[akuwes710]

Hi guys, may not be our usual subject, but please share your experience on using any kind of air freshener, and other ways to keep the interior fresh (aside from a given fact of changing cabin filters as directed)

I don't have the ambient air, and so alternatively i use the bmw natural air sticks (favorite scents: purifying green tea & balancing amber)… additionally i have one activated bamboo charcoal under the seat.

I read that a lot of air fresheners have VOCs, and they don't need to disclose whats in it… so there's a concern of inhaling unknown chemicals too.

Do share what you know!

[smacky]

I used an Ozium gel and spray. Gel stays in the car, once in a while I'll spray once in the front and once in the back. I think it's a bit more than a cover up for smells and I've read it binds the stink and neutralizes it that way.

Otherwise, I used to place one charcoal briquette in the net by the footwell and it kind of worked but I think it was a week or two before the charcoal adsorbed enough and had to be replaced. It also looks ghetto as hell if someone looks down and sees it. But it worked somewhat.

[AP]

No
Never felt the need to , never been anything in the car to create any unwanted smells.

If some ever comes up with a new car smell freshener I'd be interested though!

[Joe-BMW33]

I detail my interior so often, the products I use give off a nice fresh clean smell.

[Bob in IL]

Originally Posted by AP

No
Never felt the need to , never been anything in the car to create any unwanted smells.

If some ever comes up with a new car smell freshener I'd be interested though!

Same here. I prefer just the smell of a nice clean interior.

[paquet]

Serious question - are these fresheners "safe"?
for instance, now the conventional wisdom is that the 'new car smell' is actually toxic in a way

[AP]

Yes I'm sure the new car smell is basically vapour from glues and other materials.

I don't drink or smoke so for me my fix is new car smell!

[akuwes710]

Originally Posted by packet

Serious question - are these fresheners "safe"?
for instance, now the conventional wisdom is that the 'new car smell' is actually toxic in a way

Yeah i was hoping someone knows how safe these fresheners are…

[Joe-BMW33]

If I had to go with an air freshener, I used to like the Leather smelling Christmas trees. Sometimes I would put them in the cabin filter boxes on my E39, but it was often too strong. Like I said, I like the smell of my detailing products, especially Duragloss Leather and Vinyl Dressing.

[dlf750]

I once got a leather air freshener, not exactly cheap and it worked well, just placed it under the driver's seat. Smelled good for quite awhile, can't recall the name. It lookd like a piece of leather that I assume was treated with something. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Joe-BMW33]

I have also used this. I don't like airfreshner's hanging from places. Does not last long though:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TDOGRW4...xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

[txm550i]

Not a fanboy. Really...

BTW, one of Pan's "Pro Tips": Pick your favorite spray air freshener, start the car and turn on the A/C. Spray a light mist down in the footwells. The air intakes will suck it in and put a very light coat on your internal duct work. Voila, every time you turn on your A/C you get a nice pleasant smell (assuming you chose wisely lol).

[maDjzo]

Originally Posted by txm550i

Not a fanboy. Really...

BTW, one of Pan's "Pro Tips": Pick your favorite spray air freshener, start the car and turn on the A/C. Spray a light mist down in the footwells. The air intakes will suck it in and put a very light coat on your internal duct work. Voila, every time you turn on your A/C you get a nice pleasant smell (assuming you chose wisely lol).

Thats what I do, CG Honeydew is a good choice, pleasant smell. Speaking of which I need order another bottle.

[Qsilver7]

I don't use anything...and my vehicles are old...not new like you guys. And both of my vehicles have a distinct and pleasant car aroma with a slight undertone of leather. When I condition the leather seats (usually once or twice a year)...the aroma gets a bit stronger for a few weeks. I'd rather have the natural smell of the car vs an artificial fragrance.

I also wipe down the leather interior...especially the leather dash...with a damp microfiber towel when I wash the car...and I also run the park car ventilation feature if it's hot/humid and I've been running the AC and then pull into a dark garage and close the door, or park anywhere that has low air circulation. This helps evaporate excess moisture from the vents and condenser to help prevent the growth of bacteria and mold which can cause AC funk.

[AP]

I’ve recently tried out the chemical guys new car smell.
With my car a year old, that new car smell has disappeared essentially

It’s probably the closest thing I’ve smelt that is like a new car, it’s not the same but similar
I spray it on the floor mats and it lasts about a month. You notice it when it you get in the car but not afterwards . Reminds me of the zaino z9 leather cleaner I use for the steering wheel, very close to that.

It’s not expensive and should last ages, worth a try in my opinion

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

I don't use anything...and my vehicles are old...not new like you guys. And both of my vehicles have a distinct and pleasant car aroma with a slight undertone of leather. When I condition the leather seats (usually once or twice a year)...the aroma gets a bit stronger for a few weeks. I'd rather have the natural smell of the car vs an artificial fragrance.

I also wipe down the leather interior...especially the leather dash...with a damp microfiber towel when I wash the car...and I also run the park car ventilation feature if it's hot/humid and I've been running the AC and then pull into a dark garage and close the door, or park anywhere that has low air circulation. This helps evaporate excess moisture from the vents and condenser to help prevent the growth of bacteria and mold which can cause AC funk.

It's funny how the E39 has a distinct smell to it. Hard to describe, a little leathery I guess. I'm on my second one and it is remarkable how the newer one smells exactly like the older one. My kids drove the older 2001 one and whenever they in my 2003, they remark on how it smells just like the one they used to drive.

[tjbuggy2b]

It's not an air freshener, per se, but when I live an empty can of Redbull in the cupholder, I enjoy the smell it leave in the car for the next couple of days.

[AP]

Interesting as I am a red bull addict. Full fat or sugar free?

[tjbuggy2b]

Oh, I definitely like diabetes flavor better than cancer flavor. . ...but I go back and forth depending on how gullible I am on a given day.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by tjbuggy2b

Oh, I definitely like diabetes flavor better than cancer flavor. . ...but I go back and forth depending on how gullible I am on a given day.

Misconception. Sugar, in and of itself, doesn't cause diabetes. There are a host of factors, genetics being one. Had to say it...

[tjbuggy2b]

Ok, as one who habitually takes the wind out of people's jokes with technical contrarianism... bravo, I guess?

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I detail my interior so often, the products I use give off a nice fresh clean smell.

Yep. Duragloss on the dash makes the car smell nice and clean for a week or two. I like the way it leaves a dark, clean finish on the Sensatec dash and tops of the door cards.