Follow these tips from Fremont Motors to keep a car smelling like new

Sprinkle baking soda on upholstery and carpets, then vacuum up the powder.
Sprinkle baking soda on upholstery and carpets, then vacuum up the powder. | File photo

The Fremont Motors blog offers a number of tips on how to keep that new car smelling its freshest for as long as possible.

Cleanliness is the key to keeping that new-car smell. Vacuum the interior frequently and use a damp cloth to wipe down plastic parts inside. A lint-free dust cloth comes in handy for wiping down the dash and other areas, too.

Forget about leaving any items that may stink in the vehicle. This includes wet towels, towels a dog has sat upon, gym clothing, workout shoes and especially trash such as fast-food bags. These can cause mystery odors that linger and make the car reek in no time.

Eating in the vehicle can make it smell, even if the food packaging is discarded afterwards. If a busy lifestyle means in-car eating is bound to happen, open the windows a bit and turn off the heat or air conditioning so the odor doesn't circulate through the vents.

Smoking also causes a car to stink in a hurry. Smoke has a way of getting trapped in cloth seats and in just about everything inside a vehicle. It's really difficult to remove the odor once it has built up.

Leather conditioner is a great way to keep leather seats supple while also helping retain their nice leathery scent.

If the car suffers from some kinds of odors even after cleaning, an air ionizer may help. Some cars have these included in standard packages. Otherwise, sprinkle baking soda on upholstery and carpets, then vacuum up the powder.