Car Smell Won't Go Away: Find the Source and Remove It

If the smell is still there after you’ve cleaned it twice, you’re probably cleaning the wrong thing.

Why it happened

Smell doesn’t live on the surface. It soaks into the foam under the carpet, into seat cushions, into the headliner and into the vents. Cleaning the top and spraying air freshener only covers it.

Find the source

1. Pull the floor mats and smell the carpet under them.
2. Check the seat seams and the cracks where the seat meets the seatback.
3. Check the trunk and spare tire well.
4. Run the AC. A musty smell only with the AC on means a dirty evaporator or cabin filter.
5. Check under the seats for old food or a leak.

Fix by source

• Milk, food, pets, vomit: soak the area with an enzyme cleaner, let it sit, extract or blot, then dry it completely with a fan. If it doesn’t dry, it will smell again.
• Mildew or musty: find and fix the water leak first, then dry and treat. Replace the cabin filter.
• Smoke: it’s in the headliner, seats, carpet and vents. Wash the soft surfaces, replace the filter, and expect to bring in a pro.

Skip the air fresheners. Perfume mixed with the smell is usually worse.

What it costs

• Enzyme cleaner and cabin filter: $30 to $60
• Rental extractor and supplies: $50 to $100
• Pro odor removal: $150 to $400

Keep it from happening again

Deal with spills right away, fix any leak immediately, and never leave food or wet items in the car.