What is it about the new car smell that is so enticing? According to Olivia Jezler, the CEO of The Future of Smell, a human’s sense of smell is linked to “the areas of the brain that process emotion, associative learning, and memory,” which explains why the smell of a new car is so evocative. We associate it with a meaningful purchase — a new car.

“For me, the smell of a new car often triggers the feeling of starting fresh, as if everything is untouched and perfectly clean!” says Parham Koukia, lead detailer at Panda Hub. “You can’t fully replicate that exact factory scent, since it comes from the off-gassing of brand-new materials like leather, plastic and adhesives, but you can get that feeling to a satisfying degree.”

Here’s how to get that new car smell, even if your car isn’t.

What Is the New Car Smell?

Unfortunately, sometimes things that smell good aren’t good for you. New car smell is created when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the adhesives and sealants used in car manufacturing emit noxious gas into the passenger compartment, something known as off-gassing. Individually these VOCs aren’t harmful, but together they could cause health problems if there is long-term exposure. Fortunately for your health, but perhaps unfortunately for your olfactory pleasure, VOCs that create new car smell dissipate over a few months.

How to Keep a New Car Smell

While the VOCs that make a new car smell new will dissipate over time, there are some things you can do to keep your car smelling fresh.

Vacuum Regularly

Vacuuming seats and floor mats removes crumbs, dead skin, pet hair and dander, etc., that combine to create a stale odor in your vehicle.

Wash the Floor Mats

Floor mats should be removed and washed with a small amount of dish soap. Rubber mats can be hosed down. Cloth floor mats should be vacuumed, scrubbed with a carpet and upholstery brush, then rinsed clean with water. Dry floor mats entirely before returning them to the car.

Shampoo the Seats

Clean cloth seats with a carpet and upholstery cleaning product and a carpet and upholstery brush, or with a portable carpet and upholstery cleaning machine like Bissell’s Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner. Treat leather seats with leather cleaner and wipe dry with a clean microfiber cloth.

Clean the Vents

Use a toothbrush and a car cleaning solution to eliminate a mildewy scent. If the mildew odor persists, replace the cabin air filter.

Use an Odor Eliminator

Activated charcoal is a scent-free odor absorber that will eliminate smells in your car’s interior.

How to Get the New Car Smell for Your Car

If a car that smells merely fresh doesn’t do it for you, there are products available that will recreate the new car smell. New car scent products come in a variety of formats, including surface wipes, pump and aerosol sprays and solid gel car air fresheners. Learn how to make car freshener on your own.

Meguiar’s makes several new car-scented products: New Car Scent Protectant Wipes, which is a surface wipe; New Car Scent Protectant, a pump spray; or New Car Air Re-Fresher, an aerosol spray. The Chemical Guys brand sells a set of pump-spray products that mimic the scents of new car and leather: New Car Scent and Leather Scent Combo Pack. Citrus Magic offers a version of its Solid Air Absorber in Luxurious New Car.

FAQ

How often should I wash my car to keep it looking new?

Every two weeks is ideal for maintaining that like-new appearance. That will prevent dirt, road salt and other environmental contaminants from bonding to the paint and causing long-term damage.

“If you live in an area with harsh winters, salted roads or heavy pollen seasons, weekly washes are even better,” says Koukia. “I personally recommend hand washing a car rather than using automatic car washes for better results!”

How often should I perform regular maintenance to keep my car like new?

Check your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations for how often to change your oil and other fluids, belts, air filters, brake pads and other vital components. But at least once a month, you should check your tires for proper pressure and abnormal wear, as well as your fluid levels, lights and turn signals. It’s also a good idea to look under the car for leaks.

“If you follow that, the car will last a long while and operate like new for a long time if you treat the car well,” says Chris “Moose” Pyle, a JustAnswer master certified mechanic.

About the Experts

  • Parham Koukia is lead detailer and operations manager at Panda Hub in Toronto. He has spent more than a decade mastering the art of car detailing, after turning his passion for automobiles into his profession.
  • Chris “Moose” Pyle is a master-certified technician with 20-plus years of automotive experience and an auto expert on JustAnswer, the expert on-demand platform.