Cigarette smoke can linger on almost anything it touches: our clothes, walls and furniture in our homes, and auto interiors. Smoking in your car is not only a bad idea for your health and the health of your passengers, it’s also a bad idea if you ever plan on selling your vehicle.
When cigarettes burn, the chemicals trap the odor particles in the smoke, which causes it to seep into the surface of surrounding items, which is why it is so hard to get rid of. The denser the material, the harder it is to remove, making the fabric seats of car interiors one of the number one places smoke odor particles are most stubborn.
But it doesn’t end there. Not only does smoke get into your car’s seating, it also permeates the inner workings of your vehicle, like the duct system for your heating and AC, making it extremely hard to remove.
Since smoke smell is a huge turnoff for potential buyers, if you currently have a car with lingering cigarette odor and plan on selling it, it’s time to tackle that nasty smoke smell.
How to Get Smoke Smell Out of Cars
Removing smoke smells from your car is no easy task. Just like sanitizing carpets, the only way to truly remove smoke odors from cars is to engage in a professional cleaning. There are, however, ways vehicle owners can mitigate smoke odors in the interim.
Read on to learn the importance of air fresheners, cabin air filter replacement and DIY cleaning:
Use Air Fresheners
The use of air fresheners might temporarily hide a smoke smell in a vehicle by masking it with a more pleasant scent, but it won’t remove the odor particles. The scent from air fresheners used immediately after a smoke damage incident or while drivers smoke in cars will blend with smoke odors and make the vehicle smell worse. Air fresheners are a good idea to use after removing the smoke smell, but it shouldn’t be the only solution you attempt.
Replace the Cabin Air Filter
If you’re trying to remove or mitigate a smoke odor from your car, replace the cabin air filter. This filter cleans all the air that enters and circulates inside of your vehicle – and it’s often neglected.
You can find the cabin air filter either behind your glove box, under the hood or under the dashboard in your car. Check your car’s owner manual for more details. Installing a new cabin air filter is usually an inexpensive fix whether you do it yourself or take it to a mechanic – so add this to your to-do list when you’re removing smoke smell from your car.
How to Get Rid of Smoke Smell in Cars:
The only way to completely remove smoke odors for cars is to engage in professional detailing. A professional car interior cleaning, much like odor removal or upholstery cleaning for your home, will be able to get a much deeper clean than you’d be able to do yourself with home equipment and cleaning solutions.
Smoke Odor Prevention Is Key
Want to prevent smoke odors from lingering in your vehicle? Don’t smoke in your car! And don’t allow anyone else to, either.
Choose Rainbow Restoration For all Your Cleaning & Deodorizing Needs
Need help cleaning or deodorizing the spaces and surfaces you rely on? Rainbow Restoration® is here to help! Contact your local Rainbow Restoration to learn more about removing foul odors from your car or home, Schedule an appointment online or contact the Rainbow Restoration location nearest you to learn more.
