Car Stinks with Cigarettes? We Know what to Do!

The problem how to get smoke smell out of car is not a trivial one. Many people smoke everywhere and cars are not exception.

Does your vehicle smell like the Marlboro Man drove it cross-country in place of riding his horse? Eliminate the smoky cigarette smell with your do-it-yourself car cleaning tips, or hire a specialist to detail your ride.

Remove source of smoke smell from car
If cigarette ashes and butts litter your vehicle, all of the air freshener on the planet won't create a difference. Start by cleaning up ashtrays, cup holders and floors for a fresh-smelling interior, says Allante Grays, owner of M&M Mobile Car Wash and Detail in Union City, California.

Also consider replacing your cabin air filter, which cleans exterior air, but additionally traps smoky smells. Most newer cars ask them to, but the place varies by model. In some vehicles, the filters are observed underneath the hood, whilst in others they're underneath the dashboard or behind the glove compartment.

Vacuuming and shampooing help eliminate cigarette smell
Smoky smelling cars desire a thorough detailing, whether you tackle in your driveway or hire a pro.

“This means wiping down all surfaces as the smoke has settled on everything inside the vehicle,” says Rick Nercesian, owner of Rick's Professional Auto Detailing in Havertown, Pennsylvania. “All carpets must be brushed and vacuumed to remove odor particles that have accumulated in the material. We execute a complete shampoo of seats, carpets, door panels and A/C vents.”

Use air fresheners to eradicate smoke smell
After cleaning up the car, raid your pantry for odor eliminators. Dryer sheets placed under seats can help freshen the air. Also consider putting an open box of baking soda or a dish of kitty litter in the car to absorb cigarette smell.

At Hertz Corp., when a car in its non-smoking fleet comes home reeking, the company uses odor eliminator Fresh Wave, says spokeswoman Paula Rivera. “Not merely are we spraying the interior, but additionally the vents to be sure it gets out from the vent.”

Cost of an interior detail
If you can't obtain the odors out or don't want to use your personal elbow grease, hire a specialist to detail your car. Experts say this could cost $125 to $200 for an interior cleaning, according to your location and how big is your vehicle.

Ozone machines can remove extreme cigarette smells
Even although EPA doesn't recommend consumer use, Grays and Nercesian swear by ozone machines to eradicate odors, including smoke. Since it's a toxic gas that can damage lungs, detailers must carefully operate the machines in a specific car, and nobody should really be inside if they run.

As a mobile detailer, Grays rents his unit to customers for $75 for up to 6 hours, and charges $250 for a week. Nercesian charges $25 each hour and does the job in his shop.

It's imperative to check out directions for the safety of anyone across the ozone generator. Following the usage of an ozone machine, allow the vehicle to air out per the manufacturer's directions.