There are some things that a regular car wash can’t fix, like a lingering bad smell in your car. Don’t worry if your car still has an icky odor after wiping down and vacuuming the cabin — TikTok creator @daddybrownn has a simple solution: Baking soda.
According to daddybrownn, the smell in your car could very likely be from acidic particles in the vehicle’s upholstery. If that’s the case, you can neutralize these low pH particles with baking soda, which has a much higher pH. The baking soda will absorb the particles, eliminating the stench from your cabin.
How to Use Baking Soda To Eliminate Car Smells
In case you’re in doubt that something this simple can do the trick, just know that daddybrownn isn’t the first person to offer this advice. A quick online search reveals numerous sources that support the baking soda hack, including Honda of Denton. In fact, it’s one of the most common DIY solutions for attacking smells inside your car.
@daddybrownn Finally get rid of those smelly car odors! #car #carsoftiktok #clean #cleantok #cleantiktok #bakingsoda #hack #hacks #lifehacks #lifehack #homehack #carhack #truck #trucks #trucksoftiktok #foryou #foryoupage #foryoupage❤️❤️ ♬ original sound – daddybrownn
Want to try the baking soda hack? It’s luckily very easy:
- Sprinkle baking soda on your seats and carpet — wherever the smell may be coming from
- Using a brush or rag, spread the baking soda evenly to cover the entire area
- Leave it to sit there for about 30 minutes
- Vacuum all the baking soda up
How to Get Stubborn Smells Out of Your Car
If you tried the baking soda trick and your car still has a lingering odor, there are a few other things to consider. First, remove the cabin air filter. This should be replaced, as the stubborn smell was likely absorbed by the old filter and recirculated into the cabin again.
If you’ve cleaned your car and replaced the cabin air filter, and the smell persists, there are other home remedies to try. A popular one is using coffee grounds. Place them in a small container and then leave them in your cabin for a few days. This is a hack that’s worked for people when cleaning cars, homes, and beyond.
Another popular solution is the “ozone treatment.” Put an ozone generator in your car and leave it running. The generator uses UV light to attack odor-causing molecules, particles, and bacteria. This is a process even car detailers use, so give it a try if you’re getting desperate. This is the most recommended step to take if the smell is extremely stubborn.
Keep Your Car Smelling Great
Freshening up your car doesn’t have to be a pricey detail-shop job — sometimes the simplest hacks are the most powerful. Start with the baking-soda trick to neutralize those low-pH particles lurking in your upholstery, then swap out that old cabin filter if odors persist.
If you’re still chasing a stubborn smell, turn to coffee grounds for a natural absorbent or go full pro with an ozone treatment to break down odor molecules at their source. Armed with these tips, you’ll be back to enjoying a clean, welcoming cabin, mile after mile.