How to Get the New Car Smell Without Buying New

Infusing your car with that new car smell can seem impossible after a certain number of miles, especially if your car’s age has gone into the double digits. However, you don’t have to buy a new vehicle to experience or enjoy the quintessential car interior smell. Instead, you can use the following DIY tips to create and maintain your own new car scent.

If you’re looking for a more convenient solution to changing the smell of your car’s interior, check out Drift’s luxury car fresheners. Even if you drive an older model that’s seen better days, these signature car fresheners refresh your ride to reclaim that new car scent. Plus, they’re available in multiple deluxe scents, so you can personalize that new car smell to suit your preferences. 

Why Do We Love That “New Car Smell” So Much?

Many of us are attracted to the smell of a brand-new car for various reasons, several of which reveal a perception of luxury and exclusivity. That new car scent shortens the distance between the vehicle’s beginnings at the factory and your ownership of it. In addition, there’s no scent imprint of another person yet—only the smells that come directly from the production line. 

Yet, what exactly does a new car smell like? That distinctive new car scent comes from a blend of aromas stemming from brand-new components coming together for the first time. Luxe leather seating that’s as supple and smooth as the day it was stitched and assembled complements the scent of fresh plastic covering delicate surfaces like electronic screens, painted trim pieces, and metal accents. 

5 DIY Ways to Get That New Car Smell Without Buying New

If you’re ready to take matters into your own hands and recapture that new car smell, the process begins with a clean slate. Maintaining your vehicle’s cleanliness enables you to remove any unpleasant odors from your car's interior before they take hold. Use the tips below to create your own rendition of a new car scent. 

1. Baking Soda and Steam

Who knew that the trick to regaining that new car smell could be sitting in your cupboard or refrigerator? This DIY method for getting that new car scent back requires sprinkling a layer of baking soda on the carpets and cloth upholstery, then letting it sit overnight to absorb any unpleasant odors. After vacuuming up any leftover soda flakes, steam clean the fabrics to refresh them and create a solid foundation for any personalized new car smell you want to introduce.

2. Charcoal and Citrus Sachets 

If your busy schedule doesn’t allow time to let your car sit overnight, placing one or two sachets filled with activated charcoal underneath your front seats can achieve the same effect. The charcoal absorbs malodors to cleanse the air in your car, leaving behind a neutral scent. Swapping these sachets with ones filled with citrus peels can elevate your car's interior smell without overwhelming your senses.

3. Essential Oil Diffuser

Crafting your own essential oil diffuser starts with placing a few drops of an essential oil on a cotton ball or felt pad and then leaving that somewhere in your vehicle to disperse throughout the cabin. Sandalwood, cedarwood, and vanilla are common essential oils associated with that new car smell, but you can also use your favorite ones for a more personalized car interior smell. However, it’s important not only to keep any essential oils away from absorbent surfaces, but also to use only those oils that you’re not allergic to and that are safe around pets and children, as applicable. 

4. Natural Leather Conditioner

The smell of premium leather contributes to that new car smell you’re looking to achieve, so refreshing your leather upholstery can help evoke that same scent. Create your own natural leather conditioner with a blend of distilled vinegar, olive oil, and your choice of essential oils. After cleaning the seats and letting them dry, spray your natural leather conditioner on a microfiber and apply it to the leather to keep it supple and smelling amazing.

5. Deep Clean

When a sprinkle of baking soda doesn’t work, it’s time to get down and dirty. That means scrubbing every surface, including all the nooks and crannies where the sources of foul odors live. Give your car a thorough cleaning—or pay for a professional detail—to remove any lingering or stubborn odors.

Drift Luxury Car Fresheners: A Simple Yet Stunning Solution

Achieving that new car smell doesn’t have to require elbow grease and a deep clean. Instead, you can rely on Drift signature car fresheners, a simple solution to achieving an appealing new car scent. Drift’s Wood, Stone, and Metal car fresheners elevate any car interior, signaling sophistication and luxury with every detail—and scent: 

• Amber: Eucalyptus, golden amber, vanilla, French lavender

• Cabana: Bergamot, coconut, cedarwood, sea salt

• Grove: Juicy citrus, vanilla sugar, mountain greens, blond wood

• Open Air: Fresh air, crisp linen, morning dew, white wood 

• Pine: Mountain pine, moss, cedarwood, musk

• Teak: Cedar atlas, amber, teakwood, oakmoss

When it comes to choosing the best car interior smell, Drift luxury car fresheners make the decision easy. A clean blend of essential and fragrance oils complements the sustainably sourced materials, including alder wood, organic stone, and alloy metal. Drift’s signature car fresheners are also free from harsh chemicals like formaldehyde, phthalates, parabens, and DEA. 

Drift Makes Your Car Smell Like New Every Time You Drive

Achieving the ideal new car smell might seem impossible until you’ve discovered Drift luxury car fresheners. Take our Scent Quiz to find your perfect match, or subscribe to our Scent of the Month Club for seasonal scents delivered straight to your door. When your car smells like this, who needs a new car anyway?