Have you ever gotten into someone's car and the first thing you notice is the overwhelming unpleasant smell? Or have you been stuck in a car ride where you found yourself sneezing and with watery, red eyes? Beyond being an uncomfortable scenario, an unpleasant odor or a mild allergic reaction to the interior of a car can be a sign of poor air quality.
If you live in a densely populated area with high levels of pollution, drive a car that's used frequently by a number of people and pets, or are generally sensitive to air quality, then investing in a car air purifier may be a step towards cleaner air and easier breathing.
Clean Car, Clean Air
If you’re driving through a city, then you probably want peace of mind knowing that the quality of air inside your car is better than that outside, right? You can actually be exposed to pollutants from inside your car with the windows rolled up. If you commute to work in a highly-populated area or spend a significant amount of time in your car, you may be exposed to higher levels of toxins and allergens in the air just from being inside your car.
A number of factors come into play when evaluating how clean a car’s air is, including the number of passengers, how well-sealed the doors and windows are, your car’s air circulation and ventilation systems, and the air quality outside the car. If you’re looking to improve the air quality of your car rides, then investing in an air purifier to not only clean but freshen the air around you might be your next move.
Most Common Allergens in Cars
There are a number of factors that can contribute to mild to severe allergic reactions when you're in the car. When you enter a car you are likely to bring in any number of molecules from the outside world, including dust and dirt, pet dander, pollen, and other sources of pollution.
Since you use your car regularly, and it’s a temporary environment prone to a lot of in-and-out movement, it's even more critical that the air quality of your car is maintained. The last thing you want in your vehicle is an environment filled with toxins, bacteria, or other harmful substances that could potentially impact your health.
Dust and Dirt
It may seem obvious but your car can build up a lot of dust and dirt, particularly depending on where you live. Whether you live in an area with lots of dirt roads, a snowy region where sand is used to melt the snow, or live by the beach, then dust and dirt can easily build up in areas that are hard to reach unless you do a thorough car cleaning. Both dust and dirt can circulate through the air if not cleaned up, and if contaminated with bacteria can impact the quality of air that you breathe.
Pet Allergens
If you're a pet owner, then you know that pet hair and dander (dead skin cells) can spread far and wide, even with routine cleaning habits. With so many people allergic to dogs and cats, addressing pet allergens in your vehicle is not only a priority for you but could be helpful for any guests you might have in your car.
Whether you are a dog or cat owner, establishing a cleaning routine for your car can not only eliminate unwanted hair but eliminate your car’s atmosphere of odor and unhealthy molecules.
Pollen
Pollen is one of the more common allergens, especially as it pertains to seasonal allergies. Depending on where you live and whether you store your vehicle outside or in a garage, your car’s atmosphere may be more susceptible to catching and circulating high levels of pollen.
If you have ever stepped outside and noticed that your car windshield was covered in pollen, chances are that pollen is also on the soles of your feet which, when entering your vehicle, came with you. If you don't vacuum or clean your car immediately after tracking in pollen, and have multiple guests riding with you, then there's a high chance that a significant amount of pollen has now been stored in the mats and your car and will likely circulate in the car’s cabin.
Why Invest in a Car Air Purifier?
Beyond creating a fresher-smelling car, an air purifier can help clean air filled with pollen, allergens, bacteria-filled air, or pet dander. Since the atmosphere of a vehicle is one of constant flow, with people coming in and out, and different environmental factors, it’s important to maintain a healthy, and clean level of breathability in your car.
How much, and in what way, you choose to invest in a car air purifier is up to you, but prioritizing your health with your lifestyle is critical. When you think about investing in cleaner, more breathable air for yourself, it’s important to consider your health.
This odor eliminator + air freshener by Azuna lets you breathe easier, with the knowledge that it’s free from harsh chemicals and phthalates, and lasts up to 90 days. Just peel off the Azuna sticker, remove the inside seal and place it. Then let the tea tree oil-based gel get to work naturally neutralizing unwanted odors at their source. An investment in a car air purifier is not only an investment in yourself but a commitment to breathing better quality air every time you get into your vehicle.
#1: How Many Pets or People Regularly Use Your Car?
If you are a dog or cat owner, then your pet has a special place in your life. Maybe they get priority seating when everyone piles into the car to head to the beach, or perhaps if they’re smaller they find a spot on your lap for rides to the supermarket. Whether you’re headed to the dog park or away for the weekend, you’ll want to make sure that the air in your car is as clean as can be.
Pet saliva, urine, and dander (dead skin cells) are the most common sources of allergens for people with sensitivities to dogs and cats. While you may not have an allergy to your pets, you may have a friend or family member who is allergic, which makes an air purification system even more of a priority.
If you’re bringing your pets to a park, or are traveling with them for longer periods of time, then it’s likely they will need to go to the bathroom or get some fresh air outside the car. Pet’s coats and paws are perfect places for things like pollen, dust, and dirt to attach to.
In addition to cleaning your pet, an air purifier will help clean the air of circulating bacteria and allergen molecules that might get swept up with the car’s ventilation system. If you have a pet, an air purification system will be able to clean — not just mask — unwanted pet odors and purify your car’s air.
#2: You Live in a Highly-Populated Area
If you live in a city or an area with a lot of traffic, then your car might feel like a breath of fresh air before a busy day or after a grueling day at work. A car can offer up solace, a relaxing time for decompression after a long day: nothing beats creating a relaxing drive with music and the right temperature in the car.
But what about air quality? Have you ever considered that the air quality in your car might be comparable, if not worse, than the quality outside of your car? Through a series of filtration systems, your car takes the air from outside and brings it in and through your car’s cabin so as to neutralize the pressure between the outdoors and inside the car.
Even the best filtration systems can’t compete with open doors and windows that let in pollen and allergens or high levels of pollutants due to traffic.
#3: You Are Committed to Clean Living
You eat well, prioritize getting exercise, and take care of your home and family by purchasing products aligned with your lifestyle. While it might be tempting to purchase an exciting-sounding air freshener, most air fresheners are filled with chemicals that can be really detrimental to your health.
Though the effects of air fresheners haven't been studied in the long term, it is known that chemical-filled air fresheners mask odors (not address their root issues), and introduce even more toxins into the environment than are already present. Particularly if you are someone who struggles with asthma or other respiratory issues, using an air freshener can actually make the air quality — and your response to it — worse.
#4: Do You Spend a Significant Amount of Time in Your Car?
Whether you're a daily commuter, a busy parent, or simply spend weekends taking trips with your family, if you're spending a significant amount of time in your car, that means a significant amount of the air that you are breathing on a daily basis is filtered through your car system.
Free from harsh chemicals and heavy perfumes, Azuna’s auto odor eliminator + air freshener natually neutralize odors caused by microbes in the air leaving you with air that smells like, well…air.
#5: You Want the New Car Smell Without the Chemicals
It can be tempting to want to fill your car with strong-scented fresheners, in an attempt to create an environment that “smells clean.” However, most air fresheners are filled with dozens of chemicals that don't actually do anything to address the purity of the air: air fresheners simply mask unwanted odors without addressing the problem.
There are a number of reasons why your car might not be smelling so great. Perhaps you tend to leave your gym bag in the car overnight, or you are the parent responsible for carpooling. If you have pets, or generally use your car a decent amount, your car is going to get dirtier with use.
Regular cleaning and maintenance can help create a cleaner car atmosphere, but it’s really about getting down to the molecular level and purifying the air. The best new car smell is no smell at all.
The Bottom Line
If you spend any time in a vehicle, you deserve high-quality air. Whether you’re a daily commuter, an infrequent driver, or just enjoy packing your pets in the car and heading to the beach, one of the main priorities of your car ride should be better breathability.
The thing is, opening the windows isn’t always the answer for fresher, cleaner air. Especially if you are living in a place with higher levels of pollution, pollen, or chemicals emitted by cars due to higher populations. Investing in an air purifier for your car is an effective and simple way to ensure that rain or shine, your car’s cabin will be smelling as clean as it really is.
Though it may be tempting to fill your car with “good-smelling” air fresheners, most air fresheners are made with harsh chemicals that do nothing but contribute even more harmful toxins to your environment. When choosing an air purifier for your car, prioritize clean ingredients, proven results, and a purifier that matches your lifestyle. Cleaner and better smelling air for your next morning commute? With a car air purifier, you can have it all.
Sources:
Clearing the air (inside your car) | News
Allergic to Your Pet? Learn about Dog and Cat Allergies | AAFA
Understanding the effects of a healthy lifestyle on mental health | Penn State Health
