Fresh Hacks to Keep Your Car Looking and Smelling New
Few things ruin the mood faster than stepping into a car that smells like last week’s takeaway or looks like it’s been moonlighting as a dust bowl. A car is more than just a ride from A to B, it’s your daily office, café and sometimes even your karaoke booth. Keeping it fresh and clean is not just about appearances, it’s about enjoying the journey and not apologising every time someone climbs into the passenger seat.
Here are some simple, clever tricks to keep your car looking and smelling new without breaking the bank.
- Keep Wipes Handy
Spills happen. Dust happens. Having a pack of wipes in your car is a lifesaver. Baby wipes do the job just as well as the fancy car-specific ones, and at a fraction of the cost. Keep a stash in your glove compartment and you’ll never have to watch a coffee spill sink into the upholstery again. - Sprinkle Baking Soda to Neutralise Odours
Lingering smells are sneaky and stubborn. Baking soda is the cheap miracle worker that fixes it. Just sprinkle it on carpets and seats, leave it for half an hour and then vacuum it up. For long-term freshness, tuck a little open container of baking soda under the seat. It quietly absorbs odours without leaving any scent of its own. - Activated Charcoal Bags for Long-Lasting Freshness
If baking soda is the short-term fixer, activated charcoal is the marathon runner. Pop a small bag under your seat or in a cup holder. It absorbs odours for months and only needs a sunbath once a month to recharge. Eco-friendly, effective and no fake pine tree smells dangling from your mirror. - Coffee Filters for Lint-Free Dusting
Your dashboard deserves better than paper towels. Coffee filters are naturally lint-free and perfect for wiping down screens and surfaces. They don’t scratch, they grab dust like magnets, and they’re cheap. Toss a few in the glove box and you’re sorted. - Foam Craft Brush for Air Vents
Air vents are dust’s favourite hiding place. A foam craft brush, dipped lightly in a vinegar-water mix, fits right in between the slats. It cleans without scratching and takes all that invisible grime out of the air you breathe. Keep one in the car and give your vents a quick once-over every month. - DIY Cleaning Slime for Crevices
Cup holders and gear shifts collect crumbs like it’s their job. A quick homemade cleaning slime made from glue, water, baking soda and contact lens solution can pull out the bits you can’t reach with a cloth. It’s oddly satisfying and reusable too. - Squeegee and Spray Bottle for Pet Hair
If you drive with pets, you know the struggle. Lightly mist your seats with water and use a squeegee to pull fur into clumps. It works better than most vacuums. Gather it up and the car instantly looks less like a mobile dog bed. - Homemade Stain Remover for Fabric Seats
Hydrogen peroxide mixed with water and a dash of lemon oil is a natural stain remover that smells good too. Spray, let it sit, scrub and blot. It’s tough on stains but gentle on fabric, and it makes your car smell citrus-fresh.
And if all of this feels like too much effort or you want your car to get the full spa treatment, give it some TLC at The Square Car Wash and Valet at The Square Shopping Centre in Sunninghill. Professional hands, thorough clean and you’ll drive away feeling like your car’s brand new.
