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 clings to the fibers of vehicle upholstery. If you are wondering, “how to get rid of smoke smell out of a car,” the team at Toyota of Downtown LA has all the info you need.

How to Get Rid of Cigarette Smell in a Car

Removing the smoke smell from upholstery and carpet requires different care from leather. To get the 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.

Other Methods for How to Remove Smoke Smell from a Car

While baking soda has been a proven option to help you easily remove the smoke smell and other obnoxious odors from your vehicle’s interior, there are several other ways you can continue to keep your vehicle at its best. These include:

• Airing out your vehicle with the windows down on a clear breezy day
• Wiping down your seats and interior with dryer sheets
• Leaving a small bowl of coffee grounds in the car to soak up the smoke smell
• Boiling a few cinnamon sticks and placing them in a travel mug to cool and clean the air in your vehicle
• Keeping open citrus peels like lemons, oranges, limes, and grapefruit to cleanse the smoke smell in your car

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.

How to Smoke in Your Car Without it Smelling

You have some strategies to remove the smell of smoke, but do you know how to smoke in your car without it smelling to begin with? While there’s no way to completely block the smell of smoke from permeating your vehicle, there are steps you can take to minimize the smoke smell, such as:

• Make sure your air conditioner/heater is pulling in air from the outside. If your vehicle is recirculating air, it will be pulling the smoke into the vents and filters.
• Keep your window cracked and hold your cigarette near the window to draw out the majority of the smoke.
• Using an e-cigarette can also allow you to smoke while avoiding the traditional smoke 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 the smoke smell out of a car or for a Toyota Entune™ update.