How to Remove Cigarette Smoke Smell from Cars
An unmistakable odor, cigarette smoke is both unpleasant and persistent. It lingers on just about any material, especially clothing, and fabric, and it can leave behind a film on hard surfaces. When a car smells like cigarettes, you know who has been behind the wheel. Most non-smokers cannot bear the odor and stale air. If you want to know how to get that cigarette smell out of a car, here are a few effective tips that can help.Why Is Removing Smoke Smell from Cars so Hard?
Smoke is notorious for being incredibly difficult to remove, especially from cars. This is for a few reasons. First, smoke is able to penetrate all of the surfaces in a car, even hard surfaces like the dashboard and air vents.
The space inside a car is very small, giving smoke fast and easy access to interior surfaces. Smoke will also settle in hard or impossible-to-reach areas like the spaces between your back seats. So even if you do clean every other part of the interior, that smoke smell can return and be noticeable whenever you get in your vehicle.
Thankfully, there are many ways to get rid of the smell of smoke in a car without paying for professional car odor removal.
How Do You Get Smoke Smell Out of a Car?
In order to remove cigarette smell from a car, it’s necessary to focus on those areas which can cause the smell of smoke to linger. This will require some time to accomplish properly, but the reward will be that you’ll eliminate the smoke odor from your car. Complete each of the tasks below, and you will have accomplished car detailing to remove smoke smell.
Give the Car a Thorough Cleaning
Ashes and residue from cigarettes are the biggest culprits of cigarette smell in the car. Start by sweeping away any ash or dust on surfaces throughout the interior. That includes the windshield and windows. Wipe them down until no residue is left behind. This can start to decrease the cigarette odor in your car.
A portable vacuum comes in very handy for car cigarette smell removal, because it can remove scent particles from nooks and crannies in your vehicle. Target hard-to-reach areas such as the crevices in the seats, between the seat cushions, and on the center console, dashboard, vents, and other tight spaces. Particles can easily remain hidden there while continuing to emit odors, so vacuum every hard and soft surface you can find.
Clean the Ash Tray Thoroughly
A car’s built-in ashtray is convenient, except that it’s a primary source of smoke odors. To alleviate the smell, remove the ashtray, discard its contents in the trash, and wash it thoroughly with soap and water. Then allow it to air out and dry for at least 24 hours. The ashtray should now be dry and odor-free; if so, re-insert it in its original location.
An ashtray can fill up quickly for a frequent smoker. You can prevent or slow down the buildup of ash and smoke odors by using an ashtray cup with a cover and smoke diffuser. It can help keep the odors from entering the cabin. Superior Car Wash Supply carries a line of Smoke-Free Ashtrays that help remove odors.
Deep Clean Soft Surfaces
When vacuuming or using cleaning products for cigarette smell car removal, be especially attentive to the vehicle’s carpeting, upholstery, and floor mats. If your car has leather surfaces and trim, use a cleaner approved for use with them, as it’ll not only remove smoke particles and odors more effectively, but prevent avoidable damage as well. Also, clean the surface more than once because smoke can reach deep into any surface.Wondering how to get cigarette smell out of car seats? Cleaning the seats is important, as ash can easily fall straight down and land in the seat fabric. If the seat cover can be removed, do so and clean it outside the car. Once it is vacuumed, spray-cleaned, and aired out, you can put the cover back on. Do the same with any floor mats in your vehicle.
Wipe Down All Hard Surfaces
That includes windows, mirrors, the dashboard, steering wheel, and interior door panels. The interior surface cleaners and microfiber towels we sell are ideal for wiping up smoke residue. Clean every surface you can reach. Even a small area of accumulated residue or ash can release odors throughout your car’s interior. Whatever cleaning product you use, be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions fully before you start using it, which can ensure a safe and odor-free car.
Change the Interior Air Filter
The air filter serving your vehicle’s interior cabin can collect a lot of dirt, grime, and odors. Smoke can easily get trapped in the filter media, so odors get recirculated over and over. In most cars, the cabin air filter can be accessed through the glove box, by pressing down a tab or removing screws with a screwdriver. Note the location and position of the filter, and then remove it. Vacuum up any debris and install the new filter in the proper direction (typically shown by arrows on the filter itself) so the filter media eliminates airborne particles.
Deodorize the HVAC System
Another method to remove smoke smell from a car is to blow a deodorizer through the HVAC. First, open all the windows. Next, check near the base of the windshield for the HVAC intake (this is where you’ll spray the deodorizer). With the ignition on, change your air conditioning setting to recirculate and turn the fan to the highest setting. The temperature should be set at the lowest possible.If you have an extension tube, insert it into the vents. Otherwise, spray the deodorizer through the intake directly. Shut off the car and let it sit with the windows open. Smoke odors should disappear after the deodorizer settles. If you want to know how to remove cigarette residue from a car’s air conditioning system at its source, make sure to wipe the vents clean and change the AC filter regularly.
Deodorize the Car’s Interior
Why You Need to Eliminate Smoke Odors from a Car
A strong cigarette smoke smell is unpleasant for any non-smoker passengers. Getting rid of odors, ash, and smoky residue also helps take care of your vehicle. While cigarette smoke doesn’t officially reduce value, dealers can make valuation decisions based on the presence of odors and nicotine staining. For a non-smoker, the stale odor can make or break their decision to buy a used car, whether they are buying from a private seller or a dealer.
Auto detailing can remove smoke smell, but this can be time-consuming and expensive. Fortunately, Superior Car Wash Supply offers numerous air-freshening products that can help get smoke smell out of your car quickly, easily and for good. These include products from leading brands such as Dakota Products, Inc., as well as Little Trees, Febreze, Scentique, Yankee Candle, and California Scents.
For the best results, look for a product that neutralizes odors at the molecular level. This ensures smoke particles are broken down, which means that they will not linger and the odor won’t return after the deodorizer wears off.
Order Air Fresheners and Car Accessories Today
Superior Car Wash Supply offers the Non-Smoke Spray Can Air Freshener 12 Ounce Case Pack from Dakota Products, Inc. and many other odor neutralizers. We also have glass cleaners, microfiber towels, sponges, and accessories such as floor mats, seat cushions, and maintenance brushes.If you own a car wash or detailing business, you can help customers get rid of smoke smell with quality products from Superior Car Wash Supply. Zero Smoke personal spray and spray air freshener products destroy cigarette odors immediately. The Armor All Fresh FX air freshener keeps your car smelling fresh and smoke-free with fresh citrus.
We are the one-stop shop for car wash, vending, detailing and other auto businesses. If your car smells like cigarettes, browse our online catalog to find the odor eliminator you need and place your order. For assistance, use our chat feature or call us directly at 800-554-9274, today!