully it didn't require thick rubber gloves), evaluate the condition of your interior. Is it primarily dusty with a spot or two in the carpet, or are food stains, pet odors and ground-in dirt besmirching your upholstery and carpet? Whatever the level of grime, start with a good vacuuming from the top down. Attach the soft brush and start with the dash, headliner, gauges and console. You want to use a gentle stroking motion with the brush to loosen and suck up surface dirt. If the headliner is really grubby, be careful about what chemicals you put on it. Adhesives do not react well to cleaners and the last thing you want is a drooping headliner. To get in the nooks and crannies in and around the seats (where those stale chunks of Krispy Kremes like to hide), the needle-nosed crevice tool should give you enough reach.

Step 2: Scrub
Of course, vacuuming won't clean out those black holes of your car's interior, the cupholders. If you're like most people on the go, they get as much muck on them as your tires. Since most of us drink coffee or sodas while driving, cupholders accumulate a sticky residue that not only could keep those heat-shielding tiles attached to the space shuttle, but also can emanate some strong smells. To cut through this beverage sludge, spray the cupholder with a kitchen or plastic cleaner and allow the mixture to soak in before wiping with a terry cloth towel. Depending on how gooey the holders are, you may have to give them another round of cleaning (and maybe even yet another, if yours look like ours). Some cupholders can even be removed and run through the dishwasher.

Step 3: Deodorize
When odors linger after a thorough cleaning, the easy solution is to simply hang one of those scented cardboard Christmas trees from the rearview mirror (or throw a perfumed dryer sheet under the seat). That looks a bit tacky, though, and doesn't really solve the problem. It only masks the source of the odor.


Getting to the source of the stink, especially if it's embedded in the carpet, can be a tough job. If it's just a small spill on the upholstery, certain products on the market that are designed to get odors out of clothing may take care of it. Before applying a deodorizer, though, first clean the area with a car upholstery product (or spray-on carpet cleaner). To make sure it doesn't alter a fabric's color or texture, test a small, inconspicuous spot, even if the label says it won't harm the upholstery.