We just inherited a vehicle from my husband's parents and they are smokers. I have soaked the inside of this car with Febreeze but it doesn't smell any better. We even left the windows open all night to let it air out. Is there a special product for this, or would a professional cleaning be worth the money? I don't want my son to ride in this thing until that smell is gone. Thank you!
I tried vinegar first, but my husband took the pan out early because he didn't like the vinegar smell, so I don't know if that would have worked or not. Next I tried the coffee, and that seemed to do the trick. Thanks Margaret! I can put my face right up to the fabric and I don't smell any smoke at all.
Place a few shallow dishes of unused coffee beans throughtout. They will absorb the smell. (plus give off a more flattering aroma)
Margaret :)
Lokk up a company that has a deionizer. they are usually the com panies that clean smoke damage from homes.
If you do look at professional cleaners, specifically ask about their success with cigarette smoke and ALWAYS ask about any kind of guarantee. Protect that money of yours!
My husband worked for a dealership and in the detailing department they have a special way of "bombing" a car to remove smoke smell and residue.
In my opinion, it would be very worth the money to have it professionally done.
You can also try steam cleaning it, steam cleaning is known to get rid of cigarette smell and other smells. If you own a steam cleaner try it, you can also send the car over to professional detailing businesses who do car steam cleaning http://www.detailxperts.net/interior-exterior-steam-cleaning like DetailXperts.
I'd say pay the professional and even then, it may not come out completely. Maybe get leather/vinyl seat covers (fabric ones would probably "breathe" and allow the smell to come through) and new floor mats. Wipe everything else down with a bleach mixture. Good luck
I have heard that charcoal absorbs bad smells. You just use the kind that you use in a grill. I've also heard coffee beans. If it smells really bad, you might just have to break down and have it profesionally cleaned. It may be worth the money just to get rid of the smell. I can tell you that Febreeze will NOT work. My mom, dad and stepmom all smoke like chimneys in their house. We received some second hand stuff from them and it REEKED. Febreeze did NOTHING to take the smell away permenently. It was summer, so I was able to let the piece of furniture sit outside after I cleaned it.
Since I don't know of any product, I think I would go for the professional cleaning. You could buy product after product, potentially spending lots of money and putting all sorts of chemicals into your car (and in your lungs while you're doing the spraying) or just let the pros handle it.
Maybe the auto parts store or a dealership could suggest a product. I've heard people say that the dealers have a spray that smells like a new car. Fact or fiction? I don't know. Maybe google has an answer. I've also heard that charcoal will absorb odors. Good luck!
I would get it professionally cleaned
Boil a pan of vinegar and set it in there while it is still steamining. The vinegar steam will sometimes clear out cigarette smoke smells.
It will be tough, especially if the seats are fabric, not leather. I know that auto detailers can professionally remove the smell.
I don't know about cigarette smoke, but I do know about spilled milk. I tried for 2 weeks with different products trying to get the spoiled milk smell out of my car. Eventually I gave up and got the carpets shampooed. It was well worth it. I should have done it immediately instead of wasting my time. The carpet shampooing cost about $30.
If you can get a hand held steam cleaner for the seats, that can help. Steam clean the mats and floor as well. One thing that can be a quick and easy fix is trying OdoBan spray. It's like Fabreez but a super strong version. It's not a pretty scent but it will take away bad smells. I've used it to get rid of bad mildew smells from my triplets playpens and that old mildew smell you get with old tents. You can buy it at Walmart, last I knew!
K. B
mom to 5 including triplets
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HarrisburgPAChat
events and chat within 2 hour raidius
