9 Ways to Remove Perfume Smells From Your Car

Whether you’re testing out a new fragrance or have spilled a scented product in your vehicle, trying to remove perfume smells from your car can be a minefield. 

Sometimes, it’s not as simple as using a clean cloth and water, or an anti-bacterial wipe – trust us, we’ve tried several methods of smell removal!

Luckily, we’ve found a few handy tricks that work to remove perfume smells from your car. 

Here, we’ll reveal the best methods, as well as show you how to neutralize the smell of perfume so you can enjoy a fresh aroma every time you step into your vehicle!

How to remove perfume smells from your car

To remove perfume smells from your car, try the following methods:

Air out your car

The first step is to air out your car by opening all the windows and doors. This enables fresh air to circulate throughout the interiors which can help to remove perfume smells from your car. It’s best to do this on a breezy day – if it’s a warm temperature outside, try one of the other methods that will be more effective in eliminating odors. 

Use air freshener

A car air freshener or scented tree can help mask the perfume smell. You can also try using natural air fresheners, such as essential oils or dried herbs, to help neutralize the perfume smell. 

For a DIY air freshener, use a piece of felt with a string attached to it. Then, dip the felt into an essential oil blend of rosemary, lavender and chamomile. Alternatively, you could simply add 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil onto the felt fabric. 

Leave the essential oil to dry for 10-15 minutes and then tie the string to anywhere inside your car – leaving it close to the perfume aroma will be best!

Vacuum your car

Vacuum your car thoroughly, paying special attention to the seats and carpets. This can help to remove any lingering perfume smells and keep your car clean.

Use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner to gently remove dirt from the seams and crevices of the seats.

If you have car mats, make sure you remove these first and give them a good shake to remove any crumbs or dirt. 

Use a car upholstery cleaner

A commercial car upholstery cleaner is usually scented, leaving a pleasant aroma within your vehicle. 

You can also try using a commercial odor eliminator too, if the perfume smell persists. 

First, blot the solution into the fabric of your car upholstery using a clean, absorbent cloth, and then let it sit for several minutes to allow the cleaning solution to work.

Once the upholstery cleaner has had a chance to work, blot the seats with a second clean, damp cloth to remove any excess solution and dirt. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing the seats, as this can damage the fabric.

Allow the seats to air dry completely, and then vacuum the seats again to remove any remaining dirt or debris.

If you prefer a homemade solution to help neutralize the smell, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, and then spray the solution onto the surfaces of your car. This can help to leave your car smelling fresh and clean

How do you neutralize the smell of perfume?

Essential oils can be effective at neutralizing the smell of perfume because they have natural deodorizing and freshening properties. 

To use essential oils to neutralize perfume smells, try the following steps:

1. Start by choosing an essential oil that has a fresh, zingy scent, such as lemon, lavender, or peppermint. You can also mix two or more essential oils together to create a custom scent.
2. Fill a small spray bottle with distilled water and add several drops of the essential oil to the water. You can adjust the amount of essential oil depending on the strength of the perfume smell and your personal preference of essential oil aroma. 
3. Shake the spray bottle well to mix the essential oil and water together.
4. Spray the solution onto surfaces and/or upholstery in your car, making sure to cover the area evenly.
5. Allow the solution to air dry, and then repeat the process if needed.

You can also use essential oils in a small travel diffuser, or add them to a bowl of water and leave in your car for a couple of hours to mask the perfume scent. 

Using charcoal to remove perfume smells in your car

Charcoal is brilliant for neutralizing smells because it has natural absorbent properties. When charcoal comes into contact with odors, it can absorb and trap the odors, effectively removing them from the air. 

To use charcoal to remove perfume smells in your car, do the following:

1. Start by purchasing activated charcoal, which is a type of charcoal that has been treated to make it more porous and absorbent. You can find activated charcoal at many home improvement stores or online.
2. Place the activated charcoal in an open container, such as a bowl or a jar. The container should be large enough to hold the charcoal and allow it to come into contact with the air.
3. Place the container of activated charcoal in your car where the smell is present. The charcoal will begin to absorb and neutralize the odors in the air.
4. Allow the activated charcoal to sit in your car for several hours or overnight, and then discard it once it has absorbed the odors.
5. Repeat the process as needed to neutralize any lingering smells.

You can also add essential oils or other natural fragrances to the charcoal to help mask any remaining odors.

Using baking soda to remove perfume smells in your car

Baking soda is another ingredient with natural absorbent properties. 

Here’s how you can use baking soda to remove perfume smells in your car:

1. Purchase a pot of baking soda and empty it into a bowl or jar. Do not cover it – it’s important that you leave it open to absorb the perfume smells.
2. Place the bowl or jar in your car, close to where the perfume smell is. 
3. Leave it for a couple of hours or overnight, if you can. 
4. Remove the bowl or jar and discard the baking soda. 
5. If the perfume smell is still lingering, repeat the process or add a couple of drops of essential oil, such as lavender or lemon to provide a fresh aroma. 

If you’ve spilled perfume onto your car seats or floor, you can also use baking soda as a natural deodorizer in small amounts. Simply sprinkle a small amount of the baking soda onto the seats of your car, and then vacuum it up after a few hours to remove the odor.

How to use alcohol to remove perfume smells from your car

Alcohol is effective at neutralizing smells as it can dissolve and break down the odors, effectively removing them from the air. 

To use alcohol to eliminate the scent of perfume, try the following:

1. Start by purchasing a high-proof alcohol, such as vodka or rubbing alcohol, from your local grocery store or pharmacy.
2. Fill a spray bottle with 1 part alcohol  and 1 part water, and shake it well to mix the alcohol and water together.
3. Spray the alcohol solution onto surfaces or upholstery in your car. 
4. Allow the alcohol solution to air dry, and then repeat the process as needed to neutralize the smell.

It’s important to use alcohol carefully and avoid getting it on your skin or in your eyes as it can be irritating or damaging. You should also avoid using alcohol near open flames or heat sources since it’s flammable.

Using dried herbs to eliminate perfume smells from your car

Some common herbs to neutralize perfume smells include:

• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Lemon balm
• Fennel
• Cedar
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Eucalyptus

Using the dried herbs of your choice, place them in an open bowl or small jar – you can also mix these dried herbs with a little baking soda too!

Place the bowl or jar on the dashboard of your car, or on one of the seats, and leave overnight. This should help to neutralize any perfume smells and leave the interior of your car smelling incredible!