Removing Cigarette Smells

[jvit27]

Febrezing and deodorizers will work but they won't kill the smell completely. For any chance of a smoke-free smell when you get in the car in the morning you gotta be obsessively thorough like mccalia wrote otherwise you'll always have a hint of someone elses DISGUSTING habit. You basically have to clean every single piece and don't neglect any square inch.

[faz]

Lysol spray has been effective in removing A/C odor in previous cars, I am not sure how it might work on smoke smell that has gone into the interior fabric of your car. It may be worth trying.

Having a full detailing/shampooing of the floors/carpets will definitely help.

I had not even heard of the ozone generators before... interesting... even though I am sure EPA wouldn't like them.

[Quicksilver]

Ozone Generators that are Sold as Air Cleaners, EPA information
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html

In recent experiments, ionizers were found to be less effective in removing particles of dust, tobacco smoke, pollen or fungal spores than either high efficiency particle filters or electrostatic precipitators. (Shaughnessy et al., 1994; Pierce, et al., 1996). However, it is apparent from other experiments that the effectiveness of particle air cleaners, including electrostatic precipitators, ion generators, or pleated filters varies widely (U.S. EPA, 1995).

[E61Silver]

I would also replace the cabin air filter.

[dsm2925]

Originally Posted by nasdakboy

What's the matter with you guys??? Don't you watch TV? Fabreze!!!

Well at least on TV they make it look like everything smells miraculously clean and fresh, haha. I have heard that the ozone is awesome.

haha hehe

[dsm2925]

Originally Posted by x54.4blue

I would also replace the cabin air filter.

whats that filter called???

[G Man]

Another tip that I've used for years is to put a few dryer sheets in the vehicle (under the seats, etc.). It especially helps when the weather is warmer. They last a few weeks, and then you throw them away, and add new. Obviously after you have cleaned the interior with some of the methods listed previously.

[aak]

Some great suggestions here - thanks guys. I will pop in to Halfords (uk car products chain bit like pep boys i guess) and pick up some cleaning products and give it a go. I don't have a wet vac but I think you can buy some foam type stuff that you can spray on the carpet and mats and then vacuum up when it goes dry. I'll try to find some of that. I'll also stick some bicarbonate of soda down and hoover that up the next day.

For the seats I think I will give the meguires gold class cleaning and conditioning products a go. I've heard good things about them.

I'm going to use a can of comma air con cleaner which apparently can clean out the smells in the air con system - figures that the cigarette smell will be stuck in there.

I've read about the dryer sheets in a few places now. I'll be using those liberally around the car once the clean has been done.

The one area I'm a little confused about is headling. I know it's dangerous to get headlining wet. Would the carpet cleaning foam that dries and which you then vacuum be ok for the headlining?

[mccalia1]

I sprayed the headlining with All Purpose Cleaner and then wiped over with a damp microfibre cloth. You may need to do this a few times to thoroughly clean it. Pay close attenton to the drivers side, you may find ash has dispersed behind the steering column.

I would avoid using a vacuum just in case you stretch the fabric.

I think I would be realistic in saying that you can never fully remove a cigarette smell as it gets in places you just can't get to, but you can do the best to remove as much of it as possible.

Good luck!

[antonnyc]

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Spray the car with this for about 3 days.....I mean fumigate the heck out of it! all over the headliner and what not...

This got my dad cigar smell out!