It’s natural to expect a car to smell like any number of things, from that new car smell to the intangible yet distinctly welcoming scent you’re familiar with. Sometimes, the smells associated with cars tell us something’s wrong, from the sweet smell of coolant or the reek of gas to the burnt smell of brakes or a worn-out clutch. Cars can also smell like the fast food meal you picked up last week — thanks to the fry you dropped between the seats — your pets, or even the car freshener you bought to mask it all.
The best car scents whisk you away from reality and transport you to a fresh space. The guide below includes seven of the benefits car scents offer modern drivers, but buyers beware. Nothing establishes a sense of ambiance like Drift premium car fresheners.
The Best Car Scents Go Beyond Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy offers several benefits of its own, mainly positively affecting our moods. Yet the best car scents transcend the basic science of smells to evoke emotions, stir the memory, and invite a sense of wonder. Artisan car scents beckon you to take an invigorating journey through distinctive smells that leave a lasting impression and the desire for more.
7 Benefits Car Scents Offer Car Owners
Smelling salts have been used in the past to awaken fainting maidens. Since the invention of deodorant and body spray, we’ve used more pleasant scents to cover our natural body odors. Similarly, it’s not hard to recognize a few of the benefits car scents offer, especially for those who spend a significant amount of time behind the wheel.
1. Eliminate Bad Odors
When you find a scent you like, it’s hard to get enough of it, but the same can’t be said for foul odors. The best car scents replace — not mask — pungent smells like dirty clothes, old fast food, stale air, or even pet odors. Instead of smelling something that wrinkles your nose, you’re free to breathe deeply and inhale something fresh.
2. Create a Memorable Experience
Our experiences behind the wheel vary greatly, but it’s the scent we’re met with when we first get in that can dictate the tone of the trip. If you smell something good every time you get in the driver’s seat, chances are, you’re more likely to want to go out. Creating an ambiance that reduces stress and invites friends and family into your car is just one of the many benefits car scents offer.
3. Customizable
New car smells may come standard from the factory in some cases, but the best car scents don’t have to follow the status quo. Instead, you can customize your car scent to surround yourself with an aroma you like and one that fits your style. With so many options that cater to different scent preferences, finding a suitable match isn’t too challenging.
However, choosing a car scent that benefits you from the mass-produced array of car fresheners can feel less humanizing and personal. That’s why we created the Drift signature scent lineup, with five full scents to select from, including Pine, Amber, Teak, Grove, and Cabana. Drift makes it easy to switch out scents when you’re ready to change your perspective.
4. Cost-Effective
Car owners can easily find a car freshener that fits their budget, from an affordable solution to investment-oriented products. Yet one of the benefits car scents offer is that the most cost-effective products give you the most bang for your buck. Finding a long-lasting car freshener doesn’t require paying more than you did for your favorite coffee drink or settling for an ineffective yet inexpensive solution.
For example, Drift’s premium car scents last up to 30 days to stretch your dollar further. These long-lasting car fresheners turn your well-spent funds into an investment in more pleasant aromas. Plus, you can easily order refills in various scents to see which best suits your style.
5. Stylish Design For Visual Appeal
One of the unique benefits car scents from Drift offer is the sleek and stylish design that houses our signature scents. The Wood car freshener incorporates sustainably sourced alder wood. We infuse organic stone to create our Stone car fresheners and alloy metal for the Metal car freshener variations that fit into your vehicle’s vents. Rest assured that Drift's sophisticated car fresheners elevate and enhance your car’s interior to improve its value while achieving a pleasant smell.
6. Convenient
Remembering to turn off car diffusers or replace car air freshener vent clips can be a hassle, especially with the busy lives we live today. To take full advantage of the benefits car scents offer, they must be convenient, easy to use, and require minimal maintenance. Drift car scents don’t require a complex contraption and can easily be removed or replaced at will.
7. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable
Last but certainly not least, one of the more critical benefits car scents offer to the environment includes using sustainably sourced materials that are free from harsh chemicals. Synthetic blends not only smell fake, but they can also be harmful. The best car scents take their sustainable duties seriously, incorporating an environmentally friendly approach as equally as they do quality and effectiveness.
Drift’s Sustainable Car Scents Benefit You and the Environment
Drift’s luxury car scents blend premium essential and fragrance oils with an elegantly designed product that brings a sophisticated touch to your car’s interior. Our elite car fresheners are vegan, cruelty-free, and pet-friendly. Drift car fresheners are also free from parabens, mineral oils, propylene, formaldehyde, DEA, petroleum, phthalates, and other harsh chemicals.
Infusing your vehicle with your new Drift signature scent requires little effort. Simply place the provided metal clip on your driver or passenger visor. Open the scent block and allow it to acclimate before attaching it magnetically to the provided clip. If you’re not ready to install the car freshener or want to keep it fresh while you try another, simply keep it sealed and out of the sun.
Claim Your Scent Benefits With Drift
The benefits car scents offer can easily be overlooked, but that’s not the case with the Drift lineup of exclusive car fresheners. These sophisticated aromas infuse your car’s interior with premium scents that fit your style and preference. Finding it hard to choose between two custom scents? Take our Scent Quiz to determine which best suits your tastes — or, should we say, smell?