how do i get cigarette smoke odor out of a car?

Question

i recently got a car back and its trashed and smells horrible from smoking it in just wondering what the best way is to remove that smell so its like new again (or almost new). without having to take it and have it detailed. i need to get this car cleaned up so i can sell it. thanks.

Answer 1

I've fixed this issue before. Years ago, I had a sports car that was completely worthless in the snow, so I bought a really old nasty Buick to drive when the weather turned sour. Part of the reason I got it so cheap was that it REEKED of cigarettes, B.O., and other things you don't want to hear about. This worked for me:

1) Clean the heck out of the car. Remember to really scrub the windows, because they're likely coated in a film of nicotine.

2) When the car is actually clean, Febreeze the daylights out of all the cloth surfaces...I'm talking use two bottles of the stuff and really got all the surfaces soaked.

3) Leave the car sitting in a garage for 24 hours.

The stink will be a thing of the past...as long as you don't mind it smelling like a load of fresh laundry.

Answer 2

I had this same problem recently too for selling a car. I washed the seats and carpet on the floor. I also bought an air freshener. The smell pretty much went away after that. If it's still there try some car Febreze.

Answer 3

A couple have mentioned this and by no means am I trying to steal anyones thunder!!! This is what I have.....and it worked. Spray IN all your vents with febreeze, soak them if you have to. If you have material type seats put downward pressure on them to compress the cushions - as you release spray the febreeze to get it in there, it wont stain!! Then spray the rest of the car with the same. pen all your vents and turn your fan on high for a few minutes. Next leave your windows down for as long as possible to air it out. I find everything else just "masked" the odour. Febreeze must have something in it that brakes down the odour molecules. Give it a go - worked for me. Hope I helped Cheers PS My mother is a non-smoker and she couldnt tell the car had ever been smoked in!!!!!

Answer 4

Clean the fabric with carpet cleaner, clear the plastic and vinyl with ammonia or a light degreaser, then store open cans of coffee in the closed car for awhile (coffee adsorbs odors). Only then add new car smell masking agents.

Answer 5

you can shampoo the carpet,,and the seats if there cloth,,also buy a lot of febreeze,,and keep laying it in there,,you will be able to get a lot of it out,,and keep the windows down on it for as long as you can,,clean all the glass really good because the glass will hold a lot of odor,,also the headliner will smell like it also,you cant really clean it to good,,ot it may drop down on you,,lightly spray it with some febreeze,,and just keep cleaning small things like all the ash trays,,you,ll be able to get most of it out,,good enough to sell anyway,,good luck with it,,i hope this help,s.

Answer 6

take it to a car wash that has a shampooer for the seats and rugs but if you have leather just use the leather and shampoo the rugs clean out the vents with qtips in case ashes went in and keep a air freahner in the car for a couple days

Answer 7

Stick an open box of arm and hammer baking soda in overnight. The next day, spray the crap out of it with FaBreeze and leave the doors and windows shut. Spray again and leave the baking soda in for yet another night. Repeat as neccessary.

Answer 8

First of all, everything inside the car is coated in nicotine and tar. Wash everything you can in glass cleaner or a ammonia mix, then follow up with air fresheners and fabreeze ect....

Answer 9

Get 90% rubbing alcohol from the local store. Sprinkle it on the fabric areas.

Answer 10

You can try Fabreeze and if that doesn't work, then you must use a spray made of pure orange peel oil.