If you smoke, you’ll eventually need to follow the instructions below to get the smoke smell out of a car so that you and your passengers can breathe cleaner air.
How to get cigarette smell out of car? You can get it out by cleaning your car’s interior surfaces, using natural or chemical odor neutralizers, and replacing parts if necessary.
Getting rid of smoke and other unpleasant odors can benefit your health and the comfort of your passengers. If you intend to sell the car, it’s also crucial. You can learn all about how to remove smoke odor from a car by using the guide we’ve created.
What is Smoke Smell in the Car?
The smoking habits of a previous or current owner are one of the most frequent causes of smoke odor in cars. The smell from the smoke can last for a while and can pierce through fabric, hard surfaces, and even the car’s air conditioning system. However, if you detect a burning smell inside your car, stop right away, get out, maintain a safe distance from it, and exercise caution until you can locate the source. It might be a broken auto part, but it’s crucial to exercise caution because there’s a chance it’s a fire.
Here are the benefits of removing a smoke smell from your vehicle:
- Health and safety: By removing smoke particles, you can protect your health and the safety of your fellow passengers while also ensuring that everyone can breathe clean air inside your car.
- Comfort: Making sure your car smells good can help you provide guests with a better experience and ensure your comfort as well as theirs.
- Protection of the vehicle’s interior: It’s crucial to get rid of smoke particles and keep them from re-contacting surfaces because they can harm a car’s interior.
Types of Products for Getting Smoke Smell Out of Your Car
Natural Products
You can try some natural remedies to get rid of smoke and other odors. These techniques, which include the use of charcoal or coffee grounds, could be less expensive than replacing individual components and more environmentally responsible than applying chemicals. Prior to using more aggressive tactics, it is a good idea to try these first.
Cleaning Supplies
One solution for minimizing smoke or other offensive odors in your car is the use of chemical deodorizers and foggers. These are capable of assisting you in cleaning both soft and hard surfaces, and they might be stronger and more efficient than natural remedies. Especially if your car has delicate surfaces like leather, be sure these are safe for the materials. You can also clean out the air conditioning system in your car with some aerosol products.
Part Replacements
An outdated air conditioning system is one of the most frequent causes of a smoke smell. In general, changing your car’s air filters is a good idea, especially if you can smell something unpleasant. If your vehicle has an ashtray, you can also replace it. A car part’s interior or exterior electrical wiring could be the cause of the smoke odor.
How to Get Smoke Smell Out of the Car?
Disclaimer: The recommendations in this account are general in nature and should not be construed as instructions for your particular vehicle. Before starting any repairs, please refer to your owner’s manual or repair guide.
Step 1: Air Out the Smoke Smell from Your Car
Allowing air and wind to circulate will aid in the smoke smell leaving your car. The windows should be left open on a nice, windy day. This can be done while the car is moving or while it is parked.
Step 2: Work on the Floor Mats
You must also clean the floor mats if you want to get rid of the smoke smell in the car because the smell of smoke can also stick to them. Vacuum the mats thoroughly after removing them from the vehicle.
To thoroughly clean the fabric, you can also use a steam cleaner and a degreaser. Baking soda can also be applied to the mats as an alternative. Acidic odors, such as nicotine smoke, can be absorbed by this powder.
Step 3: Clean the Ashtray
There may already be a significant amount of ashes in your car’s ashtray, which also adds to the smokey odor. To clean it, remove the ashtray from the vehicle.
Set it aside to dry for 24 hours after washing. Once it has dried and smelled fresh, replace it.
This guide will go over how to wash a car at home and some frequently asked questions about best practices for washing cars in order to assist you in keeping your car clean.
Step 4: Clear Out and Clean the Glove Compartment
Smoke odor may stick to all car interior items and surfaces. As a result, you should also organize and clean the glove box.
The items in the glove box should be removed. Air out your essentials and throw away the extras.
Using a microfiber cloth and cleaner, clean the glove compartment after removing its contents.
Step 5: Change Cabin Air Filter
For the majority of cars, changing the cabin air filter doesn’t typically require any tools.
Typically, an old cabin air filter could be easily removed from behind the glove box. Pull it out, throw it away, and then install the new cabin air filter.
Step 6: Vacuum and Wipe the Car Interior
To remove ashes, cigarette butts, and other contaminants, thoroughly vacuum your car’s interior. Ashes would frequently find their way into cracks and underneath chairs, so pay close attention to those areas.
Before you begin cleaning the interior of your car’s hard-to-reach areas, attach the crevice tool attachment to the vacuum cleaner.
To clean the interior of the car, use a microfiber cloth and a hard surface cleaner, such as Microban 24.
Spray Microban 24 onto a surface, then wipe it down to use it. Or, if you decide to use another commercial cleaner, just follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Just use a fresh cloth to wipe the seat belts.
The interior windows can also be thoroughly cleaned by spraying a commercial glass cleaner on them and then wiping them down.
A homemade window cleaner can be made by combining two cups of water, half a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid, and a quarter cup of vinegar in a spray bottle. Then thoroughly shake them inside the bottle.
Read More: How To Clean Your Car Windows?
Tips:
- Instead of a standard vacuum, you could use a steam cleaner in this step to get rid of the odor of smoke from the car.
- You must use a cleaner that is safe to use on leather for your car’s trim, seats, and other surfaces. Apply leather conditioner as well after cleaning. Learn more about how to clean cloth car seats here.
Don’t forget to look to see if the steering wheel is leather.
Step 7: Clean the Vents and Use a Car Freshener Spra
It’s crucial to clean the vents in your car if you want to get rid of the cigarette smell. To begin with, use a damp cloth or a small detailing brush to clean the vents. Second, use a steam cleaner to pass steam through them while turning on the vents’ circulation.
The smell of cigarettes in a car can be eliminated by spraying a freshener. Pick a no-residue formula that is designed for smokers and use the solution on car upholstery, including the seats and seat backs.
The odor neutralizer should also be sprayed into your heating system, as I advise.
Next, unlock your car’s four doors. After that, you can leave it for 30 or more minutes.
Step 8: Check the Car and Leave An Odor-Absorbent Substance in It
It’s finally time to see if you were able to remove the smoke smell from the car.
Before closing your car again, make sure the interior is completely dry because moisture in the interior can also result in mold growth and a bad smell.
In addition to cleaning the interior of the car, you can also leave an odor-absorbent substance inside, particularly if there is some residual smoke smell. Below is a list of options for odor-absorbent substances that you can use:
- Coffee Grounds
You can use household items like coffee grounds, which are widely available, as odor absorbers. Coffee grounds can be placed in a bowl and left in your car overnight to help eliminate the smell of smoke.
- Baking Soda
If you bake, it should be simple to locate a box of baking soda in your kitchen. You can simply crack open the box and leave it in your car, or you can sprinkle the powder on odorous areas.
- White Vinegar
White vinegar should be added to a bowl, which should then be left in the car overnight to absorb the smell of smoke.
- Cat Litter
In order to eliminate the odor of smoke, a bowl of cat litter can also be left in a car overnight. Continue if required for one more night.
- Citrus Peels
Citrus fruit peels, such as those from oranges, lemons, limes, or grapefruits, can not only get rid of the smell of smoke in your car but also leave a pleasant scent behind. For a period of 48 hours, you may keep a plate of any citrus fruit in your vehicle.
Make sure to keep the car’s windows closed to avoid luring insects.
- Charcoal
Due to its high porosity, charcoal is able to absorb odors. For at least 36 to 48 hours, keep a bowl of it in the car.
Also Read: Why Does My Car Smell Like Gas?
FAQs
How to Get Cigarette Smell Out of Car Air Conditioner?
- Car parked, windows rolled up.
- Directly spray the deodorant into the vents and all around the car seats.
- Start the engine and the air conditioner.
How Do Dealerships Get the Smoke Smell Out of Cars?
On the carpet and upholstery of the cars they sell, car dealers frequently use a commercial spray cleaner. For odor removal, the dealer may sprinkle baking soda on the floor. Some retailers might have an ozone machine that eliminates odors.
Many auto dealers have full-service detail shops that use industrial steam cleaners to speed up the process.
How Long Does It Take to Get Cigarette Smell Out of Car?
The smell that tobacco leaves behind can remain in the car for up to 48 hours after you’ve cleaned it. One of the odor-removal solutions will work better if the interior of the car is clean before applying it. It won’t take long for your car to smell normal again.
How Much Does It Cost to Get the Smell of Smoke Out of Your Car?
You can eliminate the smoke smell yourself for less than $30. These services can cost up to $150 if you decide to have them performed professionally.
How to Get Cigarette Smell Out of Room?
Try wiping down furniture, washable walls, floors, etc. with white vinegar. Another option is to scatter several bowls of vinegar throughout the smoke-damaged room and leave them there for a few days.
If the smell of vinegar bothers you, try incorporating some lavender oil into the bowls to help mask it.
How to Get Cigarette Smell Out of Clothes?
The best method for eradicating the smell of smoke from clothing is to wash it in a washing machine with a generous amount of baking soda. Smoke stains and odors can be removed from clothing using baking soda, a natural laundry booster.
Final Words: Prevent Smoke Smell in the Future
One of the best ways to eliminate smoke odor from your vehicle is prevention. Make sure your air conditioner is filtering fresh outdoor air and not recirculating air from the inside of the vehicle.
Keep your windows open if you smoke in your car to prevent smoke from getting stuck inside.
To lessen smoke contact with the interior surfaces of your car, you can also use an ashtray cup with a cover or a smoke diffuser.
Read Next: How To Keep A White Car Clean?
