Protect your car! Shocking story of mum who discovered a car freshener that burned a hole in her vehicle
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Ah, the smell of a fresh and clean car—it's something all drivers appreciate. Many of us rely on air fresheners to keep our vehicles smelling pleasant, whether we choose the small cardboard trees hanging from our rearview mirrors or the fancy essential oil diffusers available in stores.
However, it seems not all air fresheners are created equal, and some can even inflict quite a bit of damage on our beloved cars. A mum from New South Wales, Australia, named Brooke Bliss, learned this the hard way when her $14 essential oil car air freshener caused a shocking $451 worth of damage to her relatively new vehicle.
The unfortunate event began innocently enough, with Bliss buying the seemingly innocuous car freshener as an 'afterthought' from a florist. She hung the air freshener on her mirror, thinking it looked 'really nice,' but she had no idea of the disaster it would bring.
'The bottom of it has cracked with the heat... f***ing fantastic,' she said in a video, which has now gone viral with over 222,000 views. 'The car sat in the sun all day and the oil has literally burnt a f***ing hole in my car... my car is two years old, it's literally a new car. I didn't really see it, because it's clear until it was too late.'
When she took her Toyota to the dealership for repairs, the damage turned out to be an eye-watering $451. 'So my $14 diffuser to make my car smell beautiful has turned into a $451 repair on my car,' she said in despair.
The video quickly got the attention of other car owners, many of whom shared similar experiences. 'As soon as I saw you show the diffuser, I knew where this was going. This happened to my car, and it melted into my dash; they should be illegal,' one person commented.
Another stated, 'The same thing happened to mine and ruined a part on the dash that was going to cost $1200 to replace.' A third person was shaken, saying, 'Yikes! Running to remove mine from the mirror!'
Although such incidents seem rare, Fire and Rescue NSW warns drivers that flammable and combustible items, like essential oil car air fresheners, should be kept out of direct sunlight. 'Internal car temperatures are significant compared to outside temperatures,' a spokesman told Yahoo News Australia. 'And any time you've got elevated temperatures, there is a chance of ignition. If you leave oil depositories, you have to be conscious not to leave them in direct sunlight... park in the shade.'
Consider using products such as auto upholstery cleaners, fabric sprays, and spritzers to keep your car interior looking and smelling its best. These products are usually designed to deep-clean fabrics, remove odour, and leave behind a pleasant scent without leaving any residue.
You can also deodorise and refresh the air in your car with starter kits specially designed for cars or even homemade remedies. Companies such as LyduaCar offer specifically designed minimalist starter kits for all types of vehicles, while DIY air fresheners can be made with everyday items.
When it comes to car air fresheners, it's crucial to consider their placement and avoid exposing them to direct sunlight or heated areas to prevent potential damage and costly repairs. Alternatively, skipping essential oil fresheners completely might be a wiser choice, as Brooke's experience highlighted their susceptibility to heat damage.
Members, what are your thoughts on this story? Have you ever encountered issues with car air fresheners or essential oils causing damage? Share your opinions and experiences with us. Let's prioritise keeping our cars smelling fresh while being mindful of potential risks.
However, it seems not all air fresheners are created equal, and some can even inflict quite a bit of damage on our beloved cars. A mum from New South Wales, Australia, named Brooke Bliss, learned this the hard way when her $14 essential oil car air freshener caused a shocking $451 worth of damage to her relatively new vehicle.
The unfortunate event began innocently enough, with Bliss buying the seemingly innocuous car freshener as an 'afterthought' from a florist. She hung the air freshener on her mirror, thinking it looked 'really nice,' but she had no idea of the disaster it would bring.
'The bottom of it has cracked with the heat... f***ing fantastic,' she said in a video, which has now gone viral with over 222,000 views. 'The car sat in the sun all day and the oil has literally burnt a f***ing hole in my car... my car is two years old, it's literally a new car. I didn't really see it, because it's clear until it was too late.'
A mother expressed her frustration regarding the "burn holes" that were caused by an essential oil car air freshener in her Toyota. Source: @brookeisblissed/Tiktok
When she took her Toyota to the dealership for repairs, the damage turned out to be an eye-watering $451. 'So my $14 diffuser to make my car smell beautiful has turned into a $451 repair on my car,' she said in despair.
The video quickly got the attention of other car owners, many of whom shared similar experiences. 'As soon as I saw you show the diffuser, I knew where this was going. This happened to my car, and it melted into my dash; they should be illegal,' one person commented.
Another stated, 'The same thing happened to mine and ruined a part on the dash that was going to cost $1200 to replace.' A third person was shaken, saying, 'Yikes! Running to remove mine from the mirror!'
Although such incidents seem rare, Fire and Rescue NSW warns drivers that flammable and combustible items, like essential oil car air fresheners, should be kept out of direct sunlight. 'Internal car temperatures are significant compared to outside temperatures,' a spokesman told Yahoo News Australia. 'And any time you've got elevated temperatures, there is a chance of ignition. If you leave oil depositories, you have to be conscious not to leave them in direct sunlight... park in the shade.'
Alternative Ways to Keep Your Car's Interior Fresh
When it comes to fragrance options for your car, air fresheners aren’t your only option. There are numerous alternatives available that won’t cause such serious damages as Brooke experienced in her unfortunate incident.Consider using products such as auto upholstery cleaners, fabric sprays, and spritzers to keep your car interior looking and smelling its best. These products are usually designed to deep-clean fabrics, remove odour, and leave behind a pleasant scent without leaving any residue.
You can also deodorise and refresh the air in your car with starter kits specially designed for cars or even homemade remedies. Companies such as LyduaCar offer specifically designed minimalist starter kits for all types of vehicles, while DIY air fresheners can be made with everyday items.
Members, what are your thoughts on this story? Have you ever encountered issues with car air fresheners or essential oils causing damage? Share your opinions and experiences with us. Let's prioritise keeping our cars smelling fresh while being mindful of potential risks.
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