If you have purchased a used car or had a passenger who smokes inside the car, you know that getting rid of that lingering smoke smell can feel like an impossible task. Especially for non-smokers, the smell of your car may be unpleasant. But don’t worry - you are not stuck with that smell forever!
Whether you are freshening up your ride or tackling the problem left by the previous owner, this guide will help you eliminate that cigarette smoke smell and get you back to enjoying your future rides.
Effective Smoke Smell Removal Methods
Deep Clean
The first step to remove the smoke odor from your car is to give your car a thorough cleaning. Smoke particles like cigarette smoke can settle into every surface, so make sure you focus on all the nooks and crannies while cleaning. Also, don’t forget to take out all the items from your car and get rid of any signs of cigarette residue or ash.
Deep Clean Guide
- Vacuum Everywhere: Vacuum all the areas of your car’s interior including seats, floor mats, and the carpet. Don’t forget the ceiling, as smoke rises and can cling to the top
- Shampoo Upholstery: If your seats and carpets are washable fabrics, shampoo all the areas carefully with an upholstery cleaner designed for the car. If you have leather seats, use a leather cleaner.
For more help, check out our useful guides on how to clean your car interior and how to clean car seats.
2. Clean Hard Surfaces:
Smoke residue can easily build up on the hard surfaces of your car like the dashboard, steering wheel, and door panels. Use an appropriate car cleaner for these surfaces, such as a general-purpose car cleaner or a mixture of water and mild soap.
Wipe down every hard surface thoroughly and pay special attention to areas like cup holders, and the gear shift, where reside can accumulate.
3. Tackle the Air Vents and Change Cabin Air Filter
Smoke easily spreads throughout your car’s ventilation system, so it’s important to replace the cabin filter and clean the air vents to prevent the smell from circulating.
Guide to Clean Air Vents
- Use a vent cleaner: Spray a car vent cleaner into the air vents by following the product’s instructions. This can help to neutralize odors trapped inside the vents.
- Change the Cabin Air Filter: As cabin air filters trap dust and smoke particles, replacing them can significantly improve the air quality inside your car.
4. Neutralize Odor with DIY Methods
Sometimes, natural and DIY methods work like magic. Natural odor absorbers like baking soda and charcoal can work wonders on smoke smell trapped inside the car.
How To Use Natural Remedies to Neutralize Odors
- Baking Soda: Sprinkle baking soda on your car seats, carpets, and mats. Let it sit for a few hours (or overnight if possible), then vacuum it up. Baking soda absorbs the odor leaving your car smelling fresh.
- Bamboo Charcoal Bags: Place a few bags of activated charcoal in the trunk or under the seats. The bamboo charcoal bag works by absorbing moisture and odors from the air and is an excellent natural way to neutralize the odor of your car’s interior.
5. Odor Eliminator Spray
If you don’t want to rely on natural methods to eliminate the smoke, there are many options with a car-specific odor eliminator spray. These products are specially designed to neutralize odors rather than just mask them, providing a long-lasting solution.
Get your favorite air freshener and spray it generously on the seats, carpets, and headlines, as these are the areas most likely to hold onto the smoke smell.
6. Professional Ozone Treatment
Ozone treatment generates ozone inside the car which neutralizes and eliminates strong odors. If the smoke has been in the car for a long time or the smoke smell is particularly stubborn, then this method is the most effective way to get rid of the smoke smell from a car. It is best to do this professionally, as Ozone can be dangerous.
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What To Expect From an Ozone Treatment
- Professional Service: This treatment is offered only by car detailing services and professionals and can take a few hours. The ozone gas is circulated throughout the car to eliminate the odors.
Conclusion
Clearing smoke from your car depends on your situation, so you need to figure out if you are interested in just clearing up (and smoking again inside the car) or completely getting rid of the smell. Well, if you are thinking about quick freshening up, some DIY and basic cleaning should work for you, but if you are trying to get rid of the smoke smell completely you might need to consider deep cleaning or professional car detailing service.
If you are interested in auto detailing for your car care needs, contact Panda Hub now! Panda provides top-notch auto detailing service with professional detailers to your doorstep ensuring you get the best version of your car.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to get a smoke smell out of a car?
Yes, there are a lot of ways to get the smoke smell out of your car.
One of the most common ways is to sprinkle baking soda on your car for a few hours and vacuum it up. As baking soda is a great odor neutralizer, it absorbs the smoke of cigarettes or weeds and leaves your car fresh.
How long does it take for the smell of smoke to go away in a car?
There is no proof of how long it takes for the smell of smoke to go away but, some of the resources say it can take up to 48 hours.
However, the duration depends on the severity of the smell and the treatments you use to eliminate it.
Can car detailing remove the smoke smell from a car?
Yes, car detailing can help to remove the smoke smell from a car.
Car detailing is performed by experts with years of experience and the process includes deep cleaning of the car’s interior, including vacuuming, shampooing upholstery, cleaning air vents, and using specialized odor eliminators.
How to get cigarette smell out of car vents?
To remove cigarette smell from car vents, clean the vents using a specialized cleaner and a detailing brush, replace the cabin air filter, and run the air system to circulate fresh air.
