We would all love to keep the new car smell forever, won’t we? Sadly, a funky-smelling car is a reality that you will have to contend with at some point in your life whether you own a new car or a used car. Any strange odor in the car can not only be distracting, it may also indicate something is wrong with the car. On the other hand, if you are thinking of putting up your used car for sale in Dubai, UAE, a clean and odor-free interior is again important. That’s why CarSwitch brings you ways to remove common car odors, making your car ride that much sweeter. Take a look!
- Play Detective: Try to figure out the source of the smell first. Check pockets, glove compartment, on floor mats, under the seats, between the seat crevices. Things like moldy fruit, unidentified blobs, or a baby bottle could be the source of the lingering odor. A car in need of an oil change or an overheated car may also smell.
- Pull out That Weapon: The car vacuum is the best weapon to combat a dirty car. Work the vacuum all around the seats and down into the crevices with the upholstery attachment in place. If this doesn’t take care of the smell, try steam cleaning the upholstery and mats. If you have cloth seats, you can clean them thoroughly using these few simple tips.
- Smoke Everywhere: Remember to empty the ashtrays regularly if you smoke or have a passenger who is a smoker. Smoke has a way of getting everywhere including the vents and it leaves behind a sticky tar residue on the interior surfaces. Use a water and vinegar solution with a little bit of dish soap to wipe down the interior. Open the windows and doors to air things out every once in awhile, and spray a car deodorizer to entirely remove the cigarette smell from your car.
- Carsickness Tragedy: If you drive around small children or pets, chances are they might have had an accident or a carsick moment on the upholstery. Even if they are wiped off right away, a bad smell may linger making a deeper cleaning necessary. Use a 50/50 water, vinegar solution to rehydrate a dried spot and remove that with the vacuum or sprinkle the area with baking soda to help absorb the odor.
- Bid Adieu to Mildew: You must be familiar with this smell if you have ever overlooked a partially open car window during a rainstorm in the UAE. Mildew is one of the top sources for an unwelcome car odor, but luckily it is pretty straightforward to deal with. Use a wet/dry vacuum or even a hair dryer to completely dry off the upholstery and carpets. Sometimes a small leak or a problem in the air conditioner system may be the cause of the odor. Check for damp floor mats near the AC, clean and dry the filter and mats to get rid of the smell.
If you are looking to buy a second-hand car that is well-maintained and odor-free, check out these cool sedans, coupes and SUVs among used cars for sale in Dubai, UAE. Good luck tackling the odor and happy ‘switching!
