How To Get Smoke Smell Out Of A Car

When you buy a used car, you can get the features and performance specs you want for a great price, but occasionally used vehicles have minor issues that were left behind by their previous owners. One of the most common issues is the smell of smoke. Smoke smell permeates soft surfaces and attaches to the small fibers of upholstery. It can be tricky to get out, and sometimes air fresheners or order-reducing spray won’t remove smoke smell from a car completely. 

Read along with Jaguar Los Angeles as we explain how to get rid of smoke or cigarette smell in your car so you can drive through Los Angeles and enjoy the fresh air and your new vehicle.

How To Get Rid Of Smoke Smell In A Car: Upholstery

Removing the smoke smell from your car is a relatively easy process, but it will take a little time. First, you need to gather baking soda and a vacuum from your home or a Beverly Hills store. Then follow these steps:

1. Vacuum your upholstery and carpet: Thoroughly vacuum your vehicle, making sure to get under the seats and in crevices. 
2. Sprinkle baking soda over your carpet and upholstery: Sprinkle baking soda everywhere you can, then let it sit for a few hours. Baking soda is a great odor neutralizer and will soak up any leftover smell that’s in your vehicle. 
3. Vacuum up the baking soda: After allowing the baking soda to sit for a few hours, take the vacuum and vacuum it up. If the smoke smell is still lingering, you can reapply it or leave a box of baking soda open overnight to continue absorbing the scent.

How To Get Rid Of Smoke Smell In A Car: Leather and Trim

If you have leather seating in your vehicle, it will require different care than upholstery. The smell of smoke can stick to leather as well – and sometimes leave a residue on its surface. Follow the instructions below to remove the smoke smell from leather:

1. Purchase a special cleaner: Go to a Bel Air car store to find a special cleaner that’s formulated for leather surfaces. Sometimes these cleaners will differentiate depending on which surface you want to clean. For instance – if you want to clean leather seats, then you should buy a cleaner that’s formulated for leather seats.
2. Clean the surface several times: Smoke smell can deeply permeate into surfaces, so you may need to clean them several times to remove it completely. Continuous cleanings will remove the residual smoke smell and residue.

What About Other Parts Of Your Car?

After you’ve cleaned the upholstery, carpet, roof, and trim in your vehicle, take the time to clean its other surfaces as well. Wipe down your windows, the front and back windshield, and any other surfaces you may have missed. Make sure to also take the time to replace your cabin air filter to remove the smell of smoke from your air vents. Cleaning these surfaces will help remove any leftover dust or ash you can’t see, giving your car a fresh scent for your Los Angeles commute.

Learn More DIY Maintenance From Jaguar Los Angeles!

Now that you know how to get smoke smell out of your car, browse our DIY car maintenance tips for other step-by-step guides on how to care for your car at your Los Angeles home! Learn how to jump-start a car, why is your car leaking, how often you should rotate your tires or how to make your tires last longer. You’ll save money and become more familiar with how your car works. If you ever need vehicle service or a repair, you can count on the service team at Jaguar Los Angeles for all your Jaguar needs!