Replace The Cabin Filter
The cabin filter is responsible for removing allergens and contaminants from the interior of the vehicle. If you smoke in the car, this cabin filter is also soaking up the smell from cigarettes.
Even if you arent a smoker, you will want to replace the cabin filter on a regular basis. Find the recommended service schedule in your owners manual.
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How Does Smoke Smell Get Into Your Car
Smoking in cars has been around since cars existed. Lately, the popularity of smoking has started to wane, but it is still common. Depending on your preference, that could be a good or bad thing. The problem that most people find when smoking in a car is that the smoke odor can linger for quite some time. There is no documented proof of how long the cigarette smell can linger, but most sources say that it can take up to 48 hours to get rid of the smell.
When exhaled, cigarette smoke tends to sit in mid-air. Most of the time, you can see it hanging there. As the smoke begins to cool, it sinks. This is because tobacco smoke is heavier than air. As the smoke sinks, it lands on any surface beneath it in the car interior. There it sits until it dissipates or gets sent out of the car. While the smoke and its particles lie on these surfaces, they permeate anything that is porous, like seat fabric or upholstery. They also stick to anything that is not, like leather and vinyl. Until this film is cleaned or vacuumed up, it tends to take on a stale odor.
Consider Your Air Filter
Every vehicle has an air filter located inside the cabin that filters dirt and odors. This filter can be the cause of persistent smoke smell. The exact location of the cabin air filter may be different for every vehicle, so its best to consult your owners manual. Be prepared to be surprised when you see just how dirty this filter is!
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Careful With The Headliner
Start by very gently brushing away surface dirt with a soft brush and then a light application of upholstery cleaner on the stained parts. Be careful when wiping the headliner dry, too much pressure could separate the adhesive, and reupholstering a headliner is about as much fun as trying to kick one of the giant red balls outside of Target.
A Commercial Solution For Smoke And Tobacco Smell Removal
There are commercial car air re-freshers and odor bombs that you can buy. These aerosol cans permeate all areas and eliminate all kinds of odors, including smoke. Many people do not recommend them for continual use as there are more complete solutions if you keep the interior clean, and use one of the odor-removal techniques mentioned above.
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Auto Shocker Clo2 Odor Eliminator Quick Release
- Details
- SKU: ASQR15Manufacturer: Biocide Systems
- Description
- Good for any vehicle interior. Compact, Full Size, or SUV. Eliminates severe odors*, guaranteed. Not a masking agent. Because Auto Shocker works like fumigation bomb it will effectively reach places that other products just cant get to and safely eliminate the odors.It literally seeks out the odor causing molecules like a smart bomb. The ClO2 vapors will permeate the headliner, visors, seat cushions, glove compartment, carpet, floor mats and all nooks and crannies where odors get trapped. It will even clear out your HV/AC unit from mildew musty stale odors.
Eliminate Gasoline Odor With Essential Oils
Most commercial carpet deodorizers use a powder base mixed with chemical additives to leave a fragrance behind. The downside of commercial carpet products is that the powder may clog your vacuum, and the overpowering scents used may cause headaches. Create your own solution for removing the smell of gas from your carpet.
- 30 drops essential oil
Pour baking soda into a Mason jar and add the essential oil of your choice. The best option for removing odor is lavender oil with baking soda. Close the jar and shake to mix.
Remove the lid of the jar and replace the inner cover with plastic. Poke holes in the plastic cover with a fork to allow you to shake the powder out of the jar. Apply the powder liberally to the stained area of your carpet. Leave the powder overnight before vacuuming in the morning.
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Work On The Floor Mats
The smell of smoke can also adhere to floor mats, so you also need to clean them to get rid of smoke smell in car. Take the mats out of the car and vacuum them thoroughly.
You may also use a steam cleaner and a degreaser to further clean the fabric. Another option is to sprinkle baking soda on the mats. This powder can absorb acidic smells, including nicotine smoke.
Does Kitty Litter Absorb Cigarette Smell
Cat litter is another great way to absorb the smell. Just pour it into a bowl and let it soak up the smoke. The best part is, you can reuse it for your feline friend, so you’re never really inconveniencing them or spending extra money. As a bonus, cat litter in the car will also help keep your windows from fogging up!
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Get Smoke Smell Out Of Your Air Vents
Replacing the cabin air filter in your vehicle can do a lot to eliminate smoke smell, but you can also deodorize your entire air system. How? First, find the air intake by consulting your owners manual. Then turn on your ignition and turn the dials to the coolest temperature at the highest fan speed.
Open all windows and spray a deodorizing solution directly into the air intake. This solution can be cleaning vinegar and water, a deodorizer spray made specifically for vehicles, and even steam from your steam cleaner.
After spraying your solution into the air intake, turn off your ignition and allow your vehicle to sit with windows open for a few minutes.
Ensuring youve completed all of the above steps will help you clean your car and get rid of cigarette smoke smell.
How To Get Smoke Smell Out Of Car Surfaces
Cigarette smoke is one of the most potent and hard to remove odors in vehicles. Smoke is difficult to remove from cars because it penetrates upholstery, carpet, hard surfaces and it infiltrates the air system. The good news is, whether you would like your car to smell like new, youre selling your used car, or need to get smoke smell out of a car fast when returning a rental car, you can learn how to get smoke smell out of car surfaces in 3 simple steps.Reading time: 4 mins
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Thorough Clean All Upholstery Carpets Vents And Under Seat Covers
Getting rid of smoke smells is a process that includes thorough cleaning each and every part of your car. Here is a step by step process on how to get smoke smell out of a car:
First, remove all upholstery and carpeting from the vehicle so that you can clean them with an enzyme-based cleaner. If there are any loose items in the back seat or under the front seats, carefully remove those as well and clean them later. Next, spray the upholstery and carpet with an enzyme-based cleaner that breaks down odors at their source. These cleaners can be bought from any grocery store or hardware store as they are common household products. Make sure to avoid bleach-based cleaners as these will simply mask the smoke smell instead of removing it. Once the cleaner has been applied, let it soak in for 10 minutes before scrubbing with a brush and using a towel to wipe off residue. Repeat the process if necessary until you are satisfied that all of the cigarette odors have been removed from your car.
Finally, clean any upholstered areas of your car using your vacuums upholstery attachment to remove any leftover dirt, grime or debris. This process is especially important if you have pets that ride in your car often as they can leave hair behind even after vacuuming.
Household Remedies To Remove Cigarette Smell
- A cup of white vinegar can be used to eliminate the smoke smell inside your car. The process is pretty simple: pour vinegar into a cup and leave it overnight in your car.
- Another excellent household item that can be used to get rid of the smoke smell is baking soda. Simply sprinkle the baking soda on the floor mats, wait for a little while, and vacuum it.
- Placing coffee grounds in your car can help mask the smoke smell. Remember, though, that it cannot eliminate the smell.
- Try placing a bowl of charcoal under your cars seat to remove the smoke smell altogether.
The most significant precaution that you can follow to prevent your car from falling prey to the smoke smell is never smoke or allow anyone to smoke in your car. Were sure your car is your prized possession, and you want to treat it will all the love it deserves.
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Begin The Basic Interior Detailing
Vacuum: The first step in the cleaning process is to completely vacuum the vehicle. This will include anything that can be vacuumed including floor carpet, floor mats, seats, headrests, plastic trim parts and all compartments.
Steam Cleaning: Once everything is vacuumed, steam clean your cloth seats, headrest, and floorboards and rear seating, trunk and any other locations that are carpeted or cloth. This is crucial as smoke will stick to anything porous, so if you want to do a good job go the extra mile.
Spray Plastic and Vinyl: After youve steam cleaned the vehicle, continue with spraying the vinegar/distilled water solution on vinyl and plastic components. The best method is to spray onto a microfiber cloth, wipe down a section, then use a clean and dry microfiber cloth to dry.
Remove Air Vents from Dash and Clean: The next step is to remove the air vents from your dash, or gain access to behind them to fully wipe down the vents, vent tubes, and remove the cabin filter .
The key here is to use that same vinegar/distilled water solution to remove any stuck-on tobacco or chemicals. If you dont do this step, the moment you turn the air or heat on your car, the cabin will just continue to smell like smoke.
If you dont have the ability to remove the dash or air vents, one alternative option is to use an odor neutralizer spray. Its not as effective as the first method mentioned above, but it will help to remove stuck on tar from cigarette smoke.
Avoiding Thirdhand Smoke Buildup
If you smoke at home, taking proactive measures to reduce the smell on a daily basis will help eliminate buildup. These measures can include:
- keeping open containers of charcoal or white vinegar in each room, to absorb the smell and changing them weekly
- ventilating your environment, perhaps by directing a fan to blow smoke out the window, and smoking cigarettes only near open windows
- running air purifiers with HEPA filters in each room
- changing filters and cleaning out air ducts of air conditioners, heaters, or furnaces as often as possible to avoid reintroducing the smell
- steam cleaning upholstered furniture, carpets, and other soft surfaces
- washing curtains, draperies, tablecloths, and items such as stuffed animals, once a week
- storing items airtight in closets
- using dryer sheets to rub down mattresses and pillows and items that cant be washed, such as books
- washing floors, walls, windows, and other hard surfaces with cleaning solutions that contain baking soda, bleach, or vinegar
- masking the smell by burning incense or using essential oils
If you smoke in your car, the smell is bound to linger. You can reduce it by:
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Vacuum And Wipe The Car Interior
Thoroughly vacuum clean the interior of your car to get rid of ashes, cigarette butts, and other contaminants. Pay special attention to the crevices and underneath the seats, as ashes would often end up in them.
Attach the crevice tool attachment to the vacuum cleaner before you work on the hard-to-reach areas of your cars interior.
In addition to vacuuming, use a microfiber cloth and a hard surface cleaner like Microban 24 to clean the car interior.
To use Microban 24, spray it onto a surface and wipe it. Or if you go with another commercial cleaner, just use it as per product instructions.
Regarding the seat belts, simply wipe them with a clean cloth.
Similarly, for cleaning the interior windows, you can spray a commercial glass cleaner on them, then wipe them thoroughly.
If you want to use a DIY window cleaner instead, you can create one by mixing a quarter cup of vinegar, a half teaspoon of dishwashing liquid, and two cups of water in a spray bottle. Then shake them thoroughly inside the bottle.
Tips:
- You may use a steam cleaner in this step instead of a regular vacuum to remove smoke smell from car.
- For leather car seats and surfaces as well as the trim in your car, you must use a cleaner thats safe to use on those surfaces. After cleaning, apply a leather conditioner as well. You can learn more about how to clean leather car seats here.
Remember to check the steering wheel and see whether its made of leather.
Cleaning Products To Be Wary Of
When dealing with pets, there are a few ingredients to be careful of when using cleaning products that your pets will come into contact with, as they can be allergic and react to a few common products. Heres a quick list of chemicals wed suggest looking out for.
- Ammonia: cleaning products that contain ammonia can burn mucous membranes and when mixed with bleach, cause a poisonous gas that can be deadly to animals.
- Formaldehyde: sometimes used in soap products, this is a carcinogen that is known to contribute to asthma even in pets.
- Laundry detergent: check to make sure there are no toxic ingredients in the laundry detergent youre using, as the residue thats leftover can affect pets.
All Rug Doctor products are safe for use around pets, but we do recommend you keep your pets away from the cleaning area until it has completely dried, our products are non-toxic and safe to use for your whole family.
For more information about any of the Rug Doctor services, please dont hesitate to get in touch with one of the friendly team members today we would love to help you find a solution to your cleaning needs!
Rug Doctor NZ 24/7 Helpline 0800 800 245
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Stub Out Stubborn Cig Smells
Once your seats are completely dry, use something thats dry and porous to soak up any pervading pongs. If you fancy another round with the vacuum, you can liberally scatter baking soda over the seats and floor and let it work its magic for a few days before hoovering it up thoroughly. Cat litter will work too just remember to close the windows or you might find next doors cat leaving an unwelcome surprise on the seat! If you dont mind the smell of coffee, lorry drivers swear by leaving bowls of freeze-dried instant coffee around the car overnight to wipe out any unpleasant whiffs.
Be Careful If You Remove The Nicotine Smell With Ozone
You will often hear that you can easily remove smoke odours with an ozone treatment. Although this works well in most cases, you should really take your time if you do. There are several reasons for this: If the car is not completely dry again after the interior cleaning, which is always the first step, saltpetre is formed during the ozone cleaning and this has a very unpleasant odour of its own. The humidity during cleaning should be less than 50 %. The other reason is even more important. When ozone meets nicotine, tiny aerosol particles can form. They consist of water and solids and are even smaller than fine dust. If inhaled, these can cause breathing difficulties and asthma if they get into the lungs. Accordingly, it is important that the ozone treatment is carried out long enough. The gas should stay in the car for 24 hours for it to react completely. Afterwards, thorough ventilation of the car, preferably with the aid of compressed air, is recommended. Generally, ozone treatment should be the last option for smokers’ cars.
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How To Get A Smoke Smell Out Of A Car
When you purchase a used car, there are some things you can easily fix. Polishing scratches on the paint, installing new wheels and tires, or even changing out interior features simply takes some time, money, and a little skill if you do it yourself. However, when it comes to getting smoke smell out of your car, thats a horse of a different color.
There are several proven methods for removing smoke smell. But honestly, most of the time, the aroma of burnt tobacco comes back into car. Tobacco smoke is some pretty toxic stuff, especially when you consider that there are more than 50,000,000 people diagnosed with lung cancer across the globe every year. While these diagnoses may not all be due to smoking, its pretty clear the stuff can leave behind a lasting mark.
But, were not here to preach just to provide some tips. So, if youre looking to remove the aroma of burned tobacco products, this guide should help.
