How to Get Smoke Smell Out of a Car

When you buy a used car, you can enjoy considerable savings. However, depending on where you purchase the car from, you can find yourself dealing with issues graciously passed to you by the former owner, such as a smoke smell in the interior. Smoke breaks through soft surfaces, and sticks to the carpet, upholstery, and more. So, how do you remove smoke smell from a car? Auffenberg Ford South Belleville can help! Read on for tips! 

Get Smoke Smell Out of a Car: Upholstery

If your car has cloth upholstery, you can take the following steps to remove the smell of the smoke. First, you’ll need a vacuum and baking soda: 

1. Vacuum the Upholstery & Carpet: Thoroughly vacuum the interior of your car. Get under the seats and in the crevices where old ashes could be hiding. 
2. Sprinkle the Baking Soda: Sprinkle the baking soda throughout your car and let it sit. Baking soda is an odor neutralizer and will absorb the smell. 
3. Vacuum the Baking Soda: Vacuum the baking soda up after it’s sat for a while. If the smell is still lingering, you can repeat the above steps, or leave a box of baking soda in your car to further absorb the smell. 

Get Smoke Smell Out of a Car: Leather & Trim

Getting the smoke smell out of leather upholstery and trim requires different steps. Follow the steps below to leave your leather smelling fresh: 

1. Find a Leather Cleaner: You need a specific solution to clean leather — you can’t use dish soap or anything of the like. 
2. Clean the Surface Thoroughly: Again, smoke permeates through soft surfaces. Leather is a soft material with a lot of pores. You may need to clean the surfaces in your car more than once. 

How to Get Cigarette Smell Out of Other Car Areas 

Once you’ve cleaned the upholstery, carpet, and trim inside your car, you’ll need to focus on other important areas. Wipe down your windows, including the front and back windshield, and then replace the air filter in your car. This will help get the smoke smell out of the air vents, which are full of surfaces smoke can linger on. 

Get More Car Care Tips from Auffenberg Ford Belleville

Whether you’ve just purchased a new Ford, or a high-quality pre-owned model from our used car inventory, our service team is your go-to for suggestions on how to keep your car looking, feeling, and operating at its best. Contact us with any questions, or schedule a service appointment in Belleville, IL for service! While you’re here, be sure to browse our service specials for offers you don’t want to miss!