How to Choose Car Scents: Your Ultimate Freshness Guide
by Willian Nandi | 12/09/2024
Chasing the perfect car scent can feel like attempting to discover Bigfoot or harness a unicorn, but the process doesn’t have to be that far-fetched. Approach the problem logically — and with the help of Drift — to infuse your car with a refreshing scent you’ll enjoy for the next few thousand miles. We’re not dismissing the existence of these exotic creatures — or the ultimate car scent you’re bound to discover at Drift.
The fragrance experts at Drift have compiled the following freshness guide to demonstrate how to choose car scents that not only mirror your personality but also establish a relaxing, comfortable, and welcoming atmosphere, regardless of your destination. Explore our formula for selecting the best car scent that fits you while differentiating between natural and synthetic car scents. We’ve also provided a few of our favorite scents for inspiration, which you can purchase right here at Drift.
Why Car Scents Continue to Have Value
Most cars have a specific smell attached to them, from that new car smell of a vehicle that just rolled onto the showroom floor to the musty smell of a car that’s sat in a barn for 50 years. Manual cars with a hint of burning clutch carry the telltale signs of a less experienced driver. Cars can also smell like cigarettes, the jobs we perform, or the environments we frequent.
In addition, the smells we associate with our vehicle can vary significantly depending on several factors. A hint of cologne or perfume can remind us of old flames, while the smell of fried food may help us recall a satisfying take-out meal from the week before. A whiff of the back seat could remind you that it’s probably time to wash out your gym bag — and its entire contents.
How to Choose Car Scents That Fit Your Style
The number of car scents available can feel overwhelming, especially given the many different types of scenting products available. The following formula guides you toward the car scent that best suits your preferences so you can infuse your car with amazing aromas sooner.
Select Your Car Scenting Method
Beyond the individual fragrances — which we’ll discuss next — one of the most essential distinctions between car scents is the diffusion method. You can infuse your vehicle with scents through a hanging air freshener, a diffusion can, air freshening sprays, and many other types of car air fresheners. Select a scenting method based on how you feel your car would best benefit from it.
For example, if you choose to use a visor-clipped air freshener — like Drift signature car fresheners — you don’t have to clip anything to your vents or place a can or tub beneath your seat. Alternatively, you can purchase a vent-mounted car air freshener if you want to infuse the air you breathe with luxurious scents.
Find Scents You Like
Once you’ve determined what diffusion type you prefer, your next decision concerns the fragrance. Some people prefer sweeter-smelling scents, while others enjoy a subtler approach. Regardless of what scent you choose, be sure that it’s something you’re okay smelling for many car rides to come.
Look For Scent Longevity
Now that you’ve determined the scent you like and how you want to incorporate it into your vehicle, check two more items off your list: scent longevity and ingredients. A scent’s longevity describes how long the scent lasts in your car before you can no longer smell it. The best car scents last for several months, if not longer.
Scan the Ingredients List
Clean ingredients can mean a lot for car scents, especially if you spend a lot of time behind the wheel. Cars may be getting bigger, but they’re still a confined space. Ensure that the car scent you invest in is as good for you as it is for your olfactory senses.
Natural vs. Synthetic Car Scents
To continue our discussion of ingredients, search for car scents with natural components to reduce the chances of having an allergic or otherwise adverse reaction to your new fragrance. A shorter ingredient list can signal a more natural car scent, but that’s not always the case.
For example, Drift car scents are free from phthalates, parabens, mineral oils, DEA, formaldehyde, petroleum, propylene, dichlorobenzene, and other harsh chemicals. Our formulas incorporate fragrance and essential oil blends that are vegan, cruelty-free, GMO-free, and pet- and kid-friendly. Our car fresheners are also made from sustainably sourced alder wood, organic stone, and alloy metal.
Popular Car Scents For Inspiration
Need some inspo for your next car scent? Drift premium car air fresheners come in three forms: Wood, Stone, and Metal. The Wood and Stone air fresheners clip onto a metal visor that fits easily onto the driver or passenger visor, while the Metal car freshener sits on the vents to infuse your car’s interior with distinctive fragrances.
Choose from the following signature Drift scents, each with premium scent notes:
- Amber: golden amber, vanilla, eucalyptus, French lavender
- Cabana: coconut, cedarwood, bergamot, sea salt
- Grove: juicy citrus, mountain greens, vanilla sugar, blond wood
- Open Air: crisp linen, fresh air, morning dew, white wood
- Pine: mountain pine, cedarwood, moss, musk
- Teak: teakwood, cedar atlas, amber, oakmoss
Which of these indulgent fragrances will you choose? Check out more scents for your car to discover which best suits your personal style.
