How To Get Smoke Smell Out Of Your Car?

Cigarette smoke can be one of the worst odours to try to remove from a car interior.

Maybe you’re a smoker who needs to sell their used car or maybe you’ve bought or inherited a vehicle from a smoker. For most non-smokers, the smell of cigarettes is unbearable. Nothing kills a sale like a smoked-out, smelly car.

In Canada, one in eleven homes has a regular smoker who smokes inside. That means a lot of used cars with smoke damage.

There are a few tricks that can help get some of that smoke smell out right away. In this blog post, we break down why the cigarette smell is so tough to get out of and what you can do about it.

Why Does Smoke Smell Linger in Cars?

Cigarette smoke is one of the most stubborn and unpleasant smells to get out. Unlike other odours that can be aired out, smoke can really get deep into the fabric and surfaces of your car. 

Smoke is made up of tiny particles that carry through the air. When someone smokes in a car, these particles settle on every surface. 

Over time, those smoke particles penetrate the upholstery, carpets, interior roof, and even the venting system, making the odour really difficult to get rid of.

Smoke also clings to porous materials, like the fabric of your car seats and carpets. All soft surfaces of your interior act like a sponge, absorbing smoke particles and holding onto them. 

Even hard surfaces like plastic, leather, and vinyl can trap smoke particles in their microscopic pores. 

The longer someone smokes in your car, the more embedded the smell will be, which is why vehicles that have been smoked in for years often have the worst and most difficult-to-remove smoke smell. Simply cleaning the surface isn’t going to cut it.

Common DIY Methods to Remove Smoke Smell

There are home DIY methods that can help alleviate some of that smoke smell right away.

1. Vinegar and baking soda are known for their odour-neutralizing properties and for good reason. Vinegar, with its strong acidic properties, can help break down the smoke particles on surfaces, while baking soda acts as a natural deodorizer, absorbing odours rather than just masking them. Spray a mixture of vinegar and water on your car’s upholstery and carpets, let it sit for a while, and then sprinkle baking soda over the surfaces. After leaving the baking soda to absorb the odours, vacuum and wipe it up, leaving your entire interior smelling better than it did 20 minutes ago.
2. Activated charcoal can also help. Activated charcoal can be placed in the car to help remove smoke smells over time. It works by trapping the odour-causing particles within its porous structure, bringing down the intensity of the smell. It can be effective for milder or more recent smoke odours.
3. Ozone generators can also combat car smoke smell. Ozone generators produce ozone gas, which can neutralize odours by breaking down the actual molecules that cause them. While ozone treatment can be effective, it doesn’t come without risks. Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent that can damage your car’s interior and bring potential health risks. Ozone generators need special handling. They also aren’t cheap. Make sure you read up on safety and how to use them before trying this.

While each of these methods can work in the short term, they often disappoint when it comes to heavy, long-term smoke damage.

Why DIY Methods May Not Be Enough

While these home DIY methods can help with some of that smell, they won’t eliminate it from a car that’s been heavily smoked in over a long time. These solutions won’t reach the deep-seated smoke particles in your car’s upholstery, carpets, and air vents.

They can also do more harm than good if you’re not careful. For example, leaving baking soda for too long can discolour your carpets or seats. Ozone generators can also cause damage if not used correctly.

If you’ve tried some of these suggestions or you simply don’t want to deal with it, it might be time to consider professional car detailing services for a more thorough and permanent solution.

A professional detailer has the tools, chemicals, and experience to remove even the most stubborn and deeply embedded smoke damage effectively and safely.

Professional Car Detailing Services

If you want to completely remove that long-term smoke smell from your entire car, professional car detailing is your best option.

 At Bemac, we understand the complexities of tobacco smoke odour removal and use advanced techniques and equipment to ensure that your vehicle is thoroughly cleaned and deodorized.

One of the most effective methods we use is steam cleaning. Our techs use high-temperature steam to penetrate deep into the upholstery and carpets of your car, loosening and removing the smoke particles entrenched there. This removes most of the smoke odours.

Next, we use professional-grade, high-end cleaning chemicals designed to neutralize smoke odours. These agents break down smoke particles at a molecular level, making sure those odours are completely eliminated.

For vehicles with really severe smoke damage, we may also recommend ozone treatment. Unlike consumer-grade ozone generators, our professional equipment is designed to safely and effectively neutralize even the most stubborn smoke odours. Our trained technicians know how to use ozone to get the best results possible with zero risk to your car’s interior.

In addition to removing that smoke smell, your car will be thoroughly and professionally cleaned from top to bottom, leaving it looking and smelling as close to showroom new as it can get. We can also apply interior protection treatments which protect your car’s surfaces and make them easier to clean in the future. Regular detailing can also extend the life of your vehicle’s interior, and keep its resale value high.

While it’s important to wash your car regularly, professional car detailing is the most convenient and effective way to remove odours and keep even used car interiors looking showroom fresh.

A professional car detailing can give your car an entirely different level of thorough cleaning that simply can’t be matched at home.

Call On Bemac – Ottawa’s Car Detailing Experts

If you’re struggling with a persistent smoke smell in your vehicle, don’t waste time fumbling with temporary fixes.

Call the experts to defeat pesky vehicle smells!

At BEMAC, we ensure Ottawa drivers that we’ll get their car smelling fresh and rid of cigarette smoke. Our professional car detailing services can remove even the most stubborn smoke damage.

Request a quote and take the first step toward getting your car’s interior back to good as new.