Car Smells Like a Gym Bag? Here’s How to Fix It Fast

You get into your car, and as the door shuts, suddenly it hits you. Your car smells like a mix of a sweaty gym bag, a week-old fast-food container, and a clump of musty pet hair. We’ve all been there—and it’s not a pleasant smell. 

You could add “deep clean car” to your lengthy to-do list, or you can use the car odor eliminator hacks listed below to refresh your car’s interior smell, fast. These tips and tricks to remove car odors are exactly what you need to make your car smell new again without spending several hours or hundreds of dollars. Once you’ve eliminated car smells like these, it’s time to treat yourself with a Drift luxury car freshener. 

Common Causes of Funky Car Odors (and How to Prevent Them)

Sweat, food, and pets are the three most common sources of car odors. Although summer might be cooling off and giving way to autumn, there are still plenty of hot days that make you sweat in your vehicle. You can wash the sweat out of your clothes, but removing the body odor from your car’s interior may not be part of your weekly routine. 

In addition, eating and drinking in the car is practically a pastime during the summer, when sweet, cold treats are the norm. However, crumbs and drips can easily get left behind, and in the worst-case scenarios, gooey messes become a permanent installation in your car’s carpets. Pets also make great road trip companions, but they can easily leave behind traces of their presence, from dirt and debris due to muddy paws to hair and oils that rub off on upholstery and contribute to that wet dog smell. 

Preventing these common car odors from taking up residence in your car typically means not eating or drinking in the car and leaving your furry friend behind at home. If that’s a deal-breaker, investing in seat covers or professional monthly details can help, but only one of these solutions is sustainable, especially if you live on a budget. The better solution is to keep a clean car and infuse your car’s interior with indulgent scents that establish and maintain your own personal scent oasis. 

Fresh Again: Natural Remedies to Rescue Your Ride

Synthetic cleaning products can make your car take on a new smell, but it’s not necessarily any more pleasant than that of sweaty gym socks. Instead, using natural products and solutions can help refresh the air without irritating your senses. Here are a few natural car odor eliminator hacks:

• Baking soda: Sprinkle baking soda on your vehicle’s carpet, let it sit overnight, and then vacuum it up to neutralize lingering odors.

• White vinegar: Put a small amount in a shallow container and place it in your vehicle overnight; alternatively, you can dilute vinegar in water, spray it on your upholstery and carpeting, and let it air out.

• Coffee grounds: Similar to white vinegar, you can place a small amount of coffee grounds in a container and leave it in your car to absorb unpleasant odors. 

• Activated charcoal: A common car odor eliminator, activated charcoal removes car odors by absorbing lingering smells. 

• Herb sachets: Create a mix of your favorite herbs and spices to place under the front seats, allowing them to infuse into your car’s cabin and eliminate car smells.

Sometimes, all your car needs is a good dose of sunshine and airflow. If you’re able to safely, leave the windows rolled down and the doors open to fully air out your car’s interior. However, you shouldn’t leave your car in the sunlight too long, as the UV rays can fade the interior. 

Much More Than Your Average Car Odor Eliminator

The best car odor eliminator removes car odors without overpowering your olfactory senses and only masking the problem. When you need more than just a fresh-smelling car and want to personalize the scentscape within your car’s cabin, Drift luxury car fresheners are your go-to car odor-eliminating solution. They seamlessly blend in with your car’s interior styling and eliminate odors that keep your vehicle smelling fresh and clean. 

Clean essential and fragrance oils lie at the heart of Drift’s signature car fresheners, which are also made from sustainable materials like alder wood, organic stone, and alloy metal. Every Metal, Wood, and Stone car freshener is free from phthalates, parabens, formaldehyde, DEA, and other harsh chemicals. Drift car fresheners are also cruelty-free, vegan, and safe to use around pets and children. 

How to Keep Your Car Smelling Fresh—and Foul Odors at Bay

The key to maintaining a fresh-smelling vehicle lies in banishing foul odors first and then infusing your car’s interior with a Drift signature scent via our luxury car fresheners. Start by picking up after yourself every time you get out of the vehicle. If your car stays dirtier during a certain time of the year—such as winter—schedule an interior cleaning with a local detailing shop to remove the worst of the grime. 

The more you take care of your vehicle—including how it smells—the more it will take care of you. Plus, if you like what you smell with our premium car fresheners, you can refer a friend to get your next car scent free. That’s a win-win situation for everyone involved. 

Leave the Gym Smell Behind With Luxury Drift Car Fresheners 

Drift makes it easy to leave the gym and any unpleasant odors behind. Rely on our luxury car fresheners as effective car odor eliminators, regardless of whether you choose a mainstay scent or subscribe to our Scent of the Month Club. When you need to eliminate car smells quickly, there’s no substitute for premium car fragrances.