The Surprising Reason Some Idahoans Keep Tea Bags In Their Cars

"Where's that smell coming from!?"

It doesn't matter if you're single and cruising in a new Camaro or hauling the Brady Bunch around Boise in the back of a minivan, at some point we've all dealt with a mystery smell in our car.

But why? Where does it come from? Honestly, it depends.

The smelly car struggle is real for parents. 

But we cracked that code a while ago. Seasoned Idaho parents know snacks, spilled drinks, vomit, and kids (by virtue of their kidness) are four of the most common causes behind the rank aroma in our ride.

Add 106 degrees of Idaho summer heat to the mix, and you've got yourself a recipe for a dumpster on wheels.

I'm still so scarred from the ghosts of disgusting car smells past that I still don't let my tween and her teammates have ketchup or yogurt-anything in my car. I love 'em more than life itself, but all trust is gone when it's my night to pull dinner-carpool-duty after practice.

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The kid-free crowd is no exception to odd & unpleasant car smells. 

Gym bags, pets, e-cigs, and the Chick-Fil-A bag you forgot to toss on your ride home from work the night before can out-do some of the nastiest smelling kid cars around.

Sometimes, old window seals that trap moisture and leaky cooling systems are the reason your car smells like a toilet bowl.

You've tried air fresheners, vent clips, leaving the windows cracked in the shade, and prayer, but nothing seems to help.

An old-school tip I learned from my elderly Idaho neighbor could solve your smelly problem!

The next time you brew a cup of tea, don't toss the tea bag out!

Tea bags have superpowers more of us need to tap into. Dry tea leaves absorb moisture and water, making them ideal car deodorizers. Slipping a steepened tea bag under each seat in your car, your trunk, and even inside your glove box and console will leave your car smelling fresh or like nothing at all.

Not only will there be a fresh smell in your car, but it will also help to absorb moisture, which can eradicate bacteria responsible for bad odors. -Reader's Digest

RD also points out freshening your car with steepened tea bags is cheaper than store-bought options. And a wide range of tea flavors means you have dozens of fresh scents to choose from.

During Boise's rainy springs and scorching summers, I prefer teas with minty and lemony aromas. During fall and winter, cooler temps mean I can go for cozier scents like apple spice and vanilla.

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