How to Remove the Smell of Smoke from Your Car’s Upholstery

Buying a used car means you are getting a great vehicle at an unbeatable price. However, this can mean buying a car with some minor issues left behind by the previous owner. One common problem is the smell of smoke. Smoke permeates soft surfaces and stays within the fibers of the upholstery. If you are wondering, “how to get rid of smoke smell in a car,” the team at Toyota of Downtown LA has the info you need.

How to Get Cigarette Smell out of Car’s Carpet and Upholstery

Removing the smoke smell from upholstery and carpet requires different care from leather. To get smoke smell out of a car, you will need baking soda and a vacuum. Then, follow these steps:

1. Vacuum the carpet and upholstery as thoroughly as possible. Make sure you get under the seats and in-between the crevices as well since old ash could be sitting in those areas.
2. Next, sprinkle baking soda all over the upholstery and the carpet, and let it sit for a while. The baking soda is an odor neutralizer and captures unpleasant scents.
3. After the baking soda has sat for some time, take the vacuum and clean it up. If you notice that the scent is still lingering, sprinkle small amounts of baking soda to help remove the scent further. If you choose, you can also leave an open box of baking soda in your vehicle overnight to help absorb the smell.

How to Remove the Smoke Smell From Leather and Trim

The smell of smoke can also penetrate into the leather, which can leave a residue on the other surfaces.

1. In order to remove the smell from leather and trim, you will need a cleaner specifically formulated for those specific surfaces. For example, use a cleaner that’s made for leather or for your car’s dashboard.
2. Clean the surfaces multiple times, as the smoke smell can get deep within the surface of leather and trim. Multiple cleanings can ensure you’ve fully removed the scent and the residue left behind.

What About Other Areas in Your Car?

After you have cleaned your upholstery, carpet, and trim, it’s time to clean other surfaces in your vehicle. Wipe down your windows, the front, and back windshield, and replace the air filter in your car, since the smell of smoke can also get into the air vents; the smoke residue can linger on these surfaces, creating a foul smell.

Find Your Perfect Vehicle at Toyota of Downtown LA

If you are ready to look for your next new or used vehicle in the Mission Hills-area, make the drive to Toyota of Downtown LA for all of your automotive needs. Contact us today if you want to set up a test drive or schedule a service appointment to help get smoke smell out of a car or for a Toyota Entune™ update.