Cigarette smells in a car can be particularly stubborn and unpleasant, but with the right techniques and tools, a smoker can effectively eliminate it. This article discusses the quick fix tips and the deep cleaning tips on how to remove cigarette smell from car. Read on to discover.
Quick Fix Tips on How to Remove Cigarette Smell from Car
It might be tricky to get rid of the cigarette smell in the car, but these easy solutions can help you deal with the problem successfully:
1. Immediate Cleaning
To tackle cigarette smoke odor effectively, starting with a thorough immediate cleaning is essential. This step focuses on removing ash and debris and cleaning surfaces to significantly reduce the presence of smoke residue and stench in your car
- Remove Ash and Debris, I mean dispose of any ash and cigar butts in the ashtrays and clean out the smell throughout the car with soap and water. You may want to utilize upholstery cleaner for this also.
- Wipe Down Surfaces like the dashboard, steering wheel, console, windows, cup holders, and door panels using a mixture of water and white vinegar or a commercial cleaner like odoban etc.
2. Ventilate the Car
Proper ventilation is crucial to removing smells from your car. By ensuring adequate airflow, you can help disperse lingering smoke and freshen up the interior of the car.
Keep the windows open for several hours or even overnight in a safe location. This allows fresh air to circulate inside the car, and dissipate or remove the smoke smell.
3. Use a Car Air Purifier
Smoke odor eliminators can be an effective tool to get the smoke smell out of a car and provide a more pleasant scent inside your vehicle.
You would want to utilize Whole Car Air Re-Fresher, a Meguiar product known for its ability to get rid of smoke smells and other stubborn odors from vehicles. The product is designed to be used while the car’s ventilation system is running, so it can circulate throughout the entire vehicle, reaching every corner to eliminate stench.
Deep Cleaning Tips for Getting Rid of Cigarette Smell
To thoroughly eliminate the strong smell from a car, deep cleaning is essential. This involves more intensive cleaning methods that target smoke residues embedded in various surfaces and materials.
Vacuum
Use a vacuum cleaner to remove ash and debris from the seats, carpets, and floor mats.
Clean the Headliner
When cleaning a car’s headliner, it’s important to use a gentle fabric cleaner that won’t damage the fabric or adhesive.
Method Fabric Cleaner is a natural fabric cleaner free of harsh chemicals and safe for use on delicate fabrics like headliners. To clean a car’s headliner using Method Fabric Cleaner, first shake the bottle well. Then, spray the cleaner evenly onto a microfiber cloth or sponge and gently scrub the headliner all through. Lastly, use a fresh, moist towel to remove any leftover cleaning.
As an alternative, you may use fabric deodorizers, such as Ozium Air Sanitizer, which is specifically made to remove the smoke and other stinks from upholstery and textiles. To use it, give the can a good shake and spray the ozium evenly over the headliner while holding the container 12 to 18 inches away from the surface. Lastly, let it dry completely before driving the vehicle.
Utilize Odor Neutralizer
One of the well-known odor neutralizers is baking soda, an alkaline substance effective at neutralizing acidic odors.
Sprinkle baking soda on the car seats and carpets, let it sit for six hours or overnight, then vacuum it up. This will absorb the smoke particles, diffuse their effect, and prevent the formation of acidic residues on surfaces.
Replace Cabin Air Filter
Replace the cabin air filter to ensure it’s not harboring smoke smell in your car. To do this:
- Locate the Filter: The cabin air filter is usually located under the hood, behind the glove compartment, or under the dashboard near the passenger’s feet. Its location varies for different car makes and models, so you may want to consult your car’s manual for the exact location.
- Remove the Old Filter: Open the HVAC filter housing and gently remove the old filter.
- Install the New Filter: Before you insert the new filter into the housing, clean the box if there are oil spills in it. While inserting the new filter, ensure that it fits securely and is oriented correctly.
- Close the Housing: Once the new filter is in place, seal the housing and fasten it firmly using the previously removed clips or screws. That’s it!
Professional Services
Consider hiring a professional steam cleaning service, which can penetrate deep into fabrics and materials to remove smoke smell from cars effectively. Alternatively, you could employ the services of a professional detailing service that use ozone machine (s), which break down odor-causing molecules.
Prevention Tips
To prevent smoke smells from accumulating in your car, the following tips are important
- Avoid Smoking in the Car: This is the best way to prevent the odor of smoke from accumulating in your vehicle.
- Use an Air Freshener: Place an air freshener in the vehicle to help mask the smoke smell in a car.
- Clean Regularly: Vacuum and wipe down surfaces in the car regularly to remove any smoke residue.
- Open Windows: If you must smoke in the car, then open the windows to let fresh air circulate through the vehicle.
Conclusion
By following the procedures outlined in this guide, whether it’s quick fixes that mask the odor most times, deep cleaning that remove the smell, or taking preventive measures, you can successfully get rid of the cigarette odor from your automobile and have a cleaner driving experience.
Frequently Asked Questions on (FAQs)
Can stogie smoke damage my car’s interior?
Yes, smoking may leave behind unpleasant odors and yellow stains that can be hard to get rid of.
Is it safe to use bleach or ammonia to clean the car interior?
No, these products are harsh and can be unsafe for the car’s interior and should be avoided.
Can I use a scent diffuser or deodorizer to remove the cigar smell?
Yes, air purifiers can only mask the stench, but they may not be effective in removing the underlying odor as it could still smell after some hours.
What are some common household items that can help remove the smell of smoke?
Baking soda, white vinegar, and coffee grounds are all well-known household items that can help absorb, neutralize, and remove cigarette smoke odor in a car.
