How to Get Cigarette Smoke Out of Car Upholstery

Cigarette smoke is difficult to get out of upholstery.

Cigarette smoke is a chemical combination that permeates and stays in fabrics that it comes into contact with. It is one of the hardest smells to get out of fabrics because of the strength of the smell and the amount of it that stays in the fabric. With clothing and other removable fabrics, the smell of smoke comes out in the washing machine. However, since car upholstery is affixed, you don't have the option of letting the washing machine do the work. Hand cleaning is the only way to get cigarette smoke out of car upholstery.

Instructions

1. Shampoo the upholstery. Use a carpet shampooer to remove below-the-surface smells. Carpet shampooers release water into the fabric of the upholstery then suck it back out. This helps pull out cigarette smoke smells from beneath the fabric.

2. Let the upholstery dry for at least 24 hours after the shampooing before putting anything else on it. If you try to treat it with something else, it may reduce the effectiveness of the shampooing.

3. Apply baking soda to the surfaces. Baking soda soaks up odors. After you apply the baking soda, rub it into the surface of the upholstery. Leave the baking soda on the upholstery for a week, then vacuum it off.

4. Open your windows. Air out the car by leaving the windows and doors open on nice days. Just getting fresh air in the car will help remove some of the scent of cigarette smoke in the upholstery.

5. Several natural products absorb any smells left after cleaning the upholstery. One option is to leave an unopened bag of charcoal in the car overnight to absorb the odor. Another option is to slice an apple, put it in a bowl and leave it on the floor of the car until it shrivels up. You could also use a rag with a few drops of vanilla extract under the seat for a few days to help absorb an odor and replace it with a fresh scent. Put some dry coffee grounds on the floor for a few days then vacuum them up to help soak up the cigarette odor. These methods all take several applications to work, so be prepared to apply more than once.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean the carpets and other surfaces of the car at the same time as the upholstery. Once you shut the car doors, the smell of cigarette smoke from other surfaces will soak back into upholstery.

• Make sure to replace air filters as well as cleaning the upholstery and carpet. Leaving a dirty air filter in will circulate the smell of smoke, putting it right back into the upholstery fabric.

References

• How to Clean Anything: Auto Interiors
• HealthGuidance: How to Get Rid of Cigarette Smell