How to Get Weed Smell Out of Car: Marijuana Odors in Car

Disclaimer: We do not recommend smoking weed inside a car or driving under the influence of any kind of Cannabis. Always prioritize safety and follow local laws regarding cannabis consumption and vehicle operation. This guide is for informational purposes to help address lingering weed odors and maintain a clean car.

If you’ve ever hotboxed your ride or bought a used car that reeks of cannabis, you know how persistent that odor is. It clings to seats, soaks into carpets, and even hides inside your HVAC system. I’ve spent 15 years detailing cars, and I can tell you one thing for sure: the only way to get weed smell out of a car is to remove the source, neutralize the odor molecules, and treat every part of the cabin. Do not just spray and pray!

Here, I am sharing my secret to removing weed smell from a car. This is the exact method I prefer, especially when someone brings me a car that smells like a dispensary!

Steps to Remove Marijuana Odors from Your Car

Step 1: Air It Out and Strip Everything Down

Before you even think about cleaning products, ventilation is your first move. Roll down every window, open all the doors, and if possible, park the car somewhere breezy.

Let fresh air flow through the cabin for at least 20-30 minutes.

Then strip the interior:

• Remove trash, ash, rolling papers, empty bags (anything that holds odor).

• Take out floor mats, seat covers, and even the spare tire cover in the trunk.

• Vacuum thoroughly, starting from the top (headliner) and working down to the carpets. Use a crevice tool to get between seat cushions and along the door panels.

This simple step often reduces weed smell in a car by half before you even start cleaning!

Step 2: Deep Clean Every Surface (It's Where the Smell Hides)

Here’s the thing most people don’t realize: cannabis odor isn’t floating around; it’s stuck to surfaces. Oils, tar, and resin particles bond to fabric, vinyl, leather, and even the windshield. You need to break that bond.

Fabric & Upholstery

• Lightly spray an interior shampoo or all-purpose cleaner and work it in with a soft brush.

• Don’t soak it! Moisture can push odor deeper into the foam.

• If you have a wet/dry vacuum or extractor, use it to pull out as much residue as possible.

For stubborn smells, sprinkle baking soda onto the seats and carpets, leave it overnight, then vacuum. It’s an old-school trick, but it works.

Leather Surfaces

• Wipe them down with a leather-safe cleaner and a damp microfiber towel.

• Follow with a protectant to keep the material from absorbing future odors.

• Avoid powdered deodorizers as they can damage the finish.

Plastics, Dashboard & Hard Surfaces

• Use a diluted interior cleaner (about 10:1) and a detail brush to remove residue from vents, buttons, and cup holders.

• Cannabis smoke often leaves a greasy film on windows and plastic trim, so degrease thoroughly.

Dilution Ratio Calculator

Headliner

The headliner traps weed smell in a car more than any other surface.

• Use a lightly dampened microfiber towel and a gentle cleaner.

Dab instead of scrubbing. Too much pressure can loosen the glue and cause sagging.

Save upto $71 on car detailing

Book Now

Step 3: Clean the HVAC System: The Hidden Source of Odor

A big reason people struggle with how to get rid of weed smell in a car is that they skip the HVAC system. That’s where a lot of odor lives.

Here’s how to fix it:

1. Spray an AC evaporator cleaner into the intake (usually near the windshield under the hood).

2. Run the fan on high for 10 minutes on “fresh air” mode. This distributes the cleaner through the ducts.

3. Replace the cabin air filter. This is one of the most common sources of lingering cannabis smell, especially if you smoked with the AC or heater running.

If weed smell in car vents is still noticeable, repeat the process and run the fan again. This step alone can solve 50% of HVAC-related odor issues.

Step 4: Deodorize the Entire Cabin (Optional but Worth It)

If you still smell weed in the car after a complete interior cleaning, it’s time for advanced odor removal. This is where detailers separate from DIY jobs.

Option A: Chlorine Dioxide Kit

This is my go-to for most cases. It’s a small tablet you mix with water inside the car. As it releases gas, it neutralizes odor molecules in the air and on surfaces.

• Seal the car and leave it for 4-8 hours.

• Air it out afterward until the smell of chlorine fades.

Option B: Ozone Generator

Ozone is more aggressive and very effective for heavy cases, but it requires caution.

• Place the machine inside the car, run it for 1–2 hours with the HVAC on.

• Do not stay inside during treatment.

• Ventilate thoroughly afterward.

Learn More About Ozone Treatment for Car

Step 5: Final Touches and Prevention

Once the cabin is clean and deodorized, do a final check:

• Spray an enzyme-based odor neutralizer (not a fragrance spray) into seats and carpets.

• Wipe down the steering wheel, gear shifter, and door handles again.

• Leave activated charcoal bags or coffee grounds overnight if a faint smell lingers.

To prevent weed smell from coming back, here’s what I always tell my clients:

• Don’t smoke in the car!! But if you do, keep windows down and recirculation off.

• Replace your cabin filter at least once a year.

• Vacuum monthly and wipe down surfaces before residue builds up.

If you can't help with not smoking inside your car, at least store cannabis in airtight containers to avoid passive odor leaks.

Why Does The Weed Smell Linger?

You may have heard the term "hotboxing," which refers to a group of people smoking marijuana in an enclosed area. This causes the space to fill with smoke, and anyone inside would continue to inhale it. When marijuana is smoked in such a confined space, the odor tends to stick to the car interior like fabric, upholstery, and carpets. Additionally, the smell can also circulate through the car’s HVAC system, becoming trapped in vents and filters.

Related Article: How To Make Car Smell Good?

Save upto $71 on car detailing

Book Now

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for the smell of weed to go away in a car?

The smell of weed can linger in a car for 24 to 72 hours without cleaning. Airing out the vehicle, using odor eliminators, and deep cleaning fabric surfaces can reduce this to under 24 hours. Hot or humid conditions may extend the odor's presence unless treated properly.

Why does the inside of my car smell like weed?

The inside of your car may smell like weed due to recent smoking, residue in upholstery, or cannabis particles trapped in the air vents. Even without active use, the scent can linger if someone previously smoked in the vehicle or transported marijuana in poorly sealed containers.

Does an air freshener get rid of weed smell?

Air fresheners mask the weed smell temporarily but do not eliminate it. They cover odors using fragrance rather than removing the source. We recommend using ventilation, deep cleaning, and odor-neutralizing agents like ozone or activated charcoal for effective weed smoke removal from the car interior.

Does Febreze get rid of weed smell?

Febreze can reduce weed smell by neutralizing some odor molecules, but it does not eliminate the smell completely. The effectiveness depends on ventilation, surface type, and intensity of the smoke.