Introduction

Car interiors can smell surprisingly different—from the popular “new car” scent to older, musty odors. While some people enjoy these smells, others may feel dizzy or nauseous due to the chemicals and air quality inside the cabin. This article explores why these smells exist, how they affect your body, and simple ways to eliminate them.

Table of Content

1. Types of smells in a car interior
2. why we feel nauseous
3. tips to get rid of car smells
4. common questions people might ask

Types of Smells in a Car Interior

New Car Smell

• The famous “new car” scent comes from off-gassing of plastics, adhesives, fabrics, and leather used in the interior.

• It’s usually strongest in the first few months of owning a new vehicle.

Leather and Upholstery Smells

• Leather seats and trim give a rich, distinctive scent.

• Fabric seats may absorb odors from passengers, food, or the environment, sometimes creating a slightly musty smell.

Musty or Damp Odors

• Often caused by mold, mildew, or moisture trapped under carpets, seats, or air vents.

• Can develop in older cars or in humid climates.

Chemical or Plastic Smells

• Strong scents from cleaning products, air fresheners, or aftermarket accessories.

• Can sometimes cause irritation or nausea for sensitive individuals.

Environmental or External Odors

• Smells carried in from outside, such as exhaust fumes, wet soil, or pollen.

Why we feel Nauseous?

We can feel nauseous from car smells because many of the odors inside a vehicle come from chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are released from plastics, adhesives, fabrics, and cleaning products. Some people are more sensitive to these compounds, and when inhaled in a confined space like a car, they can irritate the nose, throat, or even the brain’s vomiting center. Strong or unusual odors can also trigger a reaction similar to motion sickness, especially if the smell combines with the movement of the car. Poor ventilation, high temperatures, and humidity can intensify these effects, making the smells more concentrated and more likely to cause dizziness, headaches, or nausea in sensitive individuals.

Tips to get rid of car smells

• Keep the interior clean by vacuuming seats, carpets, and mats regularly.

• Wipe down all surfaces to remove dust, dirt, and food residue.

• Check for leaks and dry any damp areas to prevent mold and mildew.

• Ventilate the car by opening windows or using air conditioning on fresh-air mode.

• Use odor absorbers like baking soda, activated charcoal, or commercial deodorizers.

• Replace old cabin air filters to remove trapped chemicals and dust.

• Consider air purifiers or ozone treatments for strong, persistent odors.

• Avoid masking smells with strong air fresheners, which can worsen nausea in sensitive individuals.

Common Questions People Might Ask

Q: Every time I enter a car, I hate the smell of it and I start puking the second I smell it, but everyone around me is fine with it. Why does this happen?

A: volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from car plastics, adhesives, and fabrics, which can trigger nausea and vomiting in some people. Others around you may not react because sensitivity to these smells varies greatly from person to person.

Q: Why is it that as soon as I get in my car I start gagging but I haven’t moved anywhere?

A: You start gagging immediately because your body is reacting to the smell and chemicals inside the car itself, not the motion. Strong odors from plastics, adhesives, fabrics, or trapped moisture can trigger nausea in sensitive individuals as soon as they inhale them, even while the car is stationary.

Q: Why do some people feel sick from the “new car” smell while others don’t?

A: Because certain individuals are more sensitive to chemicals like VOCs released from plastics, adhesives, and fabrics, which can trigger nausea.