OT: car air freshener

p nut · #1 11-04-2020, 11:53 AM

Looking for nicer air fresheners than the crappy trees and the air vent ones that always seem to fall out.

The truck smells funky after couple years of hauling sweaty people after rides and runs. I’m sure some of you can relate.

Any long-lasting, fresh-smelling, quality-made air fresheners recommended?

ColonelJLloyd · #2 11-04-2020, 12:09 PM

I do not like perfumes. I can't deal with fragrance in soaps, detergents, etc. But, if you like them that's great. First, though, I would stop by an auto detailing shop and ask to buy a can of the "bombs" they use. These are the ones where you roll the windows up and set the can off in the floorboard and then don't open the doors for some time. Running the fan may be part of it too.

Dakota Odor Bomb is one I have used before. I have one from Meguiar's on the shelf in my basement; haven't used it yet.

scoobydrew · #3 11-04-2020, 12:14 PM

Air Spencer CS-X3 "squash" air freshener.

dem · #4 11-04-2020, 12:15 PM

First step would be to not let stinky people keep sitting on your seats..

I use quick remove waterproof seat protectors like these when I'm gross:
https://www.ariesautomotive.com/acce.../seat-defender

charliedid · #5 11-04-2020, 12:27 PM

1 pump of this once a week will last quite a while.

https://www.amazon.com/Vapor-Fresh-C.../dp/B005ECO9XI

carpediemracing · #6 11-04-2020, 12:32 PM

First, if you have one, change the cabin air filter. Get a charcoal activated whatever one. You wouldn't believe some of the cabin air filters I see. If you can push air through the system backwards (so dust etc goes outside, not into the car) do that when the cabin filter is out. Or vacuum where the cabin air filter sits and push air in. There's usually quite a bit of debris trapped in the ducts / etc.

Next, get rid of the source. Air fresheners just hide odors, but the odors are simply a byproduct of whatever is causing the odor. I don't have a catch all secret to it other than it takes a bit of time. Baking soda, charcoal pots to absorb odor, vinegar, vacuuming, etc. There was one car I know where it reeked of cigarette smoke, just reeked of it. I didn't think it could ever go away. The new owner got rid of the odor in a few months, you couldn't tell the car had ever been smoked in. I asked him if he replaced the interior because there was absolutely no way it was the same interior. It was. He did all of the above.

I will say that ozone treatments don't work, at least not on any significant odors. They seem to work when you first open the door, but that's because the car is now full of (unbreathable) ozone. Once it airs out it'll be nice and smelly again. Source: me trying to deodorize a couple cars, including the cigarette car. We had a crazy ozone thing, you literally could not breathe in the car, but it did zip. Yes, it killed the odor in the air, but it didn't do anything for the source of the odor, which would just emit more smell.