No matter the source of the smoke smell (cigarettes, cigars, campfire, herbs, etc.) in a car’s interior, removing the offending odor involves a similar process. Deep cleaning of the interior surfaces and changing the cabin air filter are the first steps to removing the lingering smell of smoke from a car’s interior. It’s imperative that every surface, from the carpet to the headliner, be deep-cleaned to rejuvenate the interior and remove the odor-causing smoke residue.
Removing the smoke smell can be more complicated if the heating or air conditioning is in recirculation mode while the smoke is in the car. Recirculation mode sucks the smoke deep into the HVAC ducting out of reach of other cleaner methods. Air vent cleaning products can penetrate deep into the ducts and eliminate many foul-smelling odors. Cleaning the air vents is a bit intrusive and best reserved as a last effort to freshen a car’s interior.
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Smoke Smell Removal Steps
Removing the smoke smell from a car’s interior isn’t a quick fix and can require much of a day. Every square inch of the interior requires cleaning, and after the detail is complete fresh air should be blown through the car for a few hours to dry and revitalize the cabin. Depending on how bad the smoke smell is, it might be necessary to have the interior professionally detailed using a steam cleaner, hot water extractor, and ozone generator.
Expert Tip: Headliners are delicate and can be permanently damaged if they become too wet or are scrubbed too vigorously during cleaning. A steam cleaner is one of the safest and most effective ways to clean delicate interior surfaces.
- Vacuum the interior to remove loose dirt and debris.
- Clean nonporous surfaces using an all-purpose cleaner.
- Remove all-purpose cleaner residue with a damp microfiber towel or a steam cleaner.
- Apply protective dressing to plastic, vinyl, and leather surfaces.
- Clean the interior glass to remove any smoke and protective dressing residue.
- Gently clean the headliner using a rinse-free fabric cleaner and a steam cleaner if possible.
- Clean the seats using the appropriate fabric or leather cleaner.
- Use a hot water extractor to clean the carpet, fabric floor mats, and fabric upholstery.
- Open the doors and use a high-power fan or air mover to air out the car as long as possible.
- Replace the cabin air filter — activated-charcoal cabin filters provide additional freshness.
Optional Smoke Removal Steps
- Spray an odor removal product in the interior and leave the car closed for a few hours.
- Open the doors and use a high-power fan or air mover to air out the car as long as possible.
If the smoke smell is still present, HVAC vent cleaning products or an ozone generator may be necessary. Both of these cleaning methods are a bit more invasive and have an increased possibility of causing damage to the car and your health.
