3 DIY Hacks That Will Make Your Car Smell Better Than a Luxury Hotel

Experiencing the glamour of a luxury hotel’s lobby is second only to the privilege of staying in one of the richly appointed rooms. In addition to their exquisite decor, luxury hotels also typically infuse these opulent surroundings with a signature scent. Replicating those scents can prove challenging for even those with the most delicate of olfactory senses. 

What if we told you that you could make your car smell better than any luxury hotel, regardless of how many Michelin stars it received? The guide below includes three simple DIY hacks you can use to infuse your car’s interior with sumptuous scents reminiscent of exotic destinations. Better yet, do as the rich do and leave your dirty work to the scent experts at Drift. 

Why It Pays to Work Smarter Against Car Smells, Not Harder 

Whether your car smells terrible or just doesn’t smell good at all, it pays to work smarter, not harder, to establish a refreshing and pleasant scent. Rather than waste your time on ineffective solutions that are more trouble than they're worth, focus your efforts on what’s proven. You’ll be better off for it. 

Smarter solutions to foul odors save you time and energy, not to mention money. When you don’t have to struggle with removing a scent and coming up short, you can turn your focus to other tasks. Cost-effective car odor solutions and DIY hacks also keep you from wasting money on products that fail to deliver. 

More effective methods produce longer-lasting results. While it’s harder to remove a foul odor from a car’s interior, maintaining a clean and fresh environment requires less effort than repeating the cleansing process. Your efforts can also help you avoid future odors that could lower your car’s value. 

Although the DIY hacks listed below may not be the most convenient, they’re easy enough to incorporate into your schedule. Many are also environmentally friendly and reduce upkeep. When it comes to removing foul car smells, it’s better to exert brain power than physical force.  

3 DIY Hacks to Make Your Car Smell Better Than a Luxury Hotel

Improving the smell of your vehicle’s interior doesn’t take years of experience. Instead, you can use the following hacks to create your own luxury scent and delightful ambiance. Which methods will you use? 

1. Craft a Car Scent Sachet

Although it may sound fancy and sophisticated, a car scent sachet resembles nothing more than a small bag containing pleasant-smelling materials, such as an essential oil-infused cotton ball, repurposed coffee beans, or lavender buds. The bag itself is typically made from a breathable material that allows fragrances to escape into the surrounding air. You can easily find small bags and corresponding materials to hold your favorite scents at your local craft store. 

Once you’ve made a car scent sachet, place it beneath the seats in your vehicle. One or two sachets should suffice, as the air vents below the seats will disperse the fragrance throughout the cabin. If the sachets fade, you can easily remove them and refresh them as needed. 

2. Create Your Own Fabric Spray

DIY fabric sprays can also help keep your car’s interior smelling fresh. To create your own scented fabric spray, mix water, a teaspoon of baking soda, and a few drops of any essential oils you prefer. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spritz onto the carpet or cloth upholstery. 

3. Clean the Air Vents

Foul odors can often seep into your car’s heating and cooling system through the air vents. While replacing the cabin filter can help renew the air flowing into the vehicle, anything still sitting in the vents will contaminate that fresh air. Using a small, thin toothbrush and interior cleaner, carefully scrub the interior part of your car’s air vents to shake loose any bad smells. 

What to Do When DIY Doesn’t Work

Taking matters into your own hands can typically ensure any foul odors in your vehicle are quickly removed from the premises. However, extra muscle may be necessary for those stenches that refuse to comply. When doing it yourself doesn’t cut it, it’s time to call in the experts. 

Professional automotive detailers have the knowledge, tools, and experience necessary to remove foul odors and have your car smelling like a luxury hotel in no time. As they address bad smells at the source with the help of steam extractors, odor foggers, and ozone machines, pungent smells have no choice but to give up. With the help of an expert detailer, any odorous aromas have checked out for good. 

Let Drift Luxury Car Fresheners Do the Work for You

Elevate your car’s interior and ward off bad smells with a Drift signature car freshener. Made from sustainably sourced alder wood, organic stone, and alloy metal infused with essential and fragrance oil blends, Drift’s Wood, Stone, and Metal car fresheners last for up to 30 days. They’re also cruelty-free, safe for pets and children, and vegan. 

Like a luxury hotel, Drift’s car fresheners incorporate high-quality materials that are free from phthalates, parabens, mineral oils, DEA, formaldehyde, petroleum, propylene, dichlorobenzene, and other harsh chemicals. Available scents include Amber, Cabana, Grove, Open Air, Pine, and Teak. Drift car fresheners keep in their packaging until you’re ready to use them, so long as you keep them out of the sun. 

Hack Your Way to a Better-Smelling Car 

Attempting to remove foul odors from your vehicle with these three DIY hacks can help you solve a stinky problem on the cheap. However, a Drift car freshener doesn’t cost much more than the supplies necessary for these hacks, and it’s endlessly more enjoyable to experience. Subscribe to the Scent of the Month Club for even more signature scents exclusive to Drift.