How can I Remove Smells From my Car’s Upholstery?
You love your pets and you love your kids. Your cute, furry Golden Doodle Milo and your rambunctious three year old Brexley (because we live in Utah) go with you everywhere. But what do these two things have in common with your car? Smells. Lots of smells. But you can’t really have a car free of odor and cart Milo and Brexley around town without some major sacrifices, right? Wrong! And if you’ve asked yourself “How can I remove smells from my car’s upholstery?”, you’ve come to the right place. With over 25 years of experience, we’ll tell you the most effective ways to get pet or kid smells out of your car, truck, or SUV. We aren’t here to give you copy and paste answers. Just the raw truth on how to actually remove that stubborn smell from Milo’s vomit and Brexley’s two week old soggy crackers from your trip to Arches in September.
Are Smells Dangerous?
The short answer is yes and no. Typically, unpleasant smells aren’t going to be great for you. And in truth, your vehicle’s interior is covered in bacteria. A study done in 2013 outlined what this looks like and the potential negative effects the bacteria found in a vehicle can have on our health. Unfortunately, the findings weren’t good–funky smells in your car likely mean you have some form of harmful bacteria growing. And even if you don’t have smells, the bacteria could very well be present. But, we’re not here to scare you, just help you!
Where do I Start?
It can be daunting when you’re wondering how to remove pet or kid smells from your car’s upholstery, and, as previously mentioned, decontaminating surfaces. Take a deep breath, and remember that this isn’t going to be a quick process. And that’s ok! So, start now and commit to regular maintenance by a professional detailer! They have the tools and chemicals to ensure your vehicle is free of smells and bacteria. But what if you can’t afford a professional detailer? Here are a handful of ways to get started.
Methods to Remove Smell and Bacteria
Vacuum/Isopropyl Alcohol: You’ll need to start by removing the culprit. Vacuum out all food, crumbs, or anything from your vehicle. Once it’s all out, take full-strength isopropyl alcohol that you can easily buy at the grocery store and put it in a spray bottle. If you’re sensitive to the smell, use a mask. Spray down all porous surfaces. Make sure to get enough of the solution on the surface to cover it. For carpets, do not soak them, but ensure they are properly damp. Don’t forget the headliner, carpeted floor mats, and seat cushions. Once everything is sprayed down, shut all the doors and let it sit for 2-3 hours. Then, open all the doors and let it completely dry out.
Lysol: We recommend following up the alcohol treatment with a hefty spray of Lysol on the interior to kill any remaining bacteria. You can close the doors and let it dwell and then air it out the same way as the alcohol. Don’t forget to go in with an all purpose cleaner after and wipe down surfaces so they aren’t sticky.
Chlorine Dioxide: This treatment system is one you’ll need to read instructions very carefully as it can be hazardous. However, it is entirely safe to do when carried out properly. If you’re truly too nervous to give it a go, you can schedule with your professional detailers to have it administered. In short, this is the most effective way to eliminate odors and kill all forms of bacteria living in your vehicle.
So, whether you’ve got funky smells from something that just spilled in the back seat or it’s culmination of many things over the last year, removing smells isn’t so hard to do. It might take a couple treatments to destroy the smell, though. However, treatments like chlorine dioxide are the most effective and almost guarantee success if the other options aren’t working great for you. Either way, we’ve got you covered. And if you need a step-by-step guide and help, you can easily call the Doctors at drcleandetail.com where they offer free demos and advice to ensure you’re taken care of!