Air Freshener Smells and How They Affect Your Mood While Driving

Written by

CarParts.com Research Team

Automotive and Tech Writers

Updated on October 2nd, 2024

Reading Time: 5 minutes
Summary
  • Research shows that exposure to pleasant smells can improve your mood by up to 40%. Certain fragrances can even reduce anxiety in stressful situations.
  • Pine, citrus, fruit, rose, and vanilla are bright and refreshing scents that can also reduce stress. More calming smells include vanilla and beach scents, depending on their exact mix.
  • New-car smell and leather are newer scents that evoke associated emotions like power and accomplishment.

Many drivers enjoy having a hanging air freshener in their vehicle’s cabin to keep their vehicle smelling nice and clean. Did you know that scents can also heavily influence your mood? Research shows that exposure to pleasant smells can improve your mood by up to 40%. Certain fragrances can even reduce anxiety in stressful situations. Imagine how handy that’d be in traffic. Scents have different effects though, and everyone’s preferences differ. That’s why we’re looking at some of the best air freshener smells out there, so you know how they can affect your mood on the road.

Pine

If you’re in the market for a good pine air freshener, check out the Little Trees Royal Pine Air Freshener or the Little Trees True North Air Freshener.

One Japanese study found that pine decreases anxiety and lowers stress. It can also positively affect those with depression. Pine helps calm and clear a stressed mind and energizes you at the same time. Pine scents have been known to enhance concentration and promote positivity. This might come from the long history it has in various cultures, where pine needles were used to stuff mattresses and create delicious meals and medication.

If you’re in the market for a good pine air freshener, check out the Little Trees Royal Pine Air Freshener or the Little Trees True North Air Freshener. Hang one by your rearview mirror and infuse your vehicle’s cabin with calming pine scents.

Beach

Sea breeze and other beachy scents fall under the aquatic fragrances category. These air freshener scents pull those who smell them to the refreshing and invigorating memory of time at the beach. Aquatic fragrances are often gentle and soothing, helping calm a nervous or anxious driver. They help with stress relief and smell refreshing to boost your energy and mood. Much of this works on a subconscious level, linking beach scents to pleasant vacations from your past summers.

The Little Trees Bayside Breeze Air Freshener is great if you want to capture that invigorating first touch of seaspray on your face. Meanwhile, the Little Trees Sunset Beach Air Freshener invokes calmer emotions felt during sunset in the sands.

Citrus

Citrus is another popular scent that’s bright and fresh and reminiscent of spring. Fresh lemon and juicy orange smells dominate this category, with lime and other citrus fruits present as well. They all make for an invigorating air freshener that invokes a clean feeling in your vehicle’s cabin. In addition, citrus scents carry a calming note that help foster a happy, relaxing atmosphere.

If you want a little twist on the typical citrus smell, try the Little Trees Caribbean Colada Air Freshener. This air freshener mixes woody scents with citrus to create a mysteriously enticing blend.

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Non-Citrus Fruits

Fruity scents that don’t fall into the citrus category include berries and honeydew. This is a rather broad category, but fruit smells are known to help relieve headaches and also reduce your stress. Overall, fruity smells are very fresh and lively, ready to invigorate you as you drive to work.

Strawberry lovers will likely enjoy the Little Trees Strawberry Air Freshener. The strawberry blends well with the brand’s Vanillaroma scent to create a fun, fruity aroma.

Those looking for something more unique can pick up the Chemical Guys Honeydew Premium Air Freshener. The fresh honeydew scent is cool and gives a relaxing vacation vibe.

If your vehicle’s cabin has a strange smell you can’t quite place, you can also try the Chemical Guys Fresh Cherry Blast Scent Air Freshener And Odor Eliminator. Spray their formula onto your vehicle’s seats and blast away the strange odor with a delicious cherry pie smell.

Vanilla

Vanilla scents are a great mix of stimulating and relaxing. If you bake, you’re likely familiar with the warm, comforting feeling that vanilla smells bring to a room. Vanilla’s freshness can lift your mood. These car air freshener scents are rejuvenating and excellent for any season.

Pick up the iconic Little Trees Vanillaroma Air Freshener if you want a strong, long-lasting, creamy vanilla scent to surround you. This scent blend also contains coconut milk and sugar cane.

The Chemical Guys Vanilla Bean Scent Air Freshener And Odor Eliminator is another option for vanilla fans. This is a fresh and organic non-chemical scent that has an icy edge to it.

Rose

Floral scents can be very different from each other. Rose is one of the most beloved. The rose smell is fresh and bright. It brings with it the image and emotions of spring, but at the same time, it promotes tranquility and calms you when you’re stressed. This fresh, classic scent also evokes love and romance.

If you’re a big rose lover but want something with a bit more edge to it, try picking up the Little Trees Rose Thorn Air Freshener. The earthy scent mixes perfectly with the sweet floral smell.

New-Car Scent

New_car smell air freshener is one of the more recent additions to the car air freshener market. It’s a strange one when you think about it. Why would you want your car to smell like a car? Well, the reason so many people love the smell is because of what it stands for. It’s not just any car smell, it’s new-car smell. There’s pride and a sense of accomplishment linked to owning a new car that many drivers like to hold onto.

If you miss your car’s new-car smell, pick up a Little Trees New Car Scent Air Freshener or a Chemical Guys New Car Scent Air Freshener And Odor Eliminator.

Leather

You can buy a bottle of Chemical Guys Leather Scent Air Freshener And Odor Eliminator if you’re looking to infuse your cabin with this strong scent.

Leather is another odd air freshener choice. Lots of people love the smell of leather, which is a mix of different oils, waxes, chemicals, and perfumes. But why would you want it as your air freshener? It’s because leather is strongly associated with authority and power, thanks to its links to premium, sturdy products. Having a leather smell in your vehicle’s cabin is comforting and empowering.

You can buy a bottle of Chemical Guys Leather Scent Air Freshener And Odor Eliminator if you’re looking to infuse your cabin with this strong scent.

And there you have it! These are some of our favorite air freshener scents and the different effects they can have on your daily drives. But the best smelling car air freshener for you still depends on your preferences and needs. Next time you reach for a new air freshener, at least you’ll know what to look for.

Written By CarParts.com Research Team

Automotive and Tech Writers

The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.

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