Before winter hits with all its force, you might want to clean out your air vents and get your cabin air filter replaced. Here are our tips on making your car smell fresh in time for using the heat and risking the smells in your vents getting baked into your vehicle for the conceivable forever.

First of all, get a vacuum, some Q-tips, and some cleaning solution of your choice and go to town on all of your vents. Even the defroster vent up near your windshield. Don’t forget the ones that blow on your feet, and don’t forget the ones that go to the back seat. Q-tip the crap out of the little corners and crannies. It’s both satisfying and soothing for the soul.

Next, take your vehicle to your dealer’s service bay and have them look at the cabin air filter. Chances are, yours hasn’t been replaced in a hot minute. Get that thing replaced! It’ll make everything smell incredibly fresh and clean, and then you can forget about it again for a while. It’s amazing.

I’d finally suggest that you get some air freshener. One of those clippy guys that hooks on to your air vent. Pick a holiday scent and drive around inside of a cookie or a wreath or something for a few weeks. You’ll be so glad you did.