An ozone treatment for your car is an odour treatment: an ozone device produces the gas ozone in an empty, closed car. Ozone breaks down odour molecules in the air and on the interior, then turns back into ordinary oxygen by itself. It works best once the source of the smell (dirt, damp) has been cleaned first. Nobody and no animal is in the car during the treatment, and afterwards you air the car out thoroughly. We carry out this treatment ourselves as an add-on to an interior service.
What does an ozone generator do in a car?
What does an ozone generator actually do? The device turns oxygen into ozone (O3). Ozone is a reactive gas that breaks down odour molecules and then falls back to ordinary oxygen by itself. People choose an ozone generator car treatment mostly for cigarette smoke, dog smell, a musty cabin after damp, or a smell that lingers after cleaning.
Removing odour from your car: source first, ozone second
An odour is rarely just in the air. It sits in the upholstery, floor mats, boot, headliner and sometimes in the cabin filter. So start by taking everything out of the car: empty cups, food, clothing, a dog blanket. Vacuum thoroughly and find where the smell comes from. More on a safe approach to the cabin is in our guide cleaning your interior without damage. For dashboard and plastics: dashboard and plastics. How to recognise and tackle different smells is in our guide removing odours from your car. We use this for preparation:
Stains and upholstery: the BrandX X-Tra Fast Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner is a multi-fabric cleaner based on citrus extracts, made for quick stain removal on seats and carpet.
Hard surfaces: the D-CON C.I.A. Complete Interior All is ready to use and works on dashboard, door panels, leather, rubber, vinyl and textured plastic.
Seams and corners: the D-CON Microfiber Interior Scrub Sponge has a nylon scrub side for caked-on dirt and a microfibre side for the finish.
Which source goes with which smell?
Smell | Where it often sits | Do first |
|---|---|---|
Cigarette smoke | Headliner, seat seams, upholstery | Vacuum and clean the upholstery |
Dog smell | Dog blanket, floor mats, boot | Take everything out, wash the mats separately and let them dry |
Musty air after damp | Under the mats, wet upholstery | Find the source and let it dry completely |
How to do it
Empty the car. Take out all belongings, rubbish and food, including from the boot and the storage pockets. Pitfall: a forgotten bag with something damp brings the smell straight back.
Clean the source and let it dry. Vacuum, clean the upholstery and hard parts, and look for damp patches under the mats. Tip: for dog smell or smoke, do not forget the headliner and the seat seams. Pitfall: treating while the upholstery is still wet.
Prepare the car. Close the windows and doors, set the ventilation to recirculation so the gas also reaches the ventilation system, and place the device as its manual says. Tip: use a device with a timer. Pitfall: a cable trapped in a closed door that damages the seal.
Run the treatment. The duration depends on the smell and the device, so follow the manufacturer’s manual. Pitfall: looking into the car while the device is on. Nobody and no animals in the car, not even briefly.
Air it out. Switch the device off, open all doors and windows and leave the car somewhere airy, for at least a few hours. Tip: if you still smell something sharp, air it for longer. Pitfall: relying on your nose, because it gets used to ozone quickly.
Finish. Only after airing do you add a fragrance. Tip: choose one and spray lightly, so the result stays fresh.
Using ozone in a car safely
Ozone is a gas you do not want to breathe in. So keep the car out of reach of children and pets, and stay out of the car yourself while the device is on. At our workshop the treatment happens in a closed bay with no people or animals inside. Afterwards you air the car out well before anyone gets in.
Why having it done is often easier
If you would rather have it done, we take care of it. T&H Car Care carries out the ozone treatment as an add-on to an interior service, so cleaning and odour treatment fit together in one visit.
If you want to try the preparation yourself, you will find the cleaners in the category interior cleaners. For the finishing touch, see the air fresheners.
Odour back after the treatment? This helps
An air freshener finishes the interior after the treatment. The Chemical Guys American Apple Pie Air Freshener (473 ml) contains enzymes that break down odour sources instead of masking them, with a sweet apple pie and cinnamon scent. If you want a calmer scent and a concentrate you dilute yourself, the Chemical Guys Honeydew Cantaloupe Air Freshener suits you.