Bath and body works car scent not working

We've all used air fresheners to make our cars smell a little more like vanilla, and a little less like french fries. Normally, they just sit in you car until the scent runs out and it's time to replace. But for one woman, things got a little stinky when using a Bath & Body Works Scentportable, and now she's suing.

According to Consumerist, Kira Zander of Florida filed a federal class action lawsuit against the company, because she claims the liquid in Scentportables refills leaked onto her car and caused irreparable damage.

Scentportables are designed to clip onto your air conditioner and release a scent for four to six weeks, according to Bath & Body Works, and Zander told Courthouse News that after less than a month of using it, the fluid had leaked into her center console. The damage was so bad that she reportedly had to replace the entire surface.

While there is a warning on the label that states it's harmful if swallowed, and should be kept out of your eyes, even if you use the product correctly, it could still leak. Although, Zander claims the Scentportables she bought were defective and failed to warn her that they might "leak or melt, thus releasing the harsh chemicals contained therein and damaging consumers' personal property," according to Courthouse News. There have been other complaints from users who say the liquid damaged car consoles, seats and even steering wheels.

Bath & Body Works does not list the ingredients on its website, so there's no real way to tell what's inside the pods, and if said ingredients can cause real damage.

We reached out to the company for comment, but as of press time, we have yet to hear back.

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they don’t smell like 99% of the time. maybe, MAYBE I’ll get a whiff once a month, but other than that i smell nothing.

is there something i’m supposed to remove or the case, or the scent package? am i missing something ?

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level 1

Mine last for exactly 2 days.

level 2

at least yours lasted, mine hardly started

level 1

my friend always has them in her car and I always comment on how good her car smells- it isn’t as in your face as one of those little tree air fresheners, but it’s definitely more than noticeable! I think because we spend so much time smelling them to pick a scent, maybe we’re immune to the scent in the car? just a guess!

level 2

no. and i hate that excuse the salespeople use to push these weak scents. they don't last period! 2 or maybe 3 days of super strong scent and then nothing.

I think BBW needs to redesign their car scent system.

level 1

I didn't smell anything when I had them in my visor clip, but using a vent clip & turning on the heat produces a great smell. They do fade after a couple of weeks & then I throw them in my dresser drawers & they make my socks smell nice.

level 2

nice!! that’s a great idea

level 1

I tried a cactus blossom and couldn’t smell it AT ALL then I read reviews where many others were saying their car scents just don’t work, so I returned the ones I bought. I think they’re generally just a poor product.

level 2

this is super sad to hear considering most of their other stuff is amazing

level 1

If you're talking about the vent/visor clips, all you have to do is pull off the plastic cover over the "membrane" as they call it. I'm using the snickerdoodle one right now and its pretty strong. They don't last super long in Florida, though. I like Yankee Car Jars too, or just having a room spray in my car.

level 2

But there’s still a “membrane” part right? that’s facing out?

level 1

Yeah I think you get used to it in your own car maybe. My mom has one and she gets so frustrated because she doesn’t smell it because when I get in her car the scent is so strong to me. She has cactus blossom for reference

level 2

maybe. next time someone gets in my car i’ll ask them lol

level 2

mine never smelled at all, and it’s still full, that’s why i dont even know if i put it in right. I think i’ma try another and hope it works

level 1

people always tell me my car smells good, i think we get nose blind to it

level 2

Maybe. I’ll switch out so i can get un-nose blinded

level 1

From my experience, it depends on the fragrance... I've had Stress Relief in my car for well over half a year and Relax lasted me for about two months in my closet. I don't use any heavy scented products in other parts of my life, so that may be a contributing factor. Smell blindness is a thing!

level 1

I keep one in my glove box and switch them out every few weeks so I don’t go nose blind.

level 2

Genius. Will definitely do

level 1

I got Twisted Peppermint a couple of weeks ago and I’ll occasionally smell it. It’s pretty poor.

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