Vinyl steering wheel cover smell?

I did a search but didn't find anything about this so I thought I'd ask..

Does anyone know of a way to get rid of that awful smell on vinyl steering wheel covers? I found the perfect blue to match my truck but it smells terrible. I've tried everything from wrapping it in newspaper to soaking it in vinegar to spraying it with Fabreeze. It's been outside since the end of April in direct sunlight and the smell is still there. Any ideas on what to do, or should I just give up on it and try to find a new one? Thanks!!

 

Amanda .... just try some warm soap and water.

 

Rub it with a week old dead fish.

You won't worry about that vinyl smell anymore.

 

Don't really appreciate the saracasm here. If you're not gonna try to answer helpfully, just don't answer. Plain and simple. And also, I tried washing it with soap and water first..I'm really not that dumb to skip over that first step.

 

It was meant in jest.

However, it is not to far from the truth. Usually we spray "something" that masks the smell, not eliminate it. So with that in mind.

1. You could open the truck up (all of the windows down) and hope it airs out.

2. You could pick something to mask it. Obviously fish is not your thing. Maybe a disinfectant like Lysol? Or a perfume or air freshener.

3. You could pick something that might absorb the odor. Maybe baking powder.

4. Or, You could do what i did and use a leather steering wheel cover.

 

Never said you were dumb .... just trying to lend a help.

 

Is it a vinyl/plastic odor or a body-type odor?
If it's the latter, I'd try an anti-bacterial wipe like Lysol, to kill the 'funk'.

 

I'd just move the seat back a bit.

LOL (Picturing the old lady with her nose on the wheel trying to see two feet in front of the hood)

 

It hasn't been in the truck since the first day I got it..it's an oddly strong vinyl smell that just won't go away. When I got in after it sat overnight it was so overwhelming that I couldn't even tell I had an air freshener anymore. I took the cover out and it took almost a week with the windows rolled down all day to air her out. I will say that over the last few months the actual steering wheel cover has gotten slightly better because now it's only bad if you're within a foot of it instead of 4 or 5 feet. It's bizarre, never had anything quite like this before..

Thank you for all your help. And jmorris and coupe, I'm sorry. I was out of line with that comment, clearly took your comments the wrong way. I sometimes get crap for being a girl with a truck and so with the bigger font size (not realizing it was your regular font) and the funny but not so helpful comment I was a bit unsure so I owe you guys a big apology.

 

No problem my friend ... we (well most of us) are here to help.

 

If vinegar didn't help you're going to have to soak it in something like oxyclean or odo-ban. You can also try throwing it in the washing machine with rags, a bottle of hydrogen peroxide and a little bit of detergent.

If that doesn't work rub it with a fish that has been dead for a week and give it to a co-worker as a Christmas present.

 

Try "Sink the Stink". It's a product made for scuba diving gear. I've used it on Neoprene and it works well. Soak it in that and water over night, take it out and let it dry out of the sunlight. It might help. They sell it in scuba shops and you can probably find it online. It comes in bottles and small 1oz packets.

Good Luck.

 

I had the same problem.....theres really nothing you can do but WAIT! I work for a cleaning company and we have nothing for it. It will wear with time and with it being summer just roll down the window and before you know it the smell will have worn off. My hands even smelled after driving but oh well. I don't even remember when the smell went away so just give it time.

 

Buy a leather one from Wheelskins.

 

My experience with vinyl smells is basically just waiting...

question..I never understood why people put steering wheel covers on their steering wheels...

whats wrong with the stock wheel?

 

Thanks for all the help! I'm soaking the cover while I'm on the computer, gonna see how that works. I'm not too big on anything leather so I'd like to stay away from it as much as possible...I'll let you know how this attempt goes. Thank you everybody!!

 

i just let mine air out...

speedway blue nice color selection!

 

If you can't get the smell out, Wheelskins will let you put a leather one together in different colors.

 

My steering wheel has scratches and cuts all over it...
I wear rings, so anytime I turn the wheel it scratches the wheel..
I wanna get a cover.. I just havent gotten around to it.. Thats the reason I want one.. Some want them for looks.. its just a preference thing..
As for helping you get rid of the smell.. I dont know what to tell ya, if you run the air conditioner, make sure it isnt on recirculate, as that will pull the smell and put it back in the truck.. All I can think of..

 

I soaked it in Lemon Lysol yesterday and that seemed to do the trick, but I haven't been out in my truck yet today to know for sure. As of last night it was just a nice lemon scent. Hopefully the vinyl has given up