Removing Smoke Smell From Car??

[RavenWolf]

I just got a new (to me) minivan for a great deal! The only problem... It absolutely reeks of cigarette smoke I had to drive it home with all the windows down. (no offense to any smokers) I just can't handle that smell as it triggers my migraines.
So any tips would be greatly appreciated    especially any tips not involving specialty smoke cleaning products that cost a fortune.

[babystarz]

I don't know anything specific to smoke, but if you open the vent on a couple of boxes of baking soda, it'll help get rid of any odors just like it does refrigerators You'll still need to clean the fabric of the car if the smell is that strong though.

[kittybethy]

I don't know anything specific to smoke, but if you open the vent on a couple of boxes of baking soda, it'll help get rid of any odors just like it does refrigerators You'll still need to clean the fabric of the car if the smell is that strong though.

I agree! Baking soda works wonders!!  Try sprinkling some in the car, let it sit overnight, and them vaccuum it up!

[lovesbabysquirmy]

Scrub everything down with Simple Green cleaner...  have your air filter changed... 

It's tricky to rid a vehicle of the smell, but I would travel with baking soda boxes tucked under the seats for awhile. 

[hathorcat]

Baking soda and do you have Febreze in the US?

My car when I got it had residual nicotine smells but I did manage to get rid of them over a few months - however I did have to Febreze the whole car 2 or 3 times a week until all the smell was eaten away

[kaoskat]

Yuck! I think I'd try everything suggested! I hope you can get it out.

[skyrocketneko]

Ugh, been there! Make sure you clean out the ashtray! I had one in my car that was CAKED with tar. I gagged the entire time I was cleaning it. I put coffee in it after, and the car smelled so much better.


My fiance's truck was also owned by a smoker. We got a great deal on it too, so we figured we'd suck it up.  I did everything from washing floor to ceiling to placing a container of Zeofresh in it. Zeofresh is great if you have access to it. Febreeze did not work for me. One very hot day, I put a PILE of coffee grounds in a large container on the floor. That really helped, but not all the way. I also sprayed vinegar in the car and let it bake too, which helped a little, too. Make sure you replace the air filter. Also, use Qtips to clean every spot in the vents. If you can get into them farther, do it too.

Sometimes on hot days you can still smell the smoke, but just do those things over and over, and eventually it won't be so bad.

[melodys_angel]

remember that smoke gets everywhere, so clean every single surface you can see--including all the windows and mirrors!

You would be surprised what you see

[HavACrumpet452]

You can put some charcoal briquettes around your car too to absorb smells.