We’re getting set to flip the calendar on another year, meaning your vehicle officially becomes one model year older. But even if a new vehicle isn’t in your 2024 plans, you can still get your current car smelling brand-new.

Courtesy of Charge-a-Car, here are five strategies to avoid complacency and keep your car smelling fresh year-round.

Clean the Upholstery

Let’s start with the essentials. Dirt, debris, and pet hair accumulate quickly within your car’s interior, and without constant upkeep, you could find yourself wondering how you let things go. Vacuuming regularly not only eliminates unwanted material, but it also reduces odors that get trapped in the upholstery. You should utilize the vacuums at the car wash whenever you take your car to be washed (which you should do bi-monthly), but it also might help to keep a hand vacuum in the car for more regular maintenance.

As we gear up for New Year’s resolutions, let’s also make 2024 the year we ditch smoking in the car. Besides being an unhealthy habit, the smoke leaves behind a permanent, ashy smell and could potentially damage the car’s upholstery. Let’s kick this bad habit in the butt and ensure fresh air for our rides!

Don’t Let Garbage Linger

Many drivers don’t bother having a waste bin in their car – for them, the car itself becomes a dumping ground. It’s important to treat your car’s interior just like any room in your house. Make it a habit to promptly dispose of any trash you generate.

Consider purchasing a car trash can if your vehicle is spacious enough to allow it. Most of them are available for under twenty dollars. Stick it in a safe spot next to your seat and properly dispose of snack wrappers, ATM receipts and beverage containers rather than letting them join the collection amassing on your floor mats. (Also make sure you shake out those mats every week or so.)

Leave Baking Soda Out Overnight

Baking soda: the secret ingredient of the cleaning world. If you’re dealing with persistent or overpowering odors in your car, here’s a simple trick: just sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on your mats and carpets. Allow it to sit overnight, and then vacuum up the remaining residue the next morning. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the fresh scent left behind after the baking soda has absorbed many of the unwanted odors in your vehicle.

When you’re pressed for time and can’t pinpoint the source of an odor, baking soda comes to the rescue. No need to rush to the detailer. Simply leave an open box of baking soda in your driver’s door pocket for a few days if the smell lingers.

Use an Air Freshener

They may be passé, but there’s a reason you still see air fresheners dangling from rearview mirrors: they consistently do the job. It’s important to choose an air freshener that neutralizes odors instead of simply masking them. With a wide range of top-notch products available, there’s little sense in finding a temporary fix for a problem that can be actively resolved.

You can also invest in an oil diffuser. In addition to masking unwanted odors and replacing them with a rich fragrance, essential oils have been known to reduce stress and keep you alert while you drive.

Know the Difference Between Cleaning and Detailing

When you detail your car, you give it a complete makeover, focusing on deep cleaning and restoring the interior. Forget about regular surface cleaning and quick vacuuming; detailing goes beyond that, paying attention to the smallest details. It’s about giving neglected areas, like air vents and spaces between seats, the care they need.

Car detailing involves a thorough cleaning that demands hours of your time and a variety of cleaning materials. You can even go the extra mile by shampooing the upholstery and applying a protective coat of wax. Keep in mind that each additional step you take not only eliminates odors but also restores your car with a fresh, like-new appearance.

So Fresh and So Clean

Head into the new year with your car smelling factory new by implementing these strategies. And when you are prepared to change vehicles, our inventory at Charge-A-Car is guaranteed to have what you’re looking for. Buy and finance your car at the same convenient location today! Schedule your test drive at Charge-A-Car and drive into the new year with a clean slate.