It only takes one run to the drive thru to leave your car smelling greasy for the next couple of weeks. And that hot, delicious pizza you picked up last night never smells appetizing in the car the next day. But why do some smells hang around longer? Find out below why fast food smells linger for so long and how to keep your car smelling fresh after picking up your cravings.
The smell of fries, pizza, and other fast food can hang around your car cabin longer than other odors and the science of scent tells us why. If you still smell last weeks drive thru whenever you get in the car, this is probably why:
Recirculation: The AC system in your car recirculates the air over and over, keeping fast food smells trapped in the car, even with the vents blowing.
Fabrics: Scent quickly sticks to fabrics and in a car the seats, carpets, and roof interiors all create surfaces for scent to stick to.
Grease particles: Some hot foods release tiny grease particles in the steam as it cools in the car. These microscopic particles quickly stick to upholstery, clothing, and car interiors and create lingering smells.
Ventilation: Car doors seal tightly to prevent leaks. But this also keeps smells locked in the car without ventilation.
Read more: How to Get Rid of Food Smells at Home
If you need to freshen the scent of your cabin quickly, these handy hints can speed up the process:
Ventilation: Opening the windows allows odor particles to escape the car before settling into upholstery and replaces them with fresh air.
Enzyme air-fresheners: Covering fast food smells doesn’t work as they quickly creep back again when the new scent wears off. Enzyme-based air fresheners break down odors at a molecular level, completely removing them from the air and replacing them with a scent you want to have around.
AC Settings: Car air conditioning recirculates air from the interior of the cabin and keeps it cool and comfortable. When your car has a greasy smell, this system simply keeps the smell recirculating without removing the odor or replacing the air. Set your car AC to pull air from the outside for a while to introduce new, fresh air into the system.
Cleaning: It doesn’t take long for greasy smells to settle into carpets and upholstery. A thorough cleaning lifts old, lingering smells from fabrics and makes your ride feel new again.
Transport food in delivery bags: More of a prevention tip than a cure. Transporting greasy foods in a temperature controlled delivery bag keeps as much steam and grease as possible in the bag and cuts down on the build up of food smells.
If your car smells like old french fries and stale pizza, all is not lost. These popular air fresheners for the car quickly reset the cabin and can even shift other stubborn smells, including smoke.
One of the most popular scents for a quick-fix while on-the-go, Groovin’ Grape Smoke Odor Exterminator is a powerful enzyme-based freshener that deals with lingering grease, musty smells, and strong smoke smells. Breaking down odors, not simply covering them, this blend of fresh grape and juicy berry notes is a great choice for last minute resets or putting the finishing touch on your detailing job.
Read more: Best Car Air Fresheners for Uber Drivers & Dashers
Going a step further for cabin freshness, Ozium Air Sanitizer reduces airborne bacteria while clearing up greasy smells. A great choice when you carry passengers frequently, this vibrant citrus scented spray keeps a healthier cabin environment during school runs, car pools, and rideshare jobs. A little goes a long way with Ozium and the uplifting scent of citrus lays the foundation for fresh starts and happier days.
Do you prefer a more traditional, old fashioned scent in your space? If so, Rasta Mahogany Teakwood might be the ideal alternative to popular floral, citrus, and herbal aromas. Think calm libraries, leather couches, and stately wooden office ambiance. Food smells have no place in your car and this classic scent deals with the quickly and resets the mood in the cabin.
If you carry or deliver food often, a round-the-clock solution might work out better for you. Creamy Vanilla Candle for the Car fresheners use enzymes continuously to break odors down even while you sleep. Replacing greasy fast food smells with the comforting, warm, and nostalgic scent of vanilla, this hands-off approach keeps odors at bay without adding more tasks to your busy schedule.
A burst of fresh, evergreen scent. Sparkling Juniper is the next best thing to walking in the forest in winter. Clean pine scent, hints of berry, and added notes of bubbly prosecco make light work of nasty food smells and leave your cabin smelling vibrant and clean. A fast-fix for strong smells like grease, onions, and garlic, the powerful enzyme formula also breaks down strong smoky smells to give your car interior a new lease on life.
Shop Hippie Love Car Freshener
One of the best selling candle scents in a round-the-clock car freshener. Hippie Love is a whole mood. And one of the most popular enzyme-based aromas, so it’s not surprising this set-it-and-forget-it odor exterminator makes the list. A bohemian blend of tropical aromas, notes of juicy fruits, and warm spices, help this comforting and grounding scent take your cabin from greasy kitchen vibes to a peaceful and positive space, even when you’re not in the car.
Take a mini vacation in your mind on every school run or trip to the store with Tropical Fiesta Odor Eliminating freshener. Using enzymes to break down stubborn fast food smells, this quick fix spray deals with smoke, food, and other odors in seconds. A vibrant and beachy scent, Tropical Fiesta uses notes of delicious valencia orange, tropical pineapple, zesty grapefruit, and creamy coconut for a genuine island twist on everyday drives.
Fast food smells are stubborn. But they can be cleared out quickly and permanently with the right tactics. Ventilation, odor removing air fresheners, and a good clean can quickly make your interior feel as good as new. And don’t forget the power of enzymes to break down odor molecules so they never return.
You chose your car to match your personality and your cabin scent should be no different. Banish food smells for good and drive in comfort with classic, calming, uplifting, or vacation-like car scents from Nothing But Scents.
Hot food continually gives off steam as it rides in your car, spreading both strong food odors and tiny particles of grease around the interior. Grease particles and odors from ingredients like onions, garlic, and spice can settle in the cabin of the car and get recirculated around the car's AC system.
Enzyme-based air fresheners break down odors at the molecular level, removing them from the air and replacing them with your chosen scent. This method actively works to transform the odor in the air, not just cover it up with a different scent.
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