Odour is a common complaint that has been around since air conditioning has been installed in cars. It is particularly annoying because you can smell it every time you turn on the air conditioning. To neutralize the odour, we have to understand what's causing it. It could be a result of your vehicle having been owned by smoker, or maybe the previous owner was a dog lover and regularly had his dog in the car. Or maybe, it is fungus, bacteria and other microbes growing inside the moisture-laden evaporator core. Even if you bought the vehicle new, odours and allergens associated dust, dust, mould, fungus or bacteria can build up in your air-conditioning system. Every time you turn on the air-conditioning on, you are breathing in these odours and allergens.
The presence of these microbes is the most concerning given that they cause allergies such as hay fever and eczema. These allergies are associated with 70-80% of asthma cases in New Zealand. Dust-mite feces, pollen, rodent urine, mould and cat hair and saliva are the most common asthma-producing allergens. Your vehicle’s air conditioning system needs to be kept clean and well-serviced to prevent build up of these types of irritants. Most new vehicles after 2000 are fitted with pollen filters but these require checking and replacement at least once a year to remain effective.
Dealing with Odours - what you can try…
Clean your ‘ride’
Before you spend money getting us to clean your car, try cleaning yourself as thoroughly as possible:
· Open the windows to air out the vehicle.
· Get any rubbish out of your car. Clear it completely out, making sure to check under the seats.
· Wipe the car inside with cleaning product.
· Vacuum the rug and upholstery inside the car.
· Shampoo the inside of the car. Steam cleaning through hot water extraction with an enzymatic odor remover is the most effective. It may be expensive as this type of cleaning is generally done by a valet service or mobile carpet cleaner.
Soak the smoke
To get rid of the lingering smell of cigarette smoke, you can try cheap and eco-friendly white distilled vinegar which is safe, highly effective and very inexpensive. Here are a few easy steps:
Step 1: Get Soaking
Put a towel in a plastic bowl and pour in white distilled vinegar until the towel is soaked.
Step 2: Location Is Everything
Put two to four plastic bowls with the vinegar-soaked towels around the interior of your car. Place near the ashtray and in the backseat, and leave them overnight.
Step 3: And Remove
Overnight, the vinegar will absorb the cigarette odours. When you remove the bowls, the smell of cigarette smoke will be gone and the smell of vinegar will be gone in a day.
Note: If you have a bigger car and strong odours, you can use as many bowls filled with vinegar-soaked towels as you feel necessary.
Alternatively, you could use peppermint essential oil instead of vinegar. Put 10 drops of peppermint oil to in about 10 L warm water.
