How to Get Rid of Car Smells: 10 Fixes to Try

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To get rid of a car smell, find the source, clean it out, dry everything, and then absorb whatever’s left. Air fresheners only cover the problem.

Work through these roughly in order, and start with number 1, because some smells aren’t cleaning problems at all.

1. Rule out a mechanical problem

Before you clean anything, make sure the smell isn’t your car asking for help.

• Sweet, like maple syrup: likely a coolant leak. Watch the temperature gauge, and if it’s high or climbing, pull over and let the engine cool.
• Gasoline: possibly a fuel leak or a bad gas cap. A fuel leak can be a fire risk, so get it checked promptly.
• Rotten eggs: often an exhaust or catalytic converter problem.
• Burning rubber or oil: possibly belts, hoses, a worn clutch, or an oil leak.
• Exhaust fumes inside the car: a possible carbon monoxide risk. Stop driving and call a tow truck.

No cleaner fixes these. See a mechanic.

2. Hunt down the source

Most mystery smells have a physical cause you can pick up and throw away. Check under the seats and floor mats, in seatback pockets, in door bins, in the glove box, and in the trunk. Forgotten food and spilled drinks hide very well.

3. Air it out and dry it

Moisture keeps smells alive. Open all the doors on a dry day and let the car breathe.

If the carpet or seats feel damp, pull the water out with a wet/dry vacuum. Nothing else on this list will work well on a wet interior, so do this before moving on. Damp carpet you can’t explain may mean a leak or a clogged drain, which needs fixing too.

4. Clean spills properly

If something spilled, it needs to be cleaned, not just sprayed. Get to it as soon as you can, using products made for car interiors. Read the labels so you don’t damage touchscreens, leather, or fabric.

For smells on hard surfaces, you can wipe panels with a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water, then wipe them dry. Try it on a hidden spot first. Don’t combine vinegar with bleach or any other cleaner.

5. Use an enzyme cleaner on pet and body messes

Pet accidents and vomit are organic, so regular cleaners tend to leave the smell behind. Enzymatic cleaners are designed to break down that material, and animal welfare groups including the ASPCA recommend them for pet odors.

Blot first, don’t rub, and test a hidden spot. Follow the label, and don’t use ammonia-based cleaners on these messes, since urine contains ammonia and they can draw a pet back. The air fresheners page explains the difference between real odor eliminators and scent, or you can search for an enzyme odor cleaner.

For a sick passenger, start with how to clean vomit out of a car. Wear gloves and eye protection, since vomit can carry bacteria and viruses.

6. Sprinkle baking soda on carpets and cloth

Baking soda is cheap and easy. On a dry interior, sprinkle it over carpet, cloth seats, and mats, leave it for at least a couple of hours, then vacuum it up thoroughly. For a stubborn smell, leave it longer, up to about a day.

Skip this on anything damp, since you’ll just make paste.

7. Leave out activated charcoal

Activated charcoal traps odor molecules on its porous surface instead of masking them. Put a few bags or containers around the cabin and trunk and leave them overnight or longer. Activated charcoal bags are an easy way to do this.

Think of it as a finishing step. It helps with what’s left in the air after cleaning, but it won’t fix a soaked carpet or a smell deep in the vents.

8. Fix a musty A/C

A musty, moldy, or sour smell often traces back to a dirty cabin air filter, so start with replacing the cabin air filter. Your owner’s manual gives the interval.

If that doesn’t do it, the likely cause is moisture on the evaporator, where bacteria and mold can grow. Consumer Reports describes spraying a disinfectant into the air intake at the base of the windshield, with the cabin filter removed, the fan on low, and the windows open. Use a product labeled for car A/C systems and follow its directions.

To prevent a repeat, turn off the A/C and let the fan run for a few minutes before you park. If you find mold on the carpet or seats, stop and read how to get mold out of a car, because that needs a mask and more care. If the smell stays, have a shop check for a clogged drain or water buildup.

9. Go after smoke everywhere it landed

Smoke is the hardest smell on this list, so be realistic. The residue settles into upholstery, floor mats, and the ceiling liner, and the Thirdhand Smoke Resource Center says it’s virtually impossible to fully remove once embedded.

You can still reduce it:

• Empty and clean the ashtray
• Vacuum everything, then wipe every hard surface
• Replace the cabin air filter, since a smoky one keeps sending the smell back
• Clean the headliner, gently. Smoke rises, and too much moisture can make it sag. See how to clean a car headliner
• Finish with baking soda and charcoal

Fragrances won’t help here. They only sit on top of the smell.

10. Be very careful with ozone

Some detailers use ozone generators on tough smells, and you’ll see them for sale online. Think twice.

The EPA warns that inhaled ozone can damage the lungs and worsen asthma, and it says ozone at levels within public health standards isn’t effective at removing many odor-causing chemicals. No federal agency has approved these devices for occupied spaces.

Never run an ozone generator with people or pets in the car. If a shop recommends one, the car must be empty during treatment and fully aired out before anyone gets back in. Ask how they handle that first.

If you’ve tried all of this and the smell won’t budge, a detailer can do a deep clean with extraction equipment. Find one in the directory.