Let’s face it! The majority of us live in our cars. From eating and drinking there to bringing our pets along for a ride. Through this glorious mix of people, animals, food and drink, both spills and their accompanying smells are bound to happen. And there’s nothing quite so unpleasant as driving around while inhaling a bad odour and/or sitting on stains.
Tips to Avoid Spills and Odours in Your Car
The best way to stop spills and odours from happening is to simply not eat or drink in your car. While hygienic and , taking such measures can definitely make driving and car rides less enjoyable for all concerned. So what else can you do to eliminate odours and stains?
Alternative ways of eliminating odours and stains
Make it a habit to remove trash: Do clean-ups of rubbish, leftover food or drink and containers that has accumulated on the seats and floor regularly, ideally every night when you return home. While you are doing this, don’t forget to check hard to reach places (between and under seats) as well as the boot and the car’s various compartments.
Weekly vacuums: On a weekly basis, wipe down and vacuum your car’s interior, paying particular attention to floor mats, air vents, seat belts and buckles and between seats. This will prevent buildups of dirt, dust and crumbs from getting into the car’s fabric, which creates odours. Be careful when taking this on yourself as the wrong products and techniques can, in some cases, actually set the stains and odours in more deeply.
Don’t forget about shampoos and air fresheners: If you have started cleaning regularly but your upholstery and mats have already absorbed stains and odours, don’t neglect them. Use a shampoo that you can rub onto the fabric in order to eliminate the smells and reduce the stains. For extra benefit, make sure to also invest in a pleasant air freshener that you can use in your car.
Quick Tip: Due to the small space of cars and lack of air flow, it is much better to purchase a lighter scent. Though stronger fresheners may seem like a good idea in-store, after a few days, it will become nauseating. Your goal is to keep your car fresh and homely, not turn it into a flower garden.