Mentos Mints - A Natural Car Air Freshener Solution

Mentos - An Unlikely Natural Air Freshener for Your Car

Driving around town with friends, running errands, or simply commuting to work every day can really make your car smell less than fresh. Fast food wrappers, gym bags, and everyday dirt and dust can leave unwanted odors lingering in your vehicle's interior. While there are plenty of store-bought car air fresheners to choose from, most contain artificial fragrances and chemicals. If you're looking for a simple, all-natural air freshener solution for your car, you may be surprised to learn that Mentos mints can do the trick!

Mentos - Surprisingly Effective at Neutralizing Odors

You likely know Mentos as those fun, candy-like mints that create explosive soda geysers. But beyond their YouTube fame, Mentos mints have some handy household - or in this case, car hold - uses. The fresh mint oil and other natural ingredients that give Mentos mints their aroma also make them an effective DIY air freshener.

When exposed to air over time, Mentos mints will slowly release their minty scent. Place a few mints in different spots around your car's interior, like the cup holders, center console, and floor mats. The refreshing smell will help neutralize unpleasant odors left behind from food, sweat, smoke, and general road grime that inevitably builds up.

Convenience, Customization, and Cost Savings

Part of what makes Mentos such a handy air freshener for your car is convenience. Mentos mint rolls are available at most gas stations, grocery stores, convenience stores, and big box retailers like Target and Walmart. So whenever you need a quick odor eliminator, you likely won't have to go out of your way to find Mentos mints.

Another advantage over traditional car air fresheners is customization. If you grow tired of the minty smell, simple swap out your Mentos for a fruity flavor like strawberry or tropical. You can also easily adjust the intensity; the more Mentos you use, the stronger the scent.

Finally, utilizing Mentos as a DIY car air freshener will save you money in the long run. A roll of Mentos generally costs around $1-2 and contains around 38 mints - much more cost effective than those small cardboard tree air fresheners that lose their scent after only a few weeks.

Maximizing Effectiveness

To get the most odor-fighting power out of your Mentos car air fresheners, here are some usage tips:

• Start with 5-10 fresh mints placed around the car's interior.
• Replace the mints every few weeks when the scent starts to fade.
• Allow a couple weeks for the Mentos to fully neutralize stubborn smells that have built up over time.
• Crack open the windows periodically to prevent the mint smell from becoming overpowering.
• For extra odor elimination power, place used Mentos in an old clean sock. Store in inconspicuous areas like under seats, in door pockets, or the trunk.

Other Creative Uses for Mentos

In addition to deodorizing your car, those rolls of fresh Mentos mints can be put to good use around your home. Here are some other unusual but surprisingly effective everyday problems they can help solve:

Freshen Smelly Shoes

Athletic shoes often fall victim to foul odors from sweat and bacteria buildup. Slip a couple Mentos mints into shoes overnight. By morning, the mint oil will have gone to work neutralizing and masking stubborn odors.

Prevent Sinks from Smelling

That drain trap under your sink can collect gunk over time, eventually causing a gross sewer gas smell to waft up. Use Mentos as a long-lasting drain deodorizer. Simply toss 4-5 mints down the drain before bed to wake up to a pleasant minty aroma in the morning.

Deter Bugs and Small Pests

Mentos can even help keep annoying fruit flies, ants, cockroaches, and mice away. These pests hate the strong mint smell. Place open rolls of Mentos in your pantry, kitchen cabinets, garage, basement, etc. And reapply fresh mints as needed when you notice the scent fading. Be sure to keep Mentos away from pets though!

From bomb-worthy soda reactions to an impromptu air freshener, Mentos continue to surprise us with their versatility. Harnessing the odor-eliminating power of those little white mints is a refreshing way to keep your car smelling clean. So next time you're at the checkout counter, grab a roll or two to stash in your car.

FAQs

How long will the Mentos air freshener scent last in my car?

The Mentos mints should continue releasing scent for 2-3 weeks. After that time, you'll notice the minty smell fading and should replace them with fresh mints.

Can I use other types of mints besides Mentos?

Yes, you can experiment with other strong smelling mints like Altoids or Lifesavers. Just avoid using gum or mints with liquid or cream fillings which may melt and leave residue in a hot car.

Where is the best place to put the Mentos in my car?

Good placement spots include the cup holders, center console, floor mats, door pockets or under seats. Anywhere they will be exposed to circulating air but won't get crushed or damaged.

Do Mentos work well at removing smoke smells?

Yes - the natural mint oil in Mentos is surprisingly effective at helping to neutralize stale cigarette or other smoke odors that have soaked into the car's interior over time.