Where the odor bomb comes in
After the cleaning, we use an odor bomb. With the car closed, it fills the cabin and reaches the vents, seams and fabric that a towel can’t. Then we air the car out before you get it back.
It’s a $99 add-on to any detail. It works best on a clean interior, so we usually pair it with an interior detail. If dog hair is part of the smell, our pet hair removal comes first.
We also clean the parts of the car that people forget. Floor mats, seat rails, the trunk lining and the spare tire well can all hold odor. So can the cabin air filter, which pushes air through the vents every time the fan runs. If yours looks dirty, we’ll mention it so you or your mechanic can replace it.
Why Roseville heat makes it worse
On a hot Roseville afternoon, a car parked in an open lot by the Galleria or at the office gets much hotter inside than it is outside. Heat pulls odor out of fabric and foam, so a smell you barely noticed in spring can fill the car by August.
That heat is also why spills turn sour so fast. A cup of milk tipped over on the way to school can smell bad by the end of the day. The sooner it’s cleaned, the easier it is to get out completely.
Commuters see a version of this too. Coffee drips, fast food bags and gym clothes left in the back seat during a long week on I-80 add up. A quick clean on the weekend stops a small smell from soaking in.
Buying, selling or returning a car
Smell is one of the first things people notice in a used car. If you just bought a car from a smoker or a pet owner, a deep clean and odor treatment can make it feel like yours.
If you’re selling, trading in or turning in a lease, a fresh-smelling cabin makes a much better first impression. Book a few days ahead so there’s time to air out the car fully.
Leased cars are worth a special mention. Smoke and pet odor can lead to extra charges at turn-in on some leases. Check your lease terms, and give yourself time for a deep clean and treatment before the return date.
What to expect
Most odors drop a lot or go away once the source is cleaned and the cabin is treated. Years of heavy smoking can take more than one round. A musty smell caused by a leak will come back unless the leak is fixed, and if we find signs of mold, we’ll talk with you about our mold cleanup instead. We’ll tell you what we think is realistic before we begin.
