Home
|
Money

This Week In Money Banking Budgeting Cash Management College Consumer Protection Credit Cards & Repair

Credit Scores Debt Earning Money Expenses, Family Finances General Advice Houses: Buy/Sell Investments IRA's

Legal Issues Miscellaneous Mortgages Retirement Savings Taxes Working Working Women
|
Food

This Week In Food & Groceries Alternative Food Sources Appliances Babies Beverages Breakfast & Dairy Children & Family Convenience Foods & Alternatives Cooking Cooking Tips Coupons

Diets Food Expenses Food Safety Freezing Foods & Freezer Meals Fruits & Vegetables Health Foods Kitchen Tools & Organization Leftovers Lunches Making the Most of Food Meals & Meal Planning

Meats & Poultry Meals on the Go Organizing Recipes & Coupons Pantry & Food Storage Price Books Recipes Restaurants Saving Time Shopping Tips & Tricks Snacks & Desserts Warehouse Clubs
|
Home & Auto

This Week In Home & Auto Air Conditioning Appliances Automobiles Buying Cleaning Consumer Protection Crafts Debt

Energy Finances Furniture Gardening Home Decorating Home Equity Home Repair Houses: Buy/Sell Insurance Investments Mortgages

Natural Living Organization Pests Plumbing Property Management Recycling Space Management Taxes Time Management Utilities
|
Lifestyle

This Week In Lifestyle Beauty Buying Canadian Interest Charity Christmas Cleaning Tips Clothing College Coupons Crafts

Furniture Gardening General Advice Groceries & Food Health Hobbies Holidays Home Decorating Insurance Medical Care Miscellaneous Natural Living

Organization Parties & Entertaining Pets Recipes Recycling Refunding Single Living Space Management Time Management Vacations Voluntary Simplicity
|
Baby Boomers

This Week In Baby Boomers Finances Funerals Health

Insurance Investments IRA's Legal Issues Medical Care

Mortgages Moving Retirement Savings Taxes Vacations
|
Family

This Week In Family Automobiles Babies Budgeting Cash Management Children Christmas Clothing College Crafts Daycare Debt

Dentistry Divorce Earning Money Education Expenses Family Activities Gardening Health Holidays Homeschooling Investments Marriage Medical Care

Miscellaneous One Income Families Organization Parties & Entertaining Recipes Romance Savings School Single Parents Taxes Time Management Vacations
|
20 Somethings

This Week In 20 Somethings Appliances Automobiles Budgeting College Consumer Protection Credit Cards and Repair Credit Scores Credit Unions

Earning Money Education Family Activities Finances General Advice Home Decorating Home Equity Home Repair Homeschooling Houses: Buy/Sell Insurance

Investments IRA's Marriage Mortgages Moving Retirement Savings Space Management Taxes Weddings Working
|
In Critical Condition

This Week In Critical Condition Automobiles Banking

Budgeting Consumer Protection Credit Cards and Repair

Credit Scores Debt Emergencies Taxes Working
|

How to remove nasty odors from your car

Removing Odors in Your Car

Eliminating Gasoline Smells

Removing Smoke Odors

Eliminating Fuel Smells from Laundry

Removing Odors

We bought a 2003 Toyota Camry the end of November with fabric seats. The dealer detailed the car to make it smell nice. However, the smell is still horrible and makes my eyes burn and nose run. The dealer swore it would disappear very soon once the car was aired out.

Being sensitive to all chemicals and perfume type products, I have not been able to sit or drive in the car, so hubby takes it instead. Although it's freezing in NY right now, my hubby drives with the windows open whenever possible. When he comes home, we leave the windows open every afternoon/evening until we go to bed. We placed a small pan with baking soda on the floor in back to absorb the odors, but to no avail. The chemical and perfume smells that were sprayed when the car was detailed still persist almost two months later. It just does not get better. What can I do to get the smell and chemicals out of the fabric seats, rug, upholstered sides and roof of car?
Renee T.

Removing Odor Source from Car

When that happened to us, it took us a while to find them, but they had small cardboard pieces soaked in scent that had been hidden throughout the car. They were placed strategically so they are hard to find.
Sara

Charcoal Removes Odors from Car

Have you tried placing a shallow pan or box underneath the seat with charcoal briquets in it? Activated charcoal pulls odors out of a lot of things. This would be a relatively inexpensive fix if it can handle the strong odors you mention.
Kristi

Use Volcanic Rock to Remove Odors

Home Depot and Lowes (and probably other stores) sell these little mesh bags of Volcanic Rock (or so it's called) that are supposed to absorb odors. It worked with a musty odor for me. It's worth a try.
Deb

Coffee Great at Removing Car Odors

Perhaps you can try coffee grounds to aid in removing those odors. I found that putting coffee grounds in our refrigerators when we move made a huge difference in keeping "spoiled food" odors at bay. Since you're so sensitive to the chemicals the dealer used, put about a pound of cheap coffee (store brand is fine) in panty hose, tie the hose in a knot and put the grounds into a plastic throwaway type bowl in the floorboard of the back seating area. Change the grounds out about once a week; hopefully, you'll notice a big difference in just a couple of weeks. Since the odors are so strong, you might want to put a pound of grounds in the front floorboard, as well.
Tracy S.

Ionizer Removes Odors

Did you buy the car from a dealer? If so, take it back and have them plug in an ionizer for 24 hour. It even gets rid of cigarette smoke.
J

Using Baking Soda to Remove Odor

Instead of using a pan of baking soda, sprinkle the carpet and the upholstery with a generous amount of baking soda (make sure the material is dry). Gently brush it all over to attain full coverage. Let it stand for a few hours to absorb the offending odor and then vacuum it all up. I have used this method in both my vehicle and my house.
Robert in Zelienople, PA

Removing Odors With Vinegar

I have had that problem too. Place one or two bowls of white vinegar in the car for a day or two (while it is parked). Vinegar removes odors. I use it in my house to remove cooking odors and my husband's cigarette smoke. It worked in a smelly car I had a few years back.
Carolyn

Removing Source From Car

I also have a problem with perfumes and deodorizers. When my husband had his truck detailed, it came back smelling toxic to me, but it did not bother him. The smell did not go away and some days were worse.

One day I discovered the culprit under the seat. It was an odor strip that they left in the car. After this was removed the stench/smell went away. And he now requests the detailers not use their deodorizers when he has his truck cleaned inside. At least now I know what to look for to remove the smell if they forget.
Debra

Newspaper Acts as Odor Remover

To remove odors from your car, crumple newspaper and leave in the car. Also, put a bag of plain charcoal briquets in the car to absorb orders. Do not use the kind with lighter fluid on the briquets.
Paula

Take the Next Step

Pick 1 or 2 of these great tips and use them today!
Check your car for the fragrance strips.
Reduce the cost of your gasoline with a "gas card." You can compare them here.
Click here and tell us your suggestions on eliminating odors in your car. We'd all benefit from hearing your great ideas, so don't be shy!

Stay Connected with TDS

Subscribe to TDS Newsletters

Join over 250,000 other subscribers!

To subscribe, check the newsletters you wish to receive, enter your email address and then click Subscribe.

View the TDS privacy policy.

Looking for an answer to a frugal living question? Click here to ask a
Dollar Stretcher Stretchpert!

Contact the Dollar Stretcher at:
Dollar Stretcher
PO Box 14160
Bradenton FL 34280
941-761-7805

"The Dollar Stretcher, Inc." does not assume responsibility for advice given. All advice should be weighed against your own abilities and circumstances and applied accordingly. It is up to the reader to determine if advice is safe and suitable for their own situation.