Rev up the luxury: These pro tips will make your car smell like a 5-star hotel

Yahoo

4 days ago

Our sense of smell has an outsized power to shape our memories. Just ask Marcel Proust, legions of neurologists ... or me. I'll never forget my first experience sitting inside a Mercedes S-Class. I found myself enveloped in an aroma that I can only describe as "luxurious." It wasn't "new car smell" but an elegant, discrete perfume that seriously enhanced the time spent in that car. It reminded me of staying in a nice hotel or getting dressed up and going to dinner at a fancy restaurant.
I've long forgotten the name of that scent, but I'll never forget the class it exuded the moment I plunked myself down. While I won't be driving a Mercedes S-Class again anytime soon, in my decade as a car expert, I've learned a few tricks — namely that you can make any car feel a little bit more luxurious and a whole lot more spa-fresh. With a little bit of upkeep and a few tried and true tools, your car may not be a Mercedes on the outside, but it'll come a whole lot closer to feeling like one on the inside.
I know, I know, what fun is that? Actually, cleaning? I hate to say it, but no amount of scent is going to mask the rotting French fries you have under the seat. Luckily, it doesn't take much to clean out a vehicle. A regular once-over with a car vacuum will keep the buildup of pet hair and stale Cheerios to a minimum. And an over-the-seat garbage can like this one will keep wrappers (and stinky scents) from accumulating.
Unless you never plan to eat at a drive-thru or jump in the car after a day at the beach, you're going to need something to combat odors. You don't just want to mask nasty scents, you want to eliminate and neutralize them. That means updating your filters and keeping some odor absorbers on hand.
Forget those little fragrance trees hanging from your rearview mirror. They emit a chemical smell and, honestly, their scents are way too strong. There are many better options out there that smell better, last longer and won't hinder your view of the road.
Looking for a scent solution that is long-lasting, customizable, and will make your car feel a bit more like a spa? A diffuser is what you want. These devices release a scented essential oil into the air, much like a perfume. Available in both a powered version that releases aromas into the air in predetermined intervals or a passive vent clip that utilizes your vehicle's HVAC to fragrance the air.
Just like you use fragrance sprays for your home, you can use them in the car. It is important to note that, no matter how big of a ride you pilot, your vehicle is much more compact than your home, so a little fragrance goes a long way.