Best Natural Car Air Freshener

Ryan Hansen Avatar

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Updated 11:35 pm

After extensive research and testing, we selected the Wyewye natural car air freshener bags as the best natural car air freshener that you can buy today. Each one features a unique removable inner bag that allows you to wash the exterior fabric and even includes a durable rope loop so you can hang the bags on your rearview mirror. They also excel at eliminating strong odors of any kind. Read our best car accessories guide for more great interior options.

To help you find the best natural car air freshener to keep your daily driver smelling nice, we spent over 2 weeks testing 20 different options. After placing the air fresheners in our vehicles, we tested them on their odor elimination prowess, their ability to be placed discretely and their overall durability and design. We also tested how easy they were to maintain and measured them based on their overall longevity before needing to be replaced. Keep reading below to learn more about the Wyewye air fresheners and the other best natural car air fresheners on our list.

Top 6 Best Natural Car Air Freshener

 #1  Wyewye Natural Car Air Freshener

Award: TOP PICK

WHY WE LIKE IT: With removable inner packs for easier cleaning and a durable overall design, thesee natural car air freshener bags were an easy choice for our top pick spot. Plus, you get a ton of value with the most number of bags out of any of the options on our list.

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  • Best for odor elimination
  • Durable rope loop for hanging
  • Stylish fabric design

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  • Not for large spaces
  • No instructions included

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The first thing you may notice about the Wyewye natural car air freshener is the fact that your purchase includes a whopping 15 bags total. This is the highest number of bags you can get with the products on our list, so the Wyewye provides a ton of value over other options. Each bag is filled with 100 grams of activated bamboo charcoal that can remove odors from the space where you place the bag. The 100g size is larger than many other models, but is still only effective in smaller spaces, making it perfect for cars. We were really impressed with the overall design of the wyewye air freshener bags. They’re made out of a tough fabric that’s similar to denim and can stand up to all the wear and tear you might expect from the constant movement of your car. Fix your old muffler by reading our best muffler guide.

Unlike many other options, the Wyewye also offers durable rope loops that you can use to hang the bags from your rearview mirror or from the back of your seat’s headrest. One of the most unique things about this car air freshener is the fact that you can remove the inner bag where all the charcoal is, so you can more easily wash the exterior and recharge the charcoal in the sun. If you regularly set the inner bag in the sun for two hours every month, the odor absorption can last upwards of two years. If you also want the chance to make your car look brand new, take a look at the best ceramic coating for cars as well.

 #2  Moso Natural Car Air Freshener

Award: HONORABLE MENTION

WHY WE LIKE IT: Theseatural car air freshener bags are large and effective, absorbing powerful odors with ease. They’re also designed well, with sturdy stitching and a strong metal ring for hanging.

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  • Great for SUVs and larger vehicles
  • Also absorbs moisture
  • One hour recharge time

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  • Larger than other options
  • Take some time to work

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Measuring in at 200 grams of activated bamboo charcoal per bag, the Moso Natural air freshener bags are some of the largest options on our list. This larger capacity means they can absorb more powerful odors and last longer without needing to be recharged, although Moso Natural still recommends placing the bags in the sun for at least an hour every month to be recharged. We were impressed that these freshener bags only needed an hour in the sun to recharge the activated charcoal, instead of two hours, which seems to be the industry standard. Give your car a jump without another vehicle by using our best portable jump starter.

We did notice that these air freshener bags take a longer time to work over other options, so expect a week or two to pass before you get full odor elimination. However, once they do start eliminating odor, they do it really well. Another one of the Moso Natural’s most unique features is the ability to absorb moisture from your car, as well as odors. This is especially helpful for humid environments where you run the risk of mold. We did notice the moisture absorption working quicker than odor elimination. We were happy with the Moso Natural bags’ overall construction, too. They’re stitched well and feature strong fabric that won’t wear out easily. If you prefer a diffuser, take a look at the best car diffuser as well.

 #3  Brilliant Evolution Natural Car Air Freshener

Award: BEST FOR LARGE SPACES

WHY WE LIKE IT: If you’re looking for the most odor absorption you can buy, look no further than these natural car air fresheners. With 220 grams of activated charcoal bamboo in each bag, these fresheners can easily tackle lots of smells.

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  • Excellent for commercial applications (Uber, buses, vans)
  • Also absorbs moisture
  • 100 sq. ft. of coverage

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  • Not good for cigarette smoke

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The Brilliant Evolution natural car freshener is the largest option on our list, measuring in at an impressive total of 220 grams of activated charcoal bamboo per bag. This is the highest capacity on our list, meaning these bags can absorb more odor in larger areas (up to 100 square feet) than any other option we tested. This makes them the best luxury car air freshener available, since luxury cars are often larger than other cars. They’re also designed well, with a subtle gray fabric that’s also tough enough to take a beating.

Like other activated charcoal air fresheners, the Brilliant Evolution air purifying bags need to sit out in the sun for a time to recharge every month, but these only need an hour in direct sunlight to fully recharge. They can also be reused up to 2 years with regular recharges. During our testing, we were disappointed to find that the Brilliant Evolution bags weren’t great for eliminating cigarette smoke, but they can easily tackle most other odors with ease.

 #4  Tiger Avenue Natural Car Air Freshener

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Award: BEST DESIGN

WHY WE LIKE IT: These natural car air freshener is designed with style in mind and offers two different sizes for a broader application. They also act faster than other options we tested.

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  • Very speedy scent and smell elimination
  • Two different sizes
  • Stylish designs

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  • 75g bags not great for cars
  • Moisture absorption could be better

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The first thing that you’ll notice about the Tiger Avenue natural car air freshener bags is the stylish design. The navy blue option comes with floral patterns while the duck shell blue option features shapes. This design is perfect for the style-minded consumer who doesn’t want to worry about hiding these bags out of sight. These bags are also built with 100% linen, which is known for its strength and durability. You won’t need to worry about these bags wearing out over time due to normal wear and tear.

Your purchase includes 6 individual air purifying bags in two different sizes: 200 grams and 75 grams. The 200g bags are perfect for cars and larger spaces up to 90 square feet, while the 75g bags are better for small, enclosed spaces like shoes or closets. We don’t recommend using the small bags in your car. Our testing demonstrated that the smaller bags weren’t as effective in your car, but still did excellently in other, smaller spaces. All in all, if you want something a little more fun and stylish in design than the other fresheners on our list, you can’t go wrong with the Tiger Avenue natural car air freshener bags. If you want your child’s ride to be comfortable, take a look at the best car seat cushion as well.

 #5  Terra Lifestyle Co. Natural Car Air Freshener

Award: BEST ON A BUDGET

WHY WE LIKE IT: These natural car air fresheners use activated bamboo charcoal to eliminate tough odors with ease, including pet odors. The bags are also eco-friendly and tough for longer periods of use.

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  • Great for removing pet smells
    Made from eco-friendly fabric
    Embossed logo

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  • No instructions included
  • Can take a few days to work

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If you have pets, you know just how messy they can be at times, especially when you take them with you in your car. Luckily, the Terra Lifestyle Co. natural car air freshener can help refresh your car and keep it smelling nice by absorbing all your pets’ smells. And, like the other activated charcoal fresheners on our list, the Terra Lifestyle bags are completely non-toxic for both animals and children. And they’re cheap, price wise.

The Terra Lifestyle Co. bags are also made from Grade A, eco-friendly fabric. This means you can recycle them after their 2 years of life and you won’t have to worry about them wearing out too quickly in your car with your pets. We were also impressed with the logo on the bags, which is better for pets than stitching a square of fabric on the bag for the logo. If you’re looking for the best natural car air freshener for pets, you absolutely can’t go wrong with the Terra Lifestyle Co. air purifying bags. And, if you want the premium in safety for your child, take a look at the best car seat protector for your child.

 #6  PURGGO Natural Car Air Freshener

Award: BEST QUALITY

WHY WE LIKE IT: These air freshening bags are compact and made from durable hemp fabric. They’re designed with a high level of quality and work great in shoes as well as cars.

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  • Excellent for cigarette smoke elimination
  • Rope loop for hanging
  • Durable hemp fabric

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  • Only 1 year lifespan
  • Smaller than other options

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How We Decided

The first and most important feature we considered during our testing of the natural car air fresheners was their ability to eliminate odors. If you spend money on an air freshener that doesn’t eliminate, or at least mask, smelly odors, then you’ve just wasted your money. We measured each option’s ability to eliminate tough odors like cigarette smoke and pet messes, but gave bonus points to options that kept your car smelling fresh on a consistent basis.

We also rated the air fresheners based on their overall design and construction. Since air fresheners are meant to be handled and moved around regularly, it’s important to buy an option that is made from durable materials. We also favored options that included additional design features like rope loops for hanging on rearview mirrors and seat backs or metal rings for using them on hangers and hooks.

Finally, we only included options on our list that could last at least a year with proper maintenance, rating options that could last longer than a year higher on our list. Maintenance should be easy and quick, without requiring complicated bag exchanges or washing. To make it easy and convenient to keep your car clean, take a look at the best car garbage can too.

Best Natural Car Air Freshener Buyer’s Guide

The Most Important Features to Consider

  1. Fragrance vs. Fragrance Free
    When it comes to freshening the air in your car, you essentially have two options: pumping new aromas into the air or absorbing the bad ones. While there is always a variety of scents available for air fresheners, absorbing odors with us scented fresheners is the most natural way to go. Considering the fact that most sweet scents in air fresheners are chemically created, they’re often not considered natural in the purest sense of the word.
  2. Safety and Health
    If you’re always in your car driving somewhere, you will always be exposed to your car air freshener. This is why it’s so important to purchase something that’s safe for your health. Natural air fresheners are inherently safer for your health than other odor eliminators, so you’re already one step ahead of the game by buying something natural. However, you still don’t want your kids or pets getting into your air freshener, so be sure you purchase something that is safely and securely packaged. Look for products that feature durable and tightly sealed exterior materials.
  3. Longevity
    Odor elimination can’t last forever, but you should still have higher expectations for the air fresheners you purchase. You don’t want to spend your hard-earned money on something that will wear out after a week or two. The best natural car air fresheners can last years at a time with the proper maintenance and care. Keep in mind that your mileage may vary depending on the types and overall amount of odors being absorbed.
  4. Size and Design
    A car air freshener should never obstruct your driving or in the way of your passengers’ comfort. Consider purchasing options that are small and inconspicuous so they don’t get in your way. You should also consider additional design features that improve the overall usability of the car air freshener. Features like loops for hanging fresheners on your rearview mirror or holes for placing them on hangers can drastically improve their versatility.

Natural Car Air Freshener FAQs

How can I make my car smell better naturally?

The first, and most obvious, way to make your car smell better naturally is by using one of the natural car air fresheners found on our list above. However, you can help your car freshener out by doing things like keeping a scented candle under your seat (unlit of course), cleaning your mats regularly, sprinkling baking soda around the interior and vacuuming it up and even simply driving around with the windows rolled down.

What is the best natural car air freshener?

The best natural car air freshener is the wyewye Activated Bamboo Charcoal Freshener package. With 15 bags included in your purchase, long lifespan and overall ease of use, these bags will keep your car smelling fresh without all the harsh chemicals.

What is the longest lasting car air freshener?

All of the natural car air fresheners on our list are long lasting and most can be re-used for up to 2 years with the proper care and maintenance. Activated bamboo charcoal tends to be the best air freshening material since it can absorb more odors and can even be “recharged” by placing it in direct sunlight once a month.

How do you make homemade car air freshener?

If you’re ever in a pinch, you can even make your own homemade natural car air freshener. There are several ways to do this, including putting drops of essential oils on clothespins that can be clipped directly onto your air vents and filling a mason jar with baking soda and essential oils, then poking holes in the lid.

Are wood car air fresheners effective or any good?

Wood car air fresheners are certainly great at masking odors in your car, but they don’t eliminate odors like activated charcoal air fresheners. Wood car air fresheners are simply pieces of wood on which you place essential oils. Then, as the wood sits in your car, the essential oils diffuse into the air. These air fresheners are completely natural, though, which still makes them much better than traditional car air fresheners.

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