The inside of your car is a small, confined space, meaning that odors can be more prominent and unpleasant than they might be otherwise. Therefore, it is important to keep the space clean and free of clutter, debris and dirt. Pets and smoking, among a host of other factors, can leave foul odors floating around your car. Moreover, these smells can seem next to impossible to get rid of once they’ve settled into the fabric of your car’s interior.

Here are some insider tips on removing odor, as well as some ideas to help keep your car smelling fresh:

Find the source of the odor. More often than not, the source of the smell stems from old food or dirty clothing stuffed under the seat or in the trunk of the car. It’s also important that you look closely at the carpet for spills or in the air conditioning vents for dead insects.

Does your vehicle have a musty, mildew-like smell? Then you’ll need to throw away any and all trash you find and thoroughly vacuum and shampoo the carpet and upholstery. Commercial cleaning products work better than regular, household cleaners when it comes to deodorizing your car. The chemicals found in these products are usually industrial strength, which means they are stronger and more efficient.

Airing out your floor mats on a regular basis is a simple, but effective means of odor control. Your floor mats receive the brunt of the dirt and grime you track into your car on a regular basis. Take them out once a week, shake them vigorously and let them sit in the sun and the fresh air for an hour or two.

Baking soda is a great odor eliminator. Baking soda is particularly effective on seats or floorboards that just might happen to get wet from open windows. Sprinkle some baking soda around, let it sit for several hours — overnight is a good idea — and then vacuum it up. You car should smell noticeably fresher, as a result. Or place a box in your car under the seat as you would similarly do in your fridge.

Is it tobacco smoke you smell? You’ll have a tougher job, but don’t give up hope. Again, shampoo the carpet and upholstery. Then you might try some of these home remedies:

• Place a bowl of vinegar in the car for a day or two, or until the smoke smell is gone. Vinegar has its own pungent odor, but its scent will fade away in a few days — stale smoke doesn’t.
• Try spraying your car’s interior with deodorizer.
• For a lovely, clean scent, place a generous amount of vanilla extract on a towel and place the towel in the car. The vanilla will absorb the smell. Repeat as necessary.