How to Get Rid of Car Odors That Keep Coming Back

Nothing ruins a clean car faster than a lingering smell. Whether it’s smoke, fast food, pets, gym gear—or something worse—some odors just won’t go away no matter how many times you clean.

If you’ve tried sprays, air fresheners, or just cracking the windows, you’ve probably noticed: the smell always comes back.

Here’s how to actually eliminate car odors at the source—and keep them from returning.

Step 1: Remove the Source (Yes, Even the Hidden Stuff)

Pull the seats forward and back—check underneath for old food or trash
Check the spare tire area and trunk
Remove all floor mats for separate cleaning
Empty door pockets, cup holders, and storage compartments

Odors usually come from a combination of leftover gunk, spilled liquids, or bacteria in soft surfaces like carpet and seats.

Step 2: Clean with an All-Surface Interior Cleaner

Use a product like Complete Cabin Cleaner that’s safe for:

Fabric & upholstery
Leather & vinyl
Rubber floor mats
Touchscreens and interior plastics

Spray onto a microfiber towel or directly on the surface, and wipe thoroughly. For stubborn areas, use a Scrub Buddy Pad to agitate dirt and oils from the material.

Step 3: Focus on High-Odor Zones

Seats and seat belts: They absorb body odors, food, smoke
Headliner: Often missed but soaks in smoke and moisture
AC vents: Spray cleaner onto a towel and wipe the vent covers—don’t spray into vents directly
Carpets: Spot clean, then vacuum thoroughly

Step 4: Use Steam or Enzyme Cleaners (Optional but Effective)

If the odor is still strong, try one of the following:

Steam: Helps kill bacteria and loosen deep-set grime in fabric and vents
Enzyme-based odor eliminators: Especially useful for smoke, urine, or mold-related odors

Let the car air out after any deep cleaning pass. Open doors and let fresh air circulate for at least 30 minutes.

Step 5: Protect and Maintain

Reapply Complete Cabin Cleaner every few weeks to keep bacteria and grime from building up again
Keep a microfiber towel in the glovebox to quickly wipe spills before they soak in
Vacuum regularly—especially under the seats

What About Air Fresheners?

Air fresheners just mask the smell—they don’t fix it. If you want to add scent, do it after the odor is gone using a light mist or vent clip. Less is more.

Watch our complete interior detailing guide:

Most car odors don’t come back because your cleaning failed—they come back because the source wasn’t fully removed.

Use the right product, get into the right areas, and treat the problem—not the symptoms.

🧼 Products Featured in This Post:

Complete Cabin Cleaner – Interior-safe odor-eliminating cleaner
Scrub Buddy Pad – For deep cleaning interior plastics and carpets
Everyday Microfiber Towels – Gentle, effective wipe-down towels

Get the smell out—and keep it out.