How to Get Smoke and Cigarette Smell Out of Your Car

Stepping into your car only to be greeted by a lingering smoke smell can be both unpleasant and frustrating. Whether it’s from cigarettes, weed, or an accidental burn, removing this stubborn odor is crucial for your comfort and your car’s value. The question remains the same – how do you get that smoke smell out of your car?

Maintaining a fresh-smelling car is more than just about comfort. It’s about preserving the vehicle’s resale value, ensuring a pleasant environment for passengers, and even avoiding potential health issues linked to prolonged exposure to smoke residue. The task may seem daunting, given the stubborn nature of smoke odors. However, with a little patience, the right tools, and some dedicated effort, it’s absolutely possible to restore your car’s interior to its smoke-free state.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the process of removing smoke smells from your car, tackle specific scenarios like cigarette and weed odors, and offer tips for preventing such odors in the future. Let’s get your car smelling fresh and clean once again.

What Causes Smoke Smell in Cars and Why is it Hard to Remove?

The smoke smell in cars can originate from various sources. Most commonly, it comes from tobacco or marijuana use inside the vehicle. But it can also result from accidental burns, like a dropped cigarette or a spark from a lighter. Regardless of the source, the smoke smell poses a unique challenge to eliminate.

Smoke particles are minuscule — about one micron in size — and can easily penetrate most surfaces. They can seep into the upholstery, carpet, and even the air conditioning system, making the smell persistent and difficult to remove completely. This is why a simple air freshener often doesn’t cut it, as it only masks the smell temporarily, and the underlying odor eventually re-emerges.

Moreover, smoke from substances like tobacco and marijuana contains a multitude of chemicals that can latch onto surfaces and continue to emit a smell for a long time. The lingering smell is not just a nuisance; it can also lead to health issues for sensitive individuals or exacerbate respiratory conditions.

The Risks of Ignoring Smoke Smell in Your Car

Ignoring the smoke smell in your car isn’t just about tolerating a bad smell – it can have serious consequences. First, the smell of smoke can significantly decrease the value of your car. Potential buyers may be turned off by the lingering odor, and it can indicate that the car wasn’t well cared for. If you’re planning to sell your car in the future, it’s worth making an effort to remove the smoke smell to ensure you get the best possible price.

The smoke smell in your car can also pose health risks. Exposure to secondhand smoke is associated with numerous health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. While the risk from the residual smoke smell isn’t as high as active secondhand smoke exposure, some studies suggest that residual smoke pollutants (also known as thirdhand smoke) can pose health risks, particularly for children and those with respiratory conditions. The smell is also a constant reminder of smoke exposure, which can be unpleasant and annoying, especially on long journeys.

In short, ignoring a smoke smell in your car is not worth ignoring. It’s better for your health, your wallet, and your peace of mind to address the issue head-on.

Items You Will Need to Remove Smoke Smell from Your Car

Before you begin, gather all these supplies:

• Trash bags
• Dryer sheets
• Electric fans
• Plenty of rags
• Odor neutralizing cleaner
• Coffee grounds, charcoal, or cat litter
• Cinnamon sticks
• Citrus peels (oranges and lemons work best)
• Baking soda
• Vacuum cleaner
• White vinegar
• Steam cleaner
• Optional: Car refreshers or an odor bomb

How to Remove Smoke Smell from Your Car

Note: The following guide is intended to provide general tips and advice for removing smoke smell from your car. However, please note that every car and its materials are unique and may react differently to certain cleaning products or methods. Before applying any cleaning solution or method to your car, we strongly recommend conducting a spot test in an inconspicuous area to ensure it won’t damage your car’s interior. Always follow your vehicle’s manual or consult with a professional if you are unsure.

If you have a car that smells like smoke — whether it’s from cigarettes, cigars, or marijuana — take these steps first as you work to remove that pesky smell.

1. Remove All Butts and Ashes

You’ll never get the smell out if the source of the smell remains in the car! The first step is to search everywhere in the vehicle for cigarette butts, ashes, and anything else that may be causing the smoke smell. Make sure all of it is carefully and completely removed.

2. Clean Out All Trash and Debris

Smoke smell clings to everything, so the next step is to take out anything you aren’t going to keep in your car, like trash, clothing, bags, and anything else you don’t need. If you have seat covers, remove them so you can wash them according to the care instructions on the tag.

Also, remove things like floor mats — they’ll be easier to clean outside of the car, and removing them can help the smell dissipate somewhat in the meantime.

3. Air It Out

Step 3 is to get some good air circulation in the vehicle. If you can, wait for a warm, breezy day. Roll down all the windows or open all the doors and just let the car air out for as long as possible. If you have some electric fans you can set up to circulate the air even more, it can help.

4. Wipe Down the Interior with Dryer Sheets

Dryer sheets are great at soaking up scents. After your car airs out, use dryer sheets to wipe down every part of the interior, from the floor to the ceiling. Don’t forget places like seatbelts and visors, which are often covered in fabric and can hang on to smoke smell.

5. Clean All the Hard-to-Reach Places

Dirt, grime, and ashes that are causing your car to smell can hide in even the smallest spaces. It’s important to clean every possible space in your car — first with a portable vacuum cleaner, then with a rag and a cleaning solution.

We recommend the THISWORX Car Vacuum Cleaner, which was featured on our 10 Must-Have Gifts for Car Lovers.

Don’t forget to clean under the floor mats, inside the glove box, around the gear shift, and in the steering column — move the steering wheel around to get to every spot.

How to Remove Smoke Smell from Upholstery

Upholstery is one of the toughest places to get rid of smoke smell. Over time, the smell permeates the fabric and other soft materials and becomes harder and harder to get out. Here are some steps to take to reduce the smell of smoke coming from your vehicle’s upholstery:

• First, carefully vacuum every piece of upholstery in the vehicle.
• Then, sprinkle a layer of baking soda over all the upholstery and leave it for a while — ideally, overnight.
• Once the baking soda has had time to absorb some of the odor, vacuum it off the upholstery. Vacuum over each surface a few times to ensure you’ve cleaned up all the baking soda.
• Steam clean the upholstery to help eliminate any lingering odors, especially those beneath the surface of the fabric.
• Spray all the upholstery with an odor-neutralizing spray that’s safe for your fabric and upholstery type. Let it dry completely.
• Repeat these steps as needed.

How to Remove Smoke Smell from Leather and Trim

Removing the smoke smell may be more difficult if your car has leather interiors. There’s a wide variety of different types of leather used in cars, so you have to be careful only to use products that are safe and recommended for the leather you have. Consult your owner’s manual, or speak to a professional if you aren’t sure how to clean your car’s leather properly and without damaging it.

For hard surfaces, like the dashboard, cupholders, around the gear shift, and even the seat belt buckles — use a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water and a clean rag. The vinegar will help remove the smell. Then, if any smell remains, wipe everything down with a clean rag sprayed with odor-neutralizing spray.

For rubber components, like floor mats, smoke can permeate deeply and be hard to remove. Carefully steam clean anything made of rubber. If the smell is still lingering after a few rounds of steam cleaning, things like floor mats may just need to be replaced.

How to Remove Smoke Smell from Vents

One part of a vehicle many people overlook when cleaning to remove smoke smell is the vents. If anyone smoked while driving the vehicle, the smoke likely traveled all the way through the vent system and is lingering in difficult, if not impossible, places to reach and clean.

Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to remove smoke smell from your car’s vents:

• While airing your car out with all the doors open, turn the air up all the way so fresh air can circulate through the entire system for a while.
• With the air on as high as it goes, use your steam cleaner to send steam into an intake vent. The steam will travel through the vent system and help dislodge any dirt or grime that may be holding on to the smoke smell.
• Replace the cabin air filter. This is an easy place for smoke smells to linger. Fortunately, it is inexpensive to buy cabin air filters and pretty easy to replace them on your own.

Quick Tips to Get Smoke Smell Out of Car Quickly

Sometimes, you may not have the luxury of time to conduct a full deep clean of your car’s interior. Whether you’re expecting company or need a quick refresh after an unexpected incident, these quick tips can help to reduce smoke smell swiftly and effectively.

• Use a Car Air Freshener or Odor Eliminator Spray: A high-quality air freshener or odor eliminator spray can mask or neutralize smoke smells in the short term. Keep in mind that these sprays only mask the smell and do not remove it entirely.
• Ventilate: Allow fresh air to circulate in your car as much as possible. Open all doors and windows to let the smoke smell disperse naturally. Using a fan can expedite this process.
• Baking Soda Quick Fix: Baking soda is an effective and quick odor absorber. Sprinkle it on your car seats, floor mats, and other fabric surfaces, let it sit for a few minutes, and then vacuum it up.
• Use Dryer Sheets: If you’re in a rush, wipe down the hard surfaces and fabrics with dryer sheets. They can help mask the smoke smell temporarily.
• Change the Cabin Air Filter: If your car’s model allows for an easy swap, changing the cabin air filter can significantly reduce the smoke smell in your car.

Remember, these are just quick fixes and might not completely eradicate the smell of smoke from your car. For long-term smoke smell removal, you’ll need to invest more time and effort in thoroughly cleaning your car’s interior.

Tips for Removing Cigarette and Weed Smell in Cars

Smoke smell in cars can originate from various sources, with cigarette smoke and weed being the most common. Each source of smoke has unique properties that may require slightly different approaches for removal. Here, we offer some tips specifically aimed at these two sources.

Removing Cigarette Smell from Cars

Cigarette smoke is notorious for leaving a lingering, unpleasant odor that can be tough to remove. Here are some steps that you can take specifically for this type of smoke:

• Use Activated Charcoal: Activated charcoal is highly effective in absorbing cigarette smoke odor. Place bowls of activated charcoal around your car and let it sit for a couple of days to absorb the smell.
• Try White Vinegar: White vinegar can neutralize the smell of cigarette smoke. Fill a few cups with white vinegar and place them around your car overnight.
• Utilize Ozium Air Sanitizer: Ozium is a well-known product used to combat cigarette smoke odors. Following the instructions on the can, spray it inside your car and leave the car closed up for a while.

Removing Weed Smell from Cars

Weed smoke is slightly different from cigarette smoke and may require unique strategies. Here are some tips specifically for removing the smell of weed from your car:

• Coffee Grounds: Interestingly, coffee grounds can absorb the smell of weed effectively. Place some fresh coffee grounds in a couple of open containers and leave them in your car overnight.
• Citrus Peels: The strong, fresh scent of citrus can help mask the smell of weed. Leave some citrus peels (like orange or lemon) in your car for a few hours or overnight.
• Odor Eliminator Sprays: There are sprays specifically designed to tackle the smell of weed smoke, like Cannabolish or Ozium. As always, follow the product’s instructions.

Natural Remedies To Remove Smoke Smell in a Car

There are a number of common household goods and items that can either help absorb odors or mask cigarette smell in cars naturally. You likely already have some or all of these things on hand, and if not, you can get them at just about any grocery store. Some options:

• Baking Soda: Just as it works to deodorize a refrigerator, baking soda can also effectively absorb odors in your car. Sprinkle baking soda over upholstery and carpets, and let it sit for a few hours or overnight before vacuuming it up.
• White Vinegar: Vinegar is an excellent natural deodorizer. Pour some white vinegar into a few cups or small bowls and place them in various locations in your car for 24-48 hours. It will help neutralize the smoke smell without leaving a vinegar scent.
• Essential Oils: Essential oils can both neutralize bad odors and introduce pleasant ones. A few drops of your favorite essential oil, such as lavender or mint, on a cotton ball placed in your car can help mask and neutralize the smoke smell.
• Coffee Grounds: Placing a bowl of coffee grounds in your car overnight can effectively absorb smoke smell. The stronger the grounds, the better the absorption.
• Cat Litter: Cat litter is designed to absorb odors and can do the same for smoke smell in your car. Sprinkle it over your car’s floors, let it sit to absorb the odors, then vacuum it up.
• Activated Charcoal: This is a powerful odor absorber. By leaving bags of activated charcoal around your vehicle for a day or two, you can significantly reduce the smoke smell.
• Cinnamon Sticks: Simmer cinnamon sticks in water, pour the mixture into a travel mug, and place it in your car’s cup holder. The pleasant aroma of cinnamon can help mask any lingering smoke smell.
• Citrus Peels: Citrus peels are another two-in-one solution, as they can both absorb and mask unwanted smells. Scatter orange, lemon, grapefruit, or lime peels on your car’s floor and cup holders.

Odor Bombs and Smoke Eliminators

Odor bombs, as their name suggests, work by releasing a strong, overpowering substance that can penetrate every nook and cranny of your car. They are designed to overpower and eliminate the unpleasant odor rather than just covering it up.

1. Dakota Odor Bomb Odor Eliminator

One highly effective odor bomb is the Dakota Odor Bomb Odor Eliminator. It is a total-release fogger that can reach areas air fresheners simply cannot, effectively removing stubborn smells.

2. Smoke Eater – Breaks Down Smoke Odor at The Molecular Level

Smoke eliminators, on the other hand, are designed specifically for smoke odors. They are chemically formulated to neutralize the specific molecules that make up smoke smells. A recommended product in this category is the Smoke Eater – Breaks Down Smoke Odor at The Molecular Level.

3. Meguiar’s G16402 Whole Car Air Refresher

Additionally, there are also car air fresheners that target smoke odors, such as the Meguiar’s G16402 Whole Car Air Refresher. This easy-to-use product works by circulating through your vehicle’s ventilation system, eliminating unwanted smells and replacing them with a refreshing scent.

Another option is to turn to the professionals and get your car detailed — some detailers even offer odor removal as a special service. Just note that this is going to be the most expensive option by far and might be better as a last resort if you’re just not able to get rid of the smell on your own.

How to Smoke in Your Car Without it Smelling

If you smoke and want to do so without making your car smell, here are a few tips:

• Only smoke with the window rolled down, and hold your cigarette near or all the way out the open window. This won’t guarantee that your car won’t start to smell like smoke, but it will help direct most of the smoke outside to lower the odds.
• Make sure your heater or air conditioner is pulling in air from outside. This brings a steady supply of fresh air into the car that can help reduce odors. If your heater or air conditioner is only recirculating the air that’s already in the car, smoke smells will linger, get into your vent system, and get pushed around to all parts of the car.
• Switch to E-cigarettes. These don’t have the same strong odor.
• Get a car air freshener. While this won’t eliminate the smoke smell, it will help dampen the effect in between rounds of cleaning.
• Quit smoking. This is the healthiest choice and the only way to guarantee your vehicle will never smell like smoke again.

Removing smoke smell from your car isn’t easy, but it can be done. Use these tips to have your vehicle smelling as fresh as possible.