Get rid of smoke smell in car interior?

Question

What can I use to get rid of (not cover up) the nasty cigarette smell in the headliner and interior of a used car that I just bought for my daughter? Great deal on a nice car she really likes if we can get past this one bad point. Thanks.

Answer 1

Here's how to remove it.
Instructions
STEP 1: Shampoo the car's interior, including carpets, upholstery and floor mats with an odor eliminating shampoo, available at hardware or home improvement stores. STEP 2: Clean all washable interior surfaces with the same shampoo. Put a small amount directly on a damp sponge, work in and wipe down, include the car's headliner (or "ceiling") to remove the smoke odor from it. STEP 3: Clean all the windows inside with a glass cleaner. Repeat if necessary. STEP 4: Sprinkle baking soda on dry carpet, working it in with your hands. Wait a week and then vacuum. STEP 5: Clean leather upholstery with a commercial leather cleaner/deodorizer, available at your dealership or at home improvement stores. STEP 6: Vacuum ashtrays to remove residual ash. Place a small amount of baking soda or kitty litter into the ashtrays to absorb odors. Overall Tips
To freshen the car, keep dryer sheets under the seats, or place a little activated charcoal in a no-spill container (such as a jar with small air holes in the top) and place in car.
Cigarette smoke can be extremely difficult to remove. If you are unsuccessful, consider taking the car to a professional detailer.
Air fresheners may disguise the smell of smoke but they won't remove it.

Answer 2

Profesor Grey gave a great answer, and here's one step more. Before you do that cleaning, I would rent an Ion Generator (sometimes called a smoke eater) such as motel rooms use to neutralize smoke and place the generator with the piano under plastic for a weekend with any lids and panels open. This should really help and still be affordable. You may be able to rent or borrow a generator from a local hotel/motel, or a used car dealer if you can't find a rental agency with one. The smoke smell is from those smoke molecules floating around and the generator will cause them to attach to the surfaces which can then be cleaned. Also, set a saucer or two of white vinegar inside the car for a day or two. It will help absorbe the odor.

Answer 3

That`s a difficult question as when smoke goes into material of your car thats usuallyneeds new upholstery to rid the smell.
You could keep a spray bottle of freebreeze in the car and spray it real good before leaving the car. You could put charcoal in the car and that would absorb alot of the smell. You may have to take the car into a detail shop and ask them what they can do for the smell. Good Luck to your daughter and yourself in finding solutions!

Answer 4

Home depot has a smoke odor eliminator spray that really works. You will not be able to use the car immediately for the smell is rather pungent! but it works.

Spray, leave windows slightly cracked, let stand overnight and the smell will be gone!

Answer 5

I have a car that the previous owner smoked cigars in. I have a FreshAir air purifier that I put in it every so often and it kills the smoke odor. I believe they also make small ones that are portable and are made for use in the car. Contact Environmetal Planning Solutions at www.webbwiz.com. That is where I bought mine, they can tell you more.

Answer 6

try cutting a piece of citru fruit in half and leave in a bowl in the car overnight. The citrus absords odors. setting out a cup of white vinegar works well too in the house, never tried that in the car. Good luck

Answer 7

A good detail shop can deal with this problem best. They have the latest in equipment, chemicals and methods. Be prepared to pay hansomely for it.

To find such a shop, talk to used car dealers.