How to Clean the Smoke Smell in Car Fabric Upholstery
The smell of smoke can be difficult to remove from upholstery fabrics, but when that fabric is in an enclosed space and cannot be washed, the smell can linger on for a very long time. This is the case with car upholstery. Regardless of the type of smoke that has invaded your cushions, it can be removed and the method is the same. If none of the below methods work for you, you will need to hire a professional to clean the upholstery.
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Things You'll Need
- Baking soda
- Vacuum cleaner
- Vinegar, cider or distilled white
- Charcoal briquettes
- Bowls or containers (with lids, if desired)
Instructions
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Baking Soda Method
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1
Sprinkle a layer of baking soda over the upholstery of your car.
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2
Allow the baking soda to sit for at least 30 minutes.
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3
Vacuum up all the baking soda from your car's fabric.
Vacuum attachments such as a crevice tool with a chisel tip or an upholstery brush make vacuuming up the baking soda easier. -
4
Make sure to open the windows the next time you or someone else smokes in your car.
Absorption Method
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5
Fill a few bowls with vinegar or with several charcoal briquettes. This method will help eliminate smoke odors from the interior roofing and flooring materials of your car.
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6
Place the bowls in different areas of your car. Good places are the dashboard, between the two front seats, the back seat, and a couple of the floor spaces.
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7
Allow the bowls to sit at least overnight to suck up the smoke odors. The longer the bowls can stay in the sealed car, the more effective this treatment will be. If you can leave the bowls in the sealed car for several days, that would be ideal.
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8
Remove the bowls of vinegar before driving the vehicle. If you are using charcoal in bowls with lids, punch several holes in the lids and leave the bowls under the seats. The charcoal will continue to remove odors and won't leave a mess even if the bowls are moved or knocked around.
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9
Repeat these methods as necessary.
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Tips & Warnings
If the odor of smoke is not too strong, spray the upholstery and carpet with an odor removal product such as Febreze.
For continued freshening, place a few scented dryer sheets under each of the seats.
Use baking soda to remove odors from the furniture and carpeting in your home as well as the car.
The smoke smell will recur in the car if ashtrays are not kept clean.
