How do you keep your car smelling nice?

That depends on how the outside air smells. I drive by a county dump, ranch with cows, and road kills all the time. You can't pay me to use fresh air.

 

Hey all, when did the test-drive at the time of purchase the car does not have a new car smell. We even commented on it. Then after we signed the paper, dealer prep the car, we came back in and the car has a noticeable new car smell. Maybe that was all in my own head?
Anywho, stopped by a Casino from a roadtrip and now the interior of the car is smelling horrible. We've done this before and that has never happened. Trying to air it out and it's not working.

 

I use a product called Scentsy Weathered Leather. It comes in small travel tins. Very good rendition of leather scent. Great product, however, a little pricey.

 

I think some dealers us some kind of electric air ionizer purifier. I think they let it run for a few hours inside car with windows shut. I may be wrong but this is what I can kind of remember.

 

Maybe something like this? I have never used this or any kind of air purifier.
Ozone Generators

 

Insist to your passengers that farting in the car increases fuel consumption. (jk)

I use coffee beans in the cup holder of the middle compartment & sandalwood air freshener sachet bags.

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Hopefully, the car was not inhabited by a little critter prior to purchase. It's odd that such a new car would smell offensive. I have heard stories of mice getting into the gen II Prii and causing havoc.

I recently purchased a certified used Prius 2 weeks ago. The interior of the car had an odd smell. I tried everything to eradicate the odor. Here is what finally worked - a Yankee candle (pick a scent that you like) left on the floor of the passenger side with the lid removed. Put it in a small box to keep it from tipping over and rolling around. My rules are the same as what others have written - no eating in the car, no garbage in car, all personal items removed from the car every day.

I also fold heavy duty thick cotton bath in half towels to cover the floor mats. I shake them out and wash them when dirty and/or wet. I never have to vacuum the car. Just a light touch-up once a year. I put folded towels on the seats as well. After 167,000 mi (and still going) on my first Prius, the bisque interior looks showroom new. ​

 

I don't allow anyone to smoke in it and I take the garbage out with me. I eat in my car a lot - the key is to not leave the detritus in the vehicle upon exit.

 

^^^ This, plus no pets, and I leave the window down to air out food smell when I eat in my car. I don't use my car as a spare closet like a lot of people I know. I don't leave dirty shoes, clothes, etc in the car. I've never had to use an air freshener, but I always get comment from people that my car still smells new 5 years after I bought it.