Brand-new vehicles have an alluring and distinctive scent, which might be appealing to many. The scent has been associated with luxury, cleanliness and the joy of owning a new car. The popularity of new cars can be gauged from the fact that new car-scented air fresheners are also available in the market. The smell in new cars is generated due to off-gassing, increasing its health risks.
Let’s dig a little deeper into the new car smell and elaborate on its impacts on human health.
What Causes New Car Smell
New vehicle smell is an unusual car odour that is produced due to the off-gassing. Off-gassing is a process which releases gases that are trapped, frozen or absorbed in a material.
In cars, the smell is often produced from the products used to soften leather. Aside from these materials, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are also responsible for a distinct new car smell. The smell varies from vehicle to vehicle depending on materials used in a car. Alongside natural, a few brands also create artificial new car scents to cater to their audience.
Is New Car Smell Harmful?
The new car smell is made of around 50 to 60 different types of VOC that can be harmful. The gases released after off-gassing can cause skin and eye irritation, difficulty in breathing and sore throat.
The five most common new car smell chemicals are as follows.
- Ethylbenzene: it is a colourless and flammable gas that breaks down into other chemicals.
- Toluene: It is a liquid solvent often found in glues and paints.
- Xylene: This sweet-smelling gas is widely used in rubber and leather products.
- Styrene: it is used for making rubber products, carpets and insulation.
- Trimethylbenzene: It is usually found in fuels and other additives making it a reason for the petrol smell in the car.
How to Remove New Car Smell
The following are different ways to eliminate new car smells from your vehicle.
Remove Plastic Covers
Plastic wrapping used to protect the interior is one of the main culprits for the new car smell. Remove all the plastic coverings from the car and park it outdoors with windows rolled down. Make sure to remove all the plastics, especially from the car seats, AC vents and doors.
Use Car Fresheners
Different types of car fresheners or deodorisers can also be used to eliminate plastic odour from your new vehicle. Use citrus or floral scents for better results. Please remember that car fresheners may not remove the odour completely, but will make it bearable.
Keep Baking Soda
Baking soda has a natural tendency to absorb odours. Add baking soda to an open container and place it in the car. If the smell is persistent after two to three days, add fresh baking soda to the container.
Aside from baking soda, you can also use fresh lemon slices or white vinegar for the same purpose. Besides, here are some other tips to keep your car cabin fresh.
Clean the Interior
The car’s interior is one of the major sources of bad odour. Use a light cleaning agent and a microfibre cloth to clean the interior. Once done, use a damp cloth and wipe off any cleaning agent left on the interior.
Park Car Outdoor
New car smell can be baked away by parking the vehicle under the sun for 2 hours with windows rolled down. However, make sure not to park the car for too long, as it can damage the interior and exterior of a vehicle.
Roll Down Windows
Roll down the windows and drive at a higher speed for at least 20 to 30 minutes. Moreover, keep your windows slightly rolled down when parking a vehicle. The rolled-down windows will create ventilation, eliminating new car odour.
FAQs
How do you get that new car smell?
You can get a new car smell by using new car-scented air fresheners.
What causes a new car smell?
New car smell is often caused due to the release of chemicals and VOCs from the vehicle.
How to make your car smell brand new?
To make your car smell brand new, remove any trash inside the car, vacuum all the upholstery and wash all the components regularly.
This was all about the new car smell and how to get rid of it. A new car smell might provide a sense of achievement, but it can be harmful in the long run. Aside from the new car, if you opt for a used car for sale in the UAE, make sure it has a smell-free cabin. This is because a smelly car cabin might indicate multiple underlying issues that can cost a fortune to repair.
If you want to remove the cigarette smell from your car, here are some helpful tips to freshen it up.
Stay tuned to dubizzle’s auto blog for more information on car smells.
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