9/10

If you’re a fan of Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day natural home cleaning products, check out the company’s air freshener sachets that you can toss in your car trunk or slide under your seats. These all-natural, cruelty-free sachets, made from repurposed wood and essential oils, are safe for kids, pets and the environment. They last up to 60 days.

Pros

• Made from renewable ingredients
• Lasts up to 60 days
• Available in three different scents
• Cruelty-free

Cons

• Not yet available in the brand’s popular honeysuckle or geranium scents

10/10

If your car vents blast a stream of foul-smelling air every time you turn them on, try Armor All’s Fresh FX Rapid Odor Eliminator.

Roll up your windows, set your air conditioner on high and place the canister on the console. Activate it and get out of the car. The penetrating fog goes deep into the air vents to find and eliminate odors. Wait 15 minutes, turn off the car and open the windows and doors to allow fog to dissipate. No cleanup is needed.

Pros

• Works instantly
• Removes light dirt in ductwork
• Eliminates dust
• Easy-to-follow instructions

Cons

• Perfumed scent is strong for a few days before settling down

What to Consider When Buying Car Air Fresheners

Farrell says that when considering a new car air freshener, there are a few questions to ask yourself: How strong do you want the smell to be? How long do you want it to last before you need a new one?

When it comes to scents, ensure that the air freshener you choose is something you can live with for a while. Farrell also warns that it’s a good idea to check if it has anything that might bother your allergies. “It’s good to pick something that smells nice without being overpowering, in case scents bother you or your passengers,” he says.

The size of your car matters, too. “Those little ones probably won’t cut it for a big van or SUV,” notes Farrell. “You’ll want to choose one that’s easy to use however you want based on your car. A clip might work better than a hanging one in a small car where space is tight,”

Why You Should Trust Us

I’m a licensed electrician and freelance writer living in Dallas, Texas. Emily Way is an associate shopping editor for Family Handyman with experience researching products and recommending the best designs to consumers. She researched and updated this piece. Way interviewed Jason Farrell, a certified master technician at Mechanic’s Diary. Farrell has 18 years of experience working on domestic, European and foreign vehicles. He is ASE-certified and has a bachelor’s degree in automotive technology from Pittsburg State University.

How We Found the Best Car Air Fresheners

To ensure we listed the best car air fresheners available, we first spoke to experts to draw up our criteria. All odors have different causes, so we chose a wide range of picks that address every issue. Some folks struggle with offensive odors that require intense air scrubbing, while others just add a little ambiance.

Wherever you fall on the spectrum, we found a car air freshener type and intensity for every kind of driver. Shopping experts vetted each pick on the list. We read through hundreds of first-hand reviews found on trusted sites like Amazon, Walmart and Target to discover our top suggestions.

FAQs

While car air fresheners aren’t bad for you per se, it’s always good to check for chemicals and additives if that’s something you’re sensitive to.

“It’s smarter to choose air fresheners made with natural ingredients or weaker scents,” notes Farrell. “Don’t forget to crack a window every now and then for some fresh air flow. That way you aren’t stuck inhaling it non-stop, which could give you breathing problems.”

Where should I put an air freshener in my car?

Where an air freshener should sit depends on which kind it is, according to Farrell. For the cardboard ones that hang, most people hook them on the rearview mirror since that’s easy. The clip-on ones go on the air vents so the smell spreads around the whole car from there. The gel ones are good for flatter spots like the dashboard or a cup holder.

“But no matter what, don’t put it somewhere that’ll get in your way while driving or mess with any of the controls. Safety first! The goal is to have the smell spread nice and evenly without issues. You have to make sure everyone can still see and you can still drive smoothly,” he says.

How do I get an air freshener smell out of my car?

Overdo it on the scents? Farrell has a tried-and-true method for airing things out.

“First thing is to take out whatever was making the smell—like removing one of those hanging trees or emptying a spray can. Then you want to air that puppy out real good. Roll down all the windows even when you’re not driving for a bit.”

“Baking soda or activated charcoal can help absorb the stink too if you leave some around,” he says. “Be sure to give everything a good vacuum and wipe down as much as you can reach too—under the seats, ceiling, everywhere. That’ll remove a lot of it right away. Sometimes even with all that, the smell sticks around—then you might need one of those pro detailers to really deep clean everything and rip the scent out for good. It’s worth it to get that fresh start if nothing else is working!”