Our auto body shop in Seattle has encountered many cars that have developed stubborn, offensive odors.
Maybe the owner spilled something, maybe there was a leak, or maybe something even crawled into their engine and died. Whatever the source may be, it can often leave behind a stench that simply will not go away with conventional cleaning. Fortunately, there are measures you can take against such smells.
First of all, it’s good to be aware of what might cause your car to stink. Dry up wet patches before they encourage the growth of mildew. Clean up food before it attracts mold. Avoid eating, smoking, and transporting pets around in your car whenever you can.
Should you find yourself stuck with an objectionable odor, identify its source and remove it. Dry out mildew, or steam clean spots that might be infected with bacteria. If the smell has worked its way into the fibers severely enough, you may need to replace carpeting or underpadding. There are also some commercial products available which claim to be able to eliminate odors; consider these as appropriate.