Are you also one of them who just hate cigarette smell, like I do. If yes, then we are going to discuss some of the tested hacks for how to get rid of cigarette smell in car. The smell of smoke odour stays inside for too long and especially in a car. It can be the toughest to get rid of. Usually, we all head to a professional to know how to remove cigarette smell from car but after reading this blog you’ll know how to do it.
But first, let’s talk about some dangerous effects of smoke odor. The time we smoke, residual nicotine in the air mixed with ozone and transforms into fine particles that are further inhaled by lungs. It can even lead to asthma.
Do you know that there are 7000 different chemical compounds present in cigarette smoke itself with 250 poisonous gases and 70 carcinogens with some heavy toxic metals. So, it is important to avoid cigarette odor. Apart from Nicotine, cigarette has lots of chemicals like Acetone that is used in solvents and is known for irritating the eyes and throat.
Also, it contains lead that damages the brain nerves, kidneys and even cause anemia and also tar that is the reason for cancer. When a smoker inhales cigarette smoke, 70% tar remains in the lungs.
Keep reading to know more about how to get rid of cigarette smell in car.
There’s a term called secondhand smoke that means smoke burning after cigarette and exhaled by a smoker; that is unhealthy. Thirdhand smoke is the residual or chemicals that remains on clothing and other areas. Non-smoking adults who live with regular smokers are at a higher risk of diseases. The residue may remain for weeks, months or may be years if not thoroughly cleaned. After house, car is the second place where most of us smoke.
To start the car cleaning process, clean the mats and remove small particles that may have soaked in. Clean out the car’s ashtray by spraying air freshener and with absorbent kitchen paper afterwards. You can go for a good car cleaner spray and a soft cloth to scrub. An antibacterial one works even better. These small steps make drastic changes in the procedure for how to get rid of cigarette smell in car.
How To Remove Cigarette Smell From Car
To know how to get rid of cigarette smell in car, you must know that we’ll be needed some household ingredients only. Let’s move to some tested ways.
How To Eliminate Cigarette Smoke Odor In Car?
Steaming process:
Shut down the windows of your car to some ventilated area to take the smell out. Now, remove all the cigarette or other trash. Clean out the entire interior area; from seat covers to floor mats. Do a proper vacuum cleaning and let the floor mats get some direct sunlight (Read the labels of the things).
Use a steam cleaner to wipe out all the exposed interiors. Using half of the water and other half of white vinegar to clean the steering is a good and natural option. This is the area where smokers usually smoke out. How to get rid of cigarette smell in car is not as difficult as it seems. Start the engine and turn on the fan on maximum cool settings for air circulation. Spray the odor neutralizer into the air intake system to eliminate the cigarette smell in car.
You can also pour some white vinegar or apple cider vinegar into a cup and leave overnight in the car. Boil some vinegar and allow it to diffuse. It draws out all the bad odor.
Baking Soda:
Baking soda can pick up the smell, so try sprinkling it on the carpet and upholstery, it may help. If it does not work, you can try pouring some coffee to remove the odor. It also draws out all the excess moisture from the air. Leave it overnight; depending on the smell. Keep repeating until the smoke is gone.
Coffee grounds:
Do not throw your coffee grounds after brewing coffee, all them to dry and place them in the container. Keep them in the problem areas and leave them overnight. It’s strong fragrance can overpower any smell.
Or, use some citrus fruit peels like Oranges and lemons. Collect their peels and put them in the car for as long as possible.
Organic Charcoal:
Charcoal is great for odor absorbing. You just need to place a large bowl of charcoal on the car seat and allow the car to remain closed for a minimum of 48 hours. The vehicle would have no smell after doing this.
Newspapers:
Newspapers can absorb smell? Yes, they do help in getting rid of cigarette smoke in a car. All you need is roll up a few newspapers and keep them under the seat. Change the newspapers to absorb odors after few days to keep the car fresh and clean.
Fond of sweet scent? Try using cinnamon sticks. Boil them in water and pour in an open mug, shut the windows up and keep the water in the car for a day. Also, try it with car’s heater on for 20-30 minutes. Burn incense and candles in the car to mask out the smell of cigarettes.
To remove the cigarette smell from duct work, clean the area physically. Try to replace the cabin air filter and clean the compartment. Locate the fresh air intake for HVAC system, turn on the fan and air conditioner.
There’s a difference between absorbing the cigarette smell and covering them up. Baking soda absorbs the smell whereas air freshener covers it up. There is a product available named Febreze that is designed to remove the odor rather than masking. It traps the odor molecules quite effectively.
Ozone generators:
If none of the above method worked, try using ozone generators that are harder than them. They are different than air filters and purifiers. It is worked by using coronal discharge or ultraviolet radiation that breaks down the normal O2 molecules into single oxygen atoms.
To remove smoke odor from car interior clean and place the ozone generator or connect a hose to generator and route it to the vehicle. Run ozone generator to fill out the interior volume of the car. Wipe down the surfaces and vacuumed to remove any residual smell.
Conclusion:
Hope you are clear with how to get rid of cigarette smell in car. But, before switching to any cleaning agent inside your car, read out the instructions manual. If you have any other method on how to get rid of cigarette smell in car, let’s know in the comment section.
