Car Care Tricks to Removing Cigarette Smoke
Every time you hop inside your car, the stench of cigarette smoke slaps you right in the face. It doesn’t really matter if you’re the one who smokes or if the car’s previous owner used the vehicle as an ashtray; what matters is that it is time to remove the smell once and for all. But is it enough to keep the windows down while you drive and during chilly nights? Or is there more that you need to do? Here are the best car care tips you can follow:
Vacuum the Car
It doesn’t seem like this does much, but in truth, vacuuming removes a lot of odor. After all, carpets and car seats absorb the majority of cigarette smoke, leaving behind a residue. Therefore, it’s important to vacuum these internal surfaces, getting rid of small particles that may also hold some of the smell in.
Scrub Everything with Baking Soda
Baking soda has many benefits when it comes to cleaning, deodorizing, and so much more. Which is why, when it comes to car care, baking soda should certainly be relied on to remove cigarette smoke. Start out by sprinkling it over the carpets, seats, and even rubbing it in the roof’s fabric. Scrub all the areas with a brush or your hands (it is safe), and allow the baking soda to really set for a while. You can even leave the car that way for a few hours or overnight. You might also want to do the same to your car’s trunk, especially if the trunk is not divided from the rest of the car, such as with SUVs. After letting the baking soda set for those hours, vacuum it out. You can also use a cloth to wipe any remains.
Shampoo the Fabric
Just as with vacuuming the carpets and the seats, shampooing them helps remove the odor that has been absorbed. It’s best to use a mild laundry detergent and a soft bristled brush to scrub the surfaces. Make sure you also shampoo the back of car seats. Then let air dry with the windows down so mold doesn’t develop in the car.
If you don’t like the smell of coffee, then this car care method might not be for you. However, if you don’t mind the smell, then take a few roasted coffee beans and place them in little paper cups (like cupcake cups). Then, hide a couple of those cups around the car, leaving just a smidge of the windows open (an eighth of an inch) to let the excessive smell out. After going through heat from the sun, the roasted coffee beans will give out a delicious aroma. Then, in a day, you can remove the paper cups and enjoy the new smell.
Hide Dryer Sheets under Car Seats
This trick is always effective when it comes to removing bad odors. Simply place a dryer sheet underneath each car seat. The sheets usually last around a month, and while they’re there, they’ll leave a wonderful, fresh scent in your car. Whether you’re driving or the vehicle is parked, the dryer sheets are always at work, fighting off the smell of cigarettes.
Clean the Fabric with a Pet Odor Eliminator
Sometimes, certain products that you barely think about are great products for eliminating odor. For instance, pet odor eliminator products, such as specific pet shampoos or sprays, can be used on your car. They get the job done, and that’s what matters. So try a pet odor eliminator if nothing else works.
Put a Car Freshener or a Vent Clip
Lastly, it’s always nice to hang an air freshener or a vent clip to constantly keep the car smelling like your favorite fragrance, whether that’s a certain type of flower, fruit, or a mixed aroma.
Getting rid of odors left behind from cigarette smoke can easily be done by following these simple car care tricks, and in no time, your car will smell fresh again.
Interested in getting help from the pros: We suggest an interior detail . As always, our friends can save 10% off our professional car care detailing by downloading here.
