How to Avoid that New Car Smell

Getting a brand new vehicle is incredible, but the synthetic “new car scent” can get annoying. This odor can be bothersome and can also be bad for your health as it is often a byproduct of the noxious plastic covers and automobile polish that make your vehicle look shiny and new. Get rid of the odor by first lifting off all the plastic covers inside the car and leaving the windows open so the car can get fresh air. Use baking soda to soak up the smell, as well as air fresheners to make the odor in your car more pleasant.

Interior plastic coverings are full of chemicals and are the primary source of the new car smell. The plastic should be removed from the following areas of the car:

  • Seat covers
  • The plastic around the dashboard and cup holders
  • The lining on the interior doors of the automobile

If weather allows for it, keep the windows open to let the chemicals escape and allow the fresh air to enter the interior of the car. It's also wise to park your car outside if you can. Exterior car polish and window cleaner is also responsible for the new car smell. The scent of the exterior can air out in the open air. Park your vehicle outside if possible. Even if you don’t feel safe leaving your car’s windows open overnight, try to park your automobile outside when you’re not driving it. Leaving your car out in the open air helps to air out the scent of the exterior. Keeping your automobile in the hot sun with the windows cracked is also a right way of “baking”  the pesky odor.

Put baking soda in an open bowl to soak up the scent. Place it in an area where it won't get knocked over and keep it there for about a day. Masking the smell with air fresheners can also help cover the odor. You can hang an air freshener on the rearview mirror or spray the interior with a pleasant scent. An industrial strength odor eliminator will be more effective than merely masking the smell. You can find these at most auto repair shops.

The team at Westside Transmission & Automotive is happy to give you more new car smell odor eliminating suggestions or help you with other auto repair inquiries. To schedule an appointment at Westside Transmission & Automotive, contact us. We are located at 2050 Cotner Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90025.

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