A Smelly Car Is An Angry Car

Menthol delights

Ammonia in the Morning

While it can be said that fixing a vehicle is more important than the cosmetics of said vehicle, there is nothing more irritating than a smelly interior.  Let's take the Toyota Corolla I currently own.  I bought it from someone who had a penchant for smoking menthol cigarettes.  I'm not being judgmental, but nothing smells quite as crappy as a menthol tobacco smell all over the car ( almost like being in an anti-tobacco ad right?) I am currently trying to fix up this smell-mobile so I gave some thought to getting rid of the smell.

First up was baking soda.  Nice mess.  Looks like it snowed inside my toyota. It didn't work either.

Next, I tried boric acid powder.  See above.

Finally, on the advice of a car detailer I knew some years back, I set an open bowl of ammonia on a seat and closed all the doors and windows and went to bed (bed is optional, but it was late and I was done).

Morning time and I hit a cup of coffee (essential for zen car repair) and checked the corolla. Upon opening the door, I was hit with a gust of ammonia.  If I wasn't awake before then, I was now.  After leaving the car doors open for a few minutes, I poked my head in and took a big whiff.  Smell gone.  I don't know how it works, but it does.  I was just glad I didn't have to smoke menthol cigs while driving or fixing the car.