Is there any air freshener that really smells like new car
Andrew Walker
Updated on April 07, 2026
“The new-car smell is a chemical smell,” said Stuart Walman, vice-president and general manager of Medo Industries, a subsidiary of Shell Lubricants that developed a deodorizing spray called Ozium, available at auto-parts stores and carwashes. The words “That New Car Smell” are emblazoned in big letters on the can.
What air freshener smells like a new car?
“The new-car smell is a chemical smell,” said Stuart Walman, vice-president and general manager of Medo Industries, a subsidiary of Shell Lubricants that developed a deodorizing spray called Ozium, available at auto-parts stores and carwashes. The words “That New Car Smell” are emblazoned in big letters on the can.
What gives new cars that smell?
The new-car smell is made up of a group of chemicals known as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs for short. These VOCs can be found in adhesives, fabrics, plastics, and other bits that are used in the construction of a vehicle.
How do car dealerships get the new car smell?
Originally Answered: How do used car dealerships get the car to smell like “new” again? They don’t. The “new” smell is a result of fuming (off-gassing to use a new term) from all of the new plastics, fabrics, leathers, and chemical sealants in a new car that have been enclosed together during the shipping process.How can I make my car smell like new?
- Keep The Seats Clean. If you want your car to smell like new, one of the first things that you should do is vacuum the seats. …
- Wash the Floor Mats. …
- Steam Clean Your Car’s Interior. …
- Use a Car Air Spray.
What scent do dealerships use?
Original Factory Scent™ is widely used by Car Dealerships and Auto Auctions to improve the desirability of vehicles to their customers. Used car managers are using this product to reduce smoke odor, improve the marketability of used cars, and move cars off the lot at a quicker rate.
What is the most popular car air freshener scent?
Best air freshenerBrandScentFor smokersYankee CandleVarietyFor pet odorsFebrezeLinen & SkyBest air freshener sprayChemical GuysNew carBest car vent air freshenerFebrezeFresh or Shimmer
Why does new car smell make me sick?
“New car smell” is caused by volatile organic compounds that can cause headaches, sore throat, nausea and possibly cancer, according to studies. The smell comes from the plastic, glue and carpeting in cars.How long does a new car smell last?
On average, VOCs dissipate at a rate of 10% to 20% per week. At this rate, the new car smell doesn’t last as long as some people may think. In fact, after six months or so, you will notice a considerable difference in the scent of your car as the new car smell dissipates.
Is there a car air freshener that works?A can of gel air freshener, like the Ozium Smoke & Odors Eliminator Gel is a popular pick. Just pop the top on this gel air freshener, and Ozium gets to work eliminating odors and leaving a pleasant scent in your car cabin. … Overall, though, this is a great set-it-and-forget-it gel air freshener for cars.
Article first time published onWhat's the strongest car air freshener?
- Meguiar’s Whole Car Air Re-Fresher. Meguiar’s. $8 AT AMAZON. …
- Armor All Fresh Fx. $18 AT AMAZON. …
- Febreze Unstopables. Febreze. …
- Yankee Candle Car Jar. $11 AT AMAZON. …
- Baking Soda. $7 AT AMAZON. …
- Charcoal. $35 AT AMAZON. …
- Cabin Air Filter. $18 AT AMAZON.
What car fragrance lasts longest?
Branded as the world’s longest-lasting car air freshener, the PURGGO Car Air Freshener attaches to the back of your seat via the headrest. Able to last over 365 days, according to the manufacturer, the PURGGO Car Air Freshener uses bamboo charcoal to absorb odors as opposed to using a scent to cover smells up.
What do car dealers use to clean interior?
A car detailer will use car wash soap for professional car detailing, like Meguiar’s Gold Class Car Wash. Wondering if you might be using the wrong cleaning products inside your home?
Is the new car smell toxic?
A new study suggests that new car smell comes from toxic chemicals off-gassing in a car’s interior, like brominated flame retardants (BFRs), chromium, and lead. … The higher the vehicle rating in the study, the higher the level of these chemicals was, based on their testing methods.
Where can I spray air freshener in my car?
Spray or aerosol-style air fresheners can also be used in cars to mask smells and leave a fresh scent. Spray the liquid into the air in the car, rather than directly onto the seats, dash, floor, or roof.
Which little tree air freshener is the best?
ColiAlma ranked Black Ice as the number one little trees scent. It is the best air freshener on the market today. It can be everyone’s favorite because it is very helpful in absorbing the strong odor inside the car that can really leave your car smelling fresh and clean.
What air fresheners last the longest?
Gel-Based Air Fresheners The fragrance gets released over time as the gel dries out. Compared to a candle-based air freshener, the gel-based air fresheners can last longer, because they do not burn away and can be covered up and resealed when deodorization isn’t needed.
Why do dealerships put baking soda on car seats?
Yes, sprinkling baking soda on your car seats can help improve the smell of your car because of its odor-busting properties. The baking soda will neutralize the odor of pets, food, and spills and leave your car smelling fresh. Sprinkle the baking soda, let it sit for a couple hours and then vacuum clean.
How do you clean a brand new car?
Wash it by hand using a mild detergent. Car wash detergents take away the wax and polish on the paint surface as well as the dirt and grime, so use one that’s gentle on your paint. Thoroughly rinse the car when you’ve finished to wash away any detergent left.
How long does it take a new car to offgas?
And as we all know, the new car smell doesn’t last forever. While these chemicals themselves will remain in your car, the dangerous off-gassing process will reduce over time. Experts say most of it will be over within six months.
