How to Remove Odors From a Car Trunk

Car trunks can be extremely smelly.

Car trunks can be the worst smelling part of any car. Many different things are often thrown into the trunk and forgotten about, causing the smell to get worse and worse. Removing the smell from the trunk is a little more difficult than removing the smell from inside the car. There is no ventilation in the trunk, which means it can become musty and very dirty. With a few simple steps, that bad smell can be removed in no time.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Bucket
• Soap
• Rags
• Brush
• Baking soda
• Hand vacuum
• Bowl
• White vinegar
• Air freshener

Instructions

1. Open the trunk of the car and expose it to air. Inspect the trunk to determine the smell's cause. Remove everything from the trunk and put it aside where it can remain for several days until the trunk is clean. Clean off everything that was in the trunk thoroughly with soap and water if possible. Wipe down anything that cannot be cleaned or get wet.

2. Check the inside of the trunk to make sure it is dry. Sprinkle the entire inside of the trunk with a heavy amount of baking soda. Brush the baking soda around the trunk to obtain full coverage. Cover the entire carpeted area and let it sit for a few hours to absorb the smelly odor.

3. Vacuum the baking soda with a hand vacuum. Sweep up all of the baking soda. Make sure to get into the crevices where the baking soda may have gotten.

4. Fill a bowl with white vinegar and set it in the center of the trunk. Shut the trunk and leave the bowl there for a day or two to remove the smell that still remains. Leave the car parked and do not drive it while the vinegar is in the trunk .

5. Spray everything that was in the trunk with air freshener before putting the items back. If any item still smells, do not put it back or the problem will return. Shut the trunk once everything has been put back.

Tips & Warnings

• Always clean the trunk of the car in an outside, well-ventilated area so the smell can be removed easier.

References

• The Dollar Stretcher: Removing Odors in Your Car

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish