Chemical Guys New Car Smell Air Freshener Review: Over-hyped or Hype-worthy?

It’s that time of year again—school carpool season. That means my car smells and looks something like a garbage dump covered in sweat, mud and snack wrappers. Instead of daily deep-cleaning, however, I reached for Chemical Guys New Car Smell Air Freshener. With over 31,000 Amazon ratings and an affordable price tag, I expected it to be good. I needed it to be good. Spoiler alert: it’s amazing—especially when you combine its power with one of the best car vacuums and a “carbage” can.

What Is Chemical Guys New Car Smell Air Freshener?

A bottle of Chemical Guys New Car Smell Air Freshener is every worn-in car owner’s wildest fantasy. A few spritzes returns even the dingiest, mustiest minivans into fresh-off-the-lot newness when you close your eyes. It uses natural enzymes to eliminate existing odors, reduce new ones and blanket the air with a new car scent. It’s safe to use in every inch of a car’s interior, including upholstery, leather and even car floor mats. While it’s not a car cleaning product per se, it definitely helps stretch the time between cleanings and is the cherry on top of car detailing projects.

How We Tried Chemical Guys New Car Smell Air Freshener

My Chemical Guys New Car Smell Air Freshener test process was no joke. I spritzed the holy heck out of the worst part of my 2021 model minivan—the middle row of seats. They receive the most combat action with kids jockeying for the comfier captains seats, added leg room and door cup holders. I didn’t clean or wipe anything down (even though it needed a good cleaning) in order to best test how well the air freshener worked. After all, anyone can say it’s good when spraying it in an already clean car. Spritzing some Chemical Guys New Car Smell Air Freshener inside a war zone of toxic snack and sweat chaos, though? That’s a trial worthy of a university science department award. Here’s how to make your own car freshener.

The results shocked me. My completely disgusting minivan went from radioactive-waste-pit-of-despair to brand-new-with-a-blindfold in only five or six spritzes. Naturally, I assumed the results would fade after a few minutes. They didn’t. My car genuinely smelled new and ketchup-free for about two full days. At the end of the second day, I decided to clean the entire car out as I do each week and start from fresh. I sprayed the Chemical Guys spritz again against a newly-overhauled backdrop, and this time the scent lasted a full four days with a bit even lingering into the fifth. My kids asked me if I brought the car to a detailer.

I also tried soaking cotton balls with the fluid to leave under seats as several Amazon reviewers suggested. To my surprise, this worked marvelously for up to a full week. It sopped up the stink my two dogs left behind from a long ride to the park and kept the third row of seating and trunk lightly refreshed.

Chemical Guys New Car Smell Air Freshener Features

Much like the Chemical Guys microfiber cleaning cloths, this air freshener is easy to use. Even people who have never cleaned or deodorized a car before can use it. Just open the nozzle, spritz a few times and voila! Cars smell brand new. This air freshener is a must-have for those who don’t have time for disposable interior car wipes or regular visits to the car detailer.

Pros:

• Leaves even the dirtiest, mustiest cars smelling brand new
• Uses natural enzymes to break down existing odors and blanket the air with freshness
• Affordable price—a giant 16-ounce bottle costs about $9
• Over 31,000 Amazon ratings with a nearly-perfect 4.2-star average

Cons:

• Nozzle offers a fairly aggressive and direct spray that would be better as a fine mist
• Some Amazon reviewers note that the scent is better when diluted, but I happily used mine at full strength

The Best Amazon Reviews

“The scent lasted forever!” describes verified Amazon purchaser Sarah Mavres. “I mean seriously over a week or two. It’s incredibly affordable and works great!”

Another verified Amazon purchaser and five-star reviewer, Brad shares, “I am very picky on scents—especially the new car scent. I have been detailing my own vehicles for many years and this is the best scent there is. It’s easy to use and lasts for many weeks with just a few sprays. I actually had a friend get in my vehicle and ask how old it is because it still smells brand new.”

“I have been through my fair share of new car scent air fresheners,” writes Jeff Manson, a verified Amazon purchaser. “This Chemical Guys one is the closest I have found to the real new car scent.”

The Final Verdict

If my Chemical Guys New Car Smell Air Freshener review hasn’t been clear enough, allow me to clarify—buy it! It restores a fresh scent to older model cars, deodorizes stinky kid messes and removes the shame of having passengers know what you snacked on the day before. Plus, a 16-ounce bottle of the Chemical Guys New Car Scent Air Freshener is only about $9 and lasts for months.

Where to Buy Chemical Guys New Car Smell Air Freshener

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The best place to find Chemical Guys New Car Smell Air Freshener is Amazon, where a 16-ounce bottle costs just $9. You can also score cheaper deals on smaller packages, with a four-ounce size retailing under $5. But don’t waste time—reviewers note that the most popular scent, New Car, tends to sell out quickly, so add to cart now. Your car—and your nose—will thank you.

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