That distinctive “new car smell” is often associated with luxury and a fresh purchase. However, this smell, while initially appealing to some, can quickly become overwhelming and even concerning for others. If you’re wondering how to eliminate that new car aroma and create a more pleasant and healthier environment in your vehicle, you’re in the right place.
Is New Car Smell Harmful? Understanding VOCs
The strong odor emanating from a new vehicle isn’t just a mix of pleasant factory scents. It’s primarily caused by Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). These chemicals are released from various materials inside your car, including the carpet, paint, adhesives, leather, rubber, and plastics used in manufacturing. Over time, these VOCs, initially trapped within these materials, undergo a process called off-gassing, releasing into your car’s interior.
While many associate this smell with a brand-new, pristine car, it’s crucial to understand that inhaling these VOCs can be detrimental to your health, especially if you have sensitivities. Reactions can range from mild irritation to more pronounced allergic responses in susceptible individuals.
Research on VOCs in new cars has yielded some varied results over the years, but recent studies reinforce earlier findings about potential health risks. A 1999 study from Scientific Instrument Services identified several VOCs present in new car interiors, such as ethylbenzene, toluene, xylene, styrene, and trimethylbenzene. While a 2007 German study questioned some aspects of these results, a more current study in 2023 has reconfirmed the initial findings, highlighting the potential health concerns linked to VOC exposure.
Interestingly, in some markets like China, car manufacturers are actively working to minimize or eliminate new car smell due to consumer preferences. A J.D. Power press release details how automakers in China are taking steps to reduce VOC emissions and the associated odor to better appeal to buyers.
Effective Methods to Eliminate New Car Smell
While the new car smell naturally dissipates over a few months, especially with regular driving and ventilation, you can expedite the process and actively remove it from your vehicle using these straightforward methods:
1. Remove Protective Plastic Coverings
When you get a new car, you’ll often find plastic films and wraps protecting various interior surfaces like the infotainment screen, center console, and trim pieces. If the dealership hasn’t already removed these during the delivery process, it’s essential to take them off yourself. These plastic coverings, while intended to prevent scratches and damage, can also trap VOCs and other odor-causing compounds, intensifying the new car smell within the cabin. Removing them is a simple first step towards reducing the smell.
2. Thoroughly Wipe Down Interior Surfaces
Even though your car is brand new, cleaning the interior surfaces can significantly help in reducing the new car smell. Use a soft microfiber cloth and a mild, all-purpose cleaner. Spray the cleaner onto the cloth rather than directly onto the car’s surfaces to prevent oversaturation and potential damage, especially to sensitive materials. Carefully wipe down the dashboard, door panels, seats (leather, vinyl, or fabric), steering wheel, and any other hard surfaces. This process helps to physically remove some of the VOC residue that has settled on these surfaces.
3. Utilize Baking Soda for Odor Absorption
Baking soda is a natural and effective odor absorber. You can place open containers of baking soda inside your car to help neutralize and eliminate the new car smell. Pour baking soda into shallow dishes or leave the box open and place them on the floorboards, seats, and even the dashboard (ensure it’s stable and won’t slide). Alternatively, you can sprinkle baking soda directly onto your car’s carpets and fabric upholstery. Let it sit overnight to absorb odors, and then vacuum it thoroughly the next day. Coffee grounds can also be used similarly for odor absorption.
4. Heat Ventilation with Windows Open
Running your car’s heater with the windows down might seem counterintuitive, especially in warm weather, but it’s an effective way to circulate air and expel the new car smell. The heat helps to encourage off-gassing of VOCs from the car’s materials, and with the windows open, these compounds are vented out rather than accumulating inside. Driving around with the heat and windows down for about 30 minutes can accelerate this process.
5. Harness the Power of Sunlight
Parking your car in direct sunlight on a warm or hot day can achieve a similar effect to using the car’s heater. The heat from the sun warms up the car’s interior, promoting the release of VOCs. Make sure to open your car windows while it’s parked in the sun to allow the odors to escape and fresh air to circulate. This is a natural and energy-efficient method to help get rid of the new car smell.
6. Introduce a Car Air Freshener
After employing the methods to remove the source of the new car smell, you can further enhance your car’s interior environment by introducing a pleasant fragrance. Car air fresheners are designed to mask or replace unwanted odors with more desirable scents. Choosing a car air freshener allows you to personalize your car’s aroma and create a more enjoyable driving experience.
Upgrade Your Car’s Scent with Drift Car Fresheners
If you’re looking for a premium alternative to traditional car fresheners, consider Drift. Drift offers a range of sophisticated, sustainably-sourced car fresheners that are pet-friendly, cruelty-free, and vegan. Their signature scents are formulated without harsh chemicals like phthalates, parabens, and formaldehyde. Drift provides various styles to match your preferences, including the Stone car freshener with organic stone, the Wood car freshener crafted from alder wood, and the Metal car freshener built with alloy metal.
Drift’s curated scent collection includes options like:
- Grove: A refreshing citrus blend with notes of blond wood, mountain greens, and vanilla sugar.
- Teak: A rich, amber-infused scent combining teakwood, atlas cedar, and oakmoss for a sophisticated aroma.
- Cabana: Evokes a tropical paradise with a salty ocean breeze and sweet coconut notes.
- Pine: Transports you to a lush forest with a hint of musk for a natural, grounding scent.
- Amber: Captures the clean, fresh scent of sun-warmed air after a rain shower.
Drift scent blocks are designed to release fragrance only when you’re ready. To use, simply open the scent block to allow the essential oils to permeate the core. Then, attach the metal clip to your visor and magnetically secure the scent block for a stylish and effective air freshening solution.
Enjoy a Fresh Scent Beyond the “New Car Smell” with Drift
While the novelty of the new car smell might wear off quickly, and its potential health implications are worth considering, you don’t have to be stuck with it. By using the methods outlined above, you can effectively eliminate the new car smell and create a fresher, healthier environment in your vehicle. And for a lasting, premium scent experience that goes beyond the typical car freshener, explore Drift’s premium car freshener options and consider joining their Scent of the Month Club to continually discover new and appealing car fragrances. If you enjoy Drift, you can even refer a friend and get a free refill!
