How to Get Rid of Cigarette Smell in Your Car

Car buyers often look at the used market and end up purchasing a pre-owned vehicle. But during an inspection, you may notice that the cabin smells strongly of smoke. This flaw can be the deciding factor in walking away from an otherwise good deal. Not everyone wants to spend time in a car like that, and it also affects how the interior looks: the upholstery and trim can look yellowed and stained. It has also been shown that unpleasant odors in a car reduce a driver's concentration, which is simply dangerous. How can you clean the interior and air out the stale tobacco smell? It's easy to find products designed specifically to neutralize tobacco odor. Start by wiping down all the plastic surfaces in your car's interior, since plastic absorbs odors more than anything else. Next, thoroughly clean the fabric upholstery, the floor mats and, of course, the ashtray. After that, it's best to use air fresheners: one clipped to an air vent and another sprayed evenly throughout the cabin. This will fully mask weak odors in the car, although stronger ones may still make themselves known. The result will be better if you use air fresheners made specifically to eliminate tobacco smell. If your car has air conditioning, the system needs to be cleaned too. It's best to leave A/C cleaning to a professional shop, but if you prefer, you can follow a guide and do it yourself. The most radical way to get rid of the unwanted smell is a professional deep clean of the interior (steam or chemical cleaning). Yes, after this procedure a chemical smell will linger in the cabin for a while. That's why it's best done in summer, since for seven to ten days you will have to drive with the windows open and keep using air fresheners. But in the end, no trace of the chemical smell will remain: it will air out, and there will be no more foreign odors in your car. Although there are several ways to rid the cabin of tobacco smell, one way or another they will all cost the owner money. So if you're buying a used car, it makes sense to point out the smoke smell to the seller right away and clearly hint that you expect a discount on the asking price. Good luck!