http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/images/smOld wives remedy for new car smell

[knuckle ears]

I purchased my 93Transport a couple months ago. I have replaced several components and fixed alot of problems. Still working on a few. My wife has a 91 Lumina APV and it runs like a charm. Not a single problem. Not sure why.

My vehicle was from the west coast and I think it belonged to a orchard farming family. Needless to say when I got it, the carpets were very dirty, along with the upholstery.

I shampooed and shampooed but would always have a soapy smell and then a few days later a dirty laundry smell, musty.

After seaching the net I found a remedy that works very well. The van smells 100% and cost is minimal. Short of taking it to a detail company and having them wash and scrub for 200.00 to 300.00 dollars, try this.

- Rent uphostery/ carpet cleaning machine from local mart , 40.00 wkend.
With upholstery attachment. Clean your carpets at home too.

- Purchase along with machine, carpet shampoo. 10.00

- Get laundry soap from your wash machine area at home 0.00

- purchase baking soda from local mart 1 boxe 2.00

- Purchase 1 bottle lemon juice 400 mls 3.00

Instructions:

Use carpet shampooer and shampoo all carpets and upholstery with laundry soap and 2mls bleach to 20 liters water and soap. It sudes up somewhat but thats okay. Hot water please. Dump soap and refill with clean cold water and very lightly clean again. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Shampoo again with regular carpet shampoo according to their instructions. Hot water please. Dump soap and refill with cold water and very lightly clean again.

The most important step next is to now mix your baking soda in the shampooer pail. Mix 1/2 box of baking soda with 15 to 20 litres of hot water. This would be a box the size of a cigarette pack but wider. Shampoo as normal and let sit for 15 minutes. Dump soda water. Don't lightly clean again. The soda absorbs the smell.

Now refill your shampooer with clean hot water and add 1/2 bottle of lemon juice to 15 to 20 litres water. Shampoo once again. Don't lightly clean anymore.

My van doesn't smell like soap or air fresheners anymore but smells clean. I was impessed.
The site also says if you want the new car smell, purchase a spray can of foam sealant for house drafts. This has urea formaldihyde in it and that is what all vehicle plastics and carpets and glue has in it. Fill an ice cream pail full and let dry. Put in back seat and you have the new car smell. Beware that this chemical is know to cause dizzyness and many new homes and office builings have the " new building syndrome". If too strong, put the lid on and punch a few holes in it.

(it is also the chemical they imbalm your dead body with)

I stopped at the lemon juce.