Baking soda: The secret to getting rid of bad smells in the car

It is easy to find at home; it is an antacid product that relieves heartburn, and it also serves as a cleaner, thanks to its power to remove grease. And although many would not imagine it, it is also useful in the car. Baking soda is part of a list of household products that can be quite useful — just like those silica gel balls that are usually thrown in the garbage by people that do not know about their anti-humidity properties.

Cigarette

The main purpose of baking soda in the car is to get rid of bad smells caused by pets, smoke or humidity, among other things. In the case of tobacco, the trick is simple: just leave a glass with the white powder inside the vehicle for approximately 12 hours.

Vomit

Before you do anything else, it is very important to remove any solid vomit remains. There are many things you can use to do this, from a kitchen spatula to a couple of rigid cards. Dog poop bags will also do the trick. If it is not too liquid, you can collect the vomit with a pair of rubber gloves. For the drier pieces, you can use a few paper towels. Then the next steps are:

Dry the surface. After getting rid of any solid remains, an absorbent cloth should be used to eliminate moisture. This will prevent it from penetrating and impregnating the seat’s fabric or foams.

Add baking soda. As mentioned above, if something can absorb moisture and odors, it is baking soda. Add a small amount to the vomit area and let it act for about half an hour. Afterward, a vacuum cleaner must be used to remove all remains.

Rinse the area. The best option for deep cleaning is to use water and vinegar if the upholstery is textile, or water and baking soda if it is leather. Pour the mixture onto a microfiber cloth, rub thoroughly and finish by rinsing with a cloth moistened with water.

Let it dry. The last step is the most important. The entire area that has been cleaned must be allowed to dry well. The best option is to do it naturally, without using things like hair dryers. It is best to open the doors and windows so the humidity can evaporate completely.

Moisture in the mats

To clean the mats thoroughly and remove the musty smell, first you need to shake them out and wash them with detergent. Afterward, make a paste with baking soda and water and apply it to the mats for a few minutes to take care of any residues. Then you just have to rinse it.

If the humidity is inside the car (in the trunk or the upholstery in general), as in the case of vomit, you can sprinkle baking soda and leave it there for a few hours. Then vacuum it and the smell will decrease noticeably.

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