5 things that can cause your car to smell bad, from the top car detailer in Athens, GA
Is your nose telling you that it’s time to do something about your car? Let’s face it, we use our cars a lot and don’t always have the time to clean up every little speck of debris as we go. Over time, that debris can add up to big smells. As one of the best car detailers in Athens, GA, we’ve seen just about everything. Here’s our list of the top 5 things that might be causing odor in your car.
5 things that can stink up a car fast – according to Hunt for Details, a top local car detailing service in Athens, GA.
Smoking
Food remnants
Pet dander, hair, and accidents
Trapped rainwater
Rodent infestation
Smoking causes cars to smell. Can a car detail fix it?
Smoking in a car can lead to significant damage over time. The residue from cigarette smoke can build up on the interior surfaces, including the dashboard, steering wheel, and upholstery, causing them to become discolored and stained. The strong odor of smoke can also permeate the car's interior, lingering for extended periods even after the smoking has stopped. If the smoking has gone on for long enough, the smell likely has permeated aspects of the car that are really difficult or impossible to clean during a car detail service. Examples include the AC system, the foam in the seats, and the foam in the headliner. Frankly, any car detailer that tells you they can completely eliminate the smell of smoke from a vehicle is overpromising.
As one of the best car detailers in Athens, GA, we pride ourselves on being honest about expectations with our customers. If you have a car that’s been smoked in, Hunt for Details would love to help. We’ll ask you questions about the car’s history and try our best to predict how well we will be able to mitigate the cigarette smoke smell in the car. Truthfully, there is no way to tell with 100% certainty how well we will be able to remove the smell until we start working on it. Smoking in cars usually causes permanent damage – it’s just an unfortunate fact. When we approach cars that have been smoked in, we do our best to provide an exceptional interior and exterior detail. We focus heavily on the interior and have a number of tactics that we can employ.
When beginning a car detail for cigarette odor removal, we thoroughly vacuum the interior of the car to remove any ash, debris, and nicotine residue. Any kind of ash or cigarette butts can be a significant source of odor in the car. Next, we painstakingly clean every surface with professional-grade odor elimination cleaners specially designed to neutralize and eliminate smoke odors at the molecular level. This means that the cleaners work to chemically break down the particles causing odor. The final step in our car detailing process is to leave the car overnight with an ozone generator to further break down and remove lingering smoke particles trapped in the upholstery, carpets, and air vents.
Ozone is a gas molecule comprised of three oxygen atoms. It chemically reacting with odor-causing molecules in the air, altering their chemical structure and neutralizing the odors. When ozone comes into contact with odors, it breaks them down into simpler, less odorous compounds. This makes it an effective tool when working to eliminate odors. When we use an ozone generator as part of a car detailing service, we keep the car over night to give the gas ample time to break down the smell.
Call us at 770-833-8102 if you’re looking for an car odor removal service in the Athens, GA area.
Leftover bits of food have a knack for hiding in our cars. A car detail can solve the problem.
If you’re like most people, you eat in your car. Life is busy, and busy people (and their kids) need on-the-go snacks and meals. Unfortunately, eating in cars can lead to unpleasant odors lingering inside the vehicle. Food particles can easily drop onto seats and floors, where they get trapped and decompose over time. The warmth inside the car creates an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive, further intensifying the smell. Spills can also occur, causing liquids to seep into upholstery or carpeting, resulting in a lasting aroma. Just about everybody has some Chik-fil-A fries underneath the driver’s seat, or a new brown splotches of dried coffee somewhere in their interior. If you have kids, you probably have more than your fair share of Goldfish or Cheerios lurking deep in the crevices of your back seat.
When it comes to tackling odors in cars caused by food, professional car detailing offers an effective solution. As one of the best car detailers in Athens, GA, we have the expertise and tools to thoroughly clean and deodorize all surfaces where food particles may have accumulated, such as upholstery, carpets, and air vents. One of our first tactics is a compressed air blow-out. When beginning a car detail service, we use a compressed air gun to kick up all kinds of particles that are floating around in your car’s carpet, upholstery, and small crevices. You’d be amazed to see how much stuff can be removed with powerful, directed air. Once the blow-out is complete, we use a vacuum to remove all of the bits that the compressed air dislodged. Vacuuming is one of the most time-intensive parts of our car details because it truly has an enormous impact on helping a car to smell and feel fresh again. Next, we use specialized cleaning products to break down food residue that may be stuck or dried onto the surfaces. By addressing the root cause of food-related odors, car detailing can effectively restore a pleasant environment inside the vehicle.
If we can tell that kids have been riding in the car, we’ll usually pull out the car seats and clean underneath. You’d be amazed at how many small kid and toddler snacks can wiggle their way into crevices of the car. There might be Goldfish or yogurt melts hiding underneath the upholstery itself. On a warm day, that’s bound to smell!
During our time providing car detailing services in Athens, GA, we’ve seen some pretty extreme cases of forgotten food smelling up cars. For example, a roll of raw sausage can easily escape a grocery bag placed in the floorboard. If it rolls up under one of the seats and disappears from plain sight, it’s easy to see how you might think it just got left at the store. After several weeks of bacterial activity inside the packaging, the sausage roll could easily burst in the car. Just in the same way, half-consumed bottles of milk and formula can easily make their way underneath a seat and disappear.
Vomit is an unfortunate but classic example of food residue causing odor in a car. If someone threw up in your car, get it to a professional car detailer like Hunt for Details as soon as you can. It’s not our favorite job, but it’s what we’re here for.
Call us at 770-833-8102 if you need vomit cleaned out of your car in the Athens, GA area.
Pets are awesome, but they smell. If your pets ride in your car, you probably need a detail.
Pets can cause cars to smell due to their fur shedding and leaving behind dander, which can accumulate in the vehicle's upholstery. Not to mention, pets may also contribute to unpleasant odors in cars by drooling, urinating, or even vomiting during car rides. The combination of these factors can result in a lingering and sometimes hard-to-remove smell that can be off-putting to passengers. Because we live with our pets full-time, its usually hard to notice just how much they smell. You go nose-blind to it! But other people can easily pick up on a car that carries animals regularly. Regular cleaning and maintenance, such as vacuuming, using air fresheners, and spot-cleaning any accidents promptly, can help prevent and address pet-related odors in cars.
To effectively remove pet odor from cars, several steps can be taken. We begin these car details by thoroughly vacuuming the interior to remove any pet hair or dander. Next, we thoroughly clean the upholstery and carpet with material-specific cleaners. For stubborn odors, we often use an enzymatic cleaner specifically designed to break down organic matter such as urine or feces. If you regularly carry your pets in your car, it would be advised to have your car regularly cleaned or detailed. Consistency in cleaning and addressing any accidents promptly are key to keeping pet odors at bay.
One of the most unique car details we ever completed was the task of removing the awful stench of Ball Python urine. Have you ever smelled that? Unfortunately, we have. These snakes pee as a defense mechanism when they feel threatened, and one customer experienced exactly that while trying to take her beloved pet to the vet.
Much more commonly, we’re given the task of removing immense amounts of dog hair and dander from the carpet and upholstery. You would think that that’s an easy vacuum job, but it often requires a lot of time and skill. The hair works its way into the fibers of carpet and upholstery acting almost like a velcro. Removing a lot of pet hair is a big job, and definitely one for a professional car detailer.
Call us at 770-833-8102 if you’re riding around in a dirty dog hauler in Athens, GA area and need a refresh.
Was your car rained in, in a big way? You need a professional car detailer, ASAP.
Cars can accidentally get water damage from a variety of scenarios. Leaving windows or sunroofs open during rainstorms can allow water to seep into the interior, damaging electronic components and upholstery. Driving through flooded streets can cause water to enter the engine through the air intake or exhaust system, leading to catastrophic engine failure. Poorly sealed doors or windows can also let water leak into the vehicle during car washes or heavy rains. Additionally, parking in areas prone to flooding increases the risk of water damage to a car's vital systems. Regular maintenance checks to ensure proper seals and drainage systems can help prevent costly water damage to vehicles.
Water damage in a car can lead to a foul smell due to the growth of mold and mildew. When water seeps into the carpet, seats, or padding, it creates a damp environment where mold spores thrive. As mold continues to grow, it releases musty odors that can be challenging to eliminate. Additionally, water damage can also reach the car's insulation, headliner, and air conditioning system, further exacerbating the smell. If left unaddressed, the persistent odor from water damage can create an unpleasant driving experience for the car's occupants.
Water damage in a car can pose serious health risks to the driver. When mold and mildew take hold in a car, they release spores into the air . Inhalation of these spores can cause respiratory issues, allergic reactions, and other health problems. Additionally, water damage can also lead to corrosion of electrical components in the car, increasing the risk of malfunctions or even fires. It is crucial for drivers to address any water damage in their vehicles promptly to avoid potential health hazards and safety concerns while on the road.
As one of the best car detailers in Athens, Georgia, we’re experienced with these situations and employ various techniques to mitigate water damage in a car. After a thorough exterior wash, we use specialized equipment like high-powered blowers to carefully dry all nooks and crannies to prevent water from seeping into sensitive electrical components. As part of the car detail service, we also utilize microfiber towels to absorb excess water and prevent water spots from forming on the vehicle's surface. Additionally, we pay close attention to door seals and weather stripping, ensuring that these areas are properly dried to prevent rust and corrosion. By being meticulous in their approach to drying, professional car detailers help protect the vehicle from potential water damage issues in the future.
Call us at 770-833-8102 ASAP if your car was rained in. We’re here to help in the Athens, GA area.
Strange little noises and weird smells? Your car might have a rodent infestation.
Cars can become infested with rodents when these small creatures seek shelter and warmth in the vehicle during cold weather or rainy seasons. Rodents can enter cars through small openings such as vents, gaps in the bodywork, or through the undercarriage. Once inside, they may gnaw on various components of the vehicle, including wiring, upholstery, and insulation, causing damage and creating safety hazards. The presence of food crumbs or spills in a car can also attract rodents looking for a food source. Proper preventative measures such as keeping the car clean, parking away from areas with high rodent populations, or using rodent repellents can help reduce the risk of infestations.
If you suspect a rodent infestation in your car, there are several signs to watch out for. One common indicator is the presence of chewed-up materials like paper, fabric, or wiring. You may also notice small droppings around the vehicle or come across nests made from shredded materials. Unusual odors, particularly the scent of urine, can also point to a rodent problem. Additionally, hearing squeaking or rustling sounds while driving or finding paw prints on surfaces inside the car are red flags. If you notice any of these signs, it's crucial to address the infestation promptly to prevent further damage.
The presence of rodents in a car can result in various unpleasant smells. The musty odor of their urine and feces can quickly permeate the interior of the vehicle, creating a persistent stench. Additionally, rodents may bring in food items to the car, which can rot and produce a foul smell. Eventually, when the rodent(s) perish, the biological decomposition will impose its own overwhelming odor. The combination of these odors can be overwhelming and difficult to remove, even with thorough cleaning. It is essential to address rodent infestations promptly to prevent further damage and eliminate the associated smells effectively.
At Hunt for Details, we’re experienced with mitigating rodent infestations and their accompanying odors. First, we conduct a detailed check of the car's interior and exterior for any signs of rodent activity, such as droppings, nests, or chewed materials. It often takes a lot of work to find and uncover the rodent nest. They’re almost never in plain sight, but instead buried deeper in the inner-workings of the car. We carefully remove the nest and any remains. We remove any debris, food remnants, or clutter that may attract rodents. Moving into the car detailing process, we use a vacuum with various attachments to clean hard-to-reach areas where rodents may hide. We sanitize all surfaces with a disinfectant to eliminate any lingering odors or bacteria that could attract rodents. In some cases, we may use an ozone generator overnight to further breakdown potentially harmful molecules in the car. Finally, we recommend regular maintenance and cleaning practices to the car owner to prevent future infestations.
Call us at 770-833-8102 ASAP if you suspect a rodent infestation in your car in the Athens, GA area.