How to Remove Severe Leather Odor in the Car?
3 Answers
Methods to deal with severe leather odor in the car include applying leather formaldehyde-removing care liquid, frequently opening windows for ventilation, using Maya Blue formaldehyde-removing material, using shoe polish to eliminate odors, and wiping with white vinegar. Applying leather formaldehyde-removing care liquid: If there are leather seat covers in the car, the odor can be very strong, and the amount of formaldehyde released is also significant. Applying leather formaldehyde-removing care liquid to the leather areas can effectively break down the formaldehyde. Frequently opening windows for ventilation: For the first six months after purchasing a new car or after decorating, it is advisable to develop the habit of driving with windows slightly open to maintain fresh air circulation inside the car. Using Maya Blue formaldehyde-removing material: Using Maya Blue formaldehyde-removing material can adsorb the odors emitted by formaldehyde and other substances in the car, and it can "fight" these odors over the long term with excellent results. Drivers can purchase some and place it in the trunk or corners of the rear seats. If there are leather seat covers in the car, applying leather formaldehyde-removing care liquid to the leather areas can also effectively break down the formaldehyde. Using shoe polish to eliminate odors. Using shoe polish to eliminate odors: Squeeze high-quality shoe polish onto a tissue and place it in the car to let the shoe polish scent dilute the genuine leather odor. Wiping with white vinegar: Wiping with white vinegar and then opening the windows for ventilation can significantly reduce the odor.
When we first bought our car, the leather seats had a really strong smell that made people dizzy. I found the most reliable method was to ventilate by opening the windows every day, and even cracking the sunroof when parked in the garage. For the first two weeks, I drove the car to an open area every noon, opened all doors and windows, and let it bake in the sun for an hour—UV rays naturally disinfect and eliminate odors. I stuffed seven or eight bamboo charcoal bags into the seat crevices and placed two boxes of activated charcoal in the trunk, replacing them monthly. I also used a 1:10 white vinegar and water solution sprayed on a damp cloth to wipe the seats twice a week—the acetic acid helps neutralize leather odor molecules. A friend suggested spreading coffee grounds under the floor mats and hanging dried tea bags on the air vents, which worked wonders as natural adsorbents without damaging the leather. Now, there’s basically no noticeable odor.
As a seasoned car enthusiast with over a decade of experience, I tackle leather odor in three steps. For immediate relief, use an ozone generator (the kind that costs around 100 yuan at auto parts stores) and run it in a closed cabin for half an hour to break down odors. For mid-term treatment, rely on professional photocatalytic spray, focusing on seat creases and dashboard gaps, and activate it with a UV flashlight. For long-term maintenance, develop good habits: have the car wash staff use leather conditioner for deep cleaning, replace the activated carbon cabin air filter every six months, and always engage air recirculation when parked. Avoid masking odors with chemical fragrances—it only makes things worse. I recommend getting a car air purifier with TVOC detection to monitor air quality in real time. This three-step process has been tested and proven to completely eliminate odors within three months.
