How to Remove the Smell of Smoke From a Vehicle

Smoking in the car, even with the windows down and an arsenal of little green air freshener trees, can lead to a stale smell that lingers in your car long after the cigarette is gone. Smoke clings to any surface it comes into contact with and can be not only unpleasant, but unhealthy as well. Removing the smell of smoke from your vehicle is easily accomplished with a few materials and a little know-how.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• White vinegar
• Clean cloth
• Dish soap
• Ammonia
• Onion
• Baking soda
• Coffee grounds

1. Vacuum out the vehicle well; vacuuming by itself can help reduce the odor. Cloth seats can be easily cleaned by combining 1 cup warm water, 1 cup white vinegar and 1 tbsp. dish soap in a spray bottle. Lightly mist the seats and carpet, and work it in with a clean cloth. Be sure to "rinse" the area with a clean, damp cloth. If you have leather or suede seats, refer to the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning. Open up the windows to help things dry quicker, and don't roll them back up until everything is completely dry.

2. Smoke residue clings to glass, and by getting rid of it you can cut back on the lingering odor. To accomplish this, mix one part ammonia to three parts water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the inside of the vehicle's windows and wipe it away with crumpled newspapers for a streak-free shine.

3. Cut up an onion and put the pieces into a bowl of water. Set the bowl in the vehicle and leave it there overnight, making sure that the windows are rolled up. In the morning, discard the contents of the bowl and the odor should be greatly reduced if not completely eliminated. A bowl of white vinegar is a good substitute if you don't have an onion.

4. Sprinkle baking soda liberally all over the interior of the vehicle and allow it to sit overnight. Baking soda will help to absorb any odors that are lingering in the fibers of your vehicle's carpet or fabric seats. Vacuum the baking soda away in the morning.

5. Fill socks with fresh coffee grounds and tie them up so that the coffee can't spill out, as coffee grounds have a tendency to stain things. Fill two or three socks and place them around the vehicle to help absorb odors. Leave them there overnight and discard the coffee in the morning.

References

• How to Remove Cigarette Smell

Resources

• How to Get Rid of Cigarette Smell