How do car air fresheners work?Updated 17 days ago

By releasing sweet smelling molecules

Most car air freshener formulations contain VOCs or Volatile Organic Compounds. These readily evaporate at room temperature and carry fragrant compounds into the air. The freshener composition is usually in the form of solid, gel, liquid, aerosol spray, or essential oils. As the VOCs evaporate and fill the car cabin with fragrances, your nose detects the new aroma more than the odor, thereby providing a sense of fresh atmosphere.

By Eliminating Odors

Some types of car air fresheners introduce sweet smells into the air and eliminate odors by disabling them. These are often marketed as the spray types. Although often costly, these offer a more effective way to make your car cabin smell fresh. Based on the type of smell and its intensity, a freshener that replaces odors is usually enough. Also, if looking to introduce a specific scent into the car cabin.