How do I get rid of the cigarette smell from a car?

Question

I purchased a convertable that used to belong to a smoker. I didn't realize it at the time, because the test drive was accomplished with the top down! When the top goes up, the cigarette smell is really apparent.

Thanks for the answers so far. Actuall, though, the dealership has detailed the car twice. I had them do it again because of the cigarette odor. Yes, the fabric top should be addressed. Need to find a good odor eater for the car. Are you guys misspelling "frebreze""

Answer 1

everything everyone has said will work, for today. for they just mask the smell, and not remove it.

there is a simple way to remove any smell, even a dead body smell, from a car. called an ionization treatment.

if you have an ionizer from sharper image, shut the car up and put this in there for 24 hours. this will clean the atoms in the plastic, seats, carpet, etc in turn actually removing the smell for good.

other method is the same but done at a detail shop that has an ionization treatment machine (will look like a big brown wood box). this is professional level and normally gets the job done in 8 hrs.

either way the car will smell like an indoor swimming pool for about a day. being convertible this shouldn't be an issue.

Answer 2

Vacuum the carpets with a really strong vacuum then use a spray can type carpet cleaner. These can be purchased at the auto or grocery store. Scrup the carpet cleaner in and vacuum again after allowing it to dry. Clean the entire car thoroughly, including the door panels, seats, ashtray and convertible top. After that is all accomplished place a small bowl of Vanilla extract on the floorboard and change it every two or three days for a week or two. Or if you can get a bag (or two) of green walnuts set them in the rear floor board and leave them for a week or two with the top up. The green walnut husks will absorb any odor I have ever smelled in a vehicle, including a dead body.

Answer 3

Febreeze does work well, but if you want a more reliable solution, there are car wash places where they will clean your carpets and upholstery. Look in the phone book and call around--some car washes are only do it yourself, some are drive through, and some are full service. A good full service car wash will have a menu of services including fabric care. Have them clean your car thoroughly, seats and all--and also ask about your convertible top (is it fabric on the inside?).

Also--is the ashtray still in the car, or is it a newer car unequipped with an ashtray? If it still has the ashtray, that can be a huge source of the problem. lift it out and clean it--and i mean CLEAN it, like by soaking it (not just wiping it out), until you can't smell cigarettes anymore. You'd be amazed at how much that would help. Good luck!

Answer 4

yes freebreeze and leave the top down and windows up. If that dont work u might want to go to a car wash or even a car dealership and talk to the detail guys and ask them if they have a ozone machine. That machine will get any smell out no matter what it is

Answer 5

try freebreeze it works good