How to Remove the Smell of Smoke from Your Car’s Upholstery

Used cars can be an excellent value for many drivers in the Arlington area. However, if the previous owner smoked in the car, the smell of smoke could still be present in the vehicle you purchased. Smoke permeates soft surfaces, and stays within the fibers of upholstery. Because of this, you may be wondering how to get smoke smell out of a car. Fortunately, the team at Alexandria Volkswagen has the details. Get your vehicle in like new condition today!

How to Get Rid of Smoke Smell in a Car: Carpet and Upholstery

The steps for removing the smoke smell from the fabric upholstery and carpet in your car is a little different from the process for leather surfaces. To remove the smell of smoke, grab some baking soda and a vacuum. All you need to do next is follow the simple steps below:

1. Vacuum the carpet and upholstery thoroughly. It is important to also vacuum under the seats and in the crevices. Old ash could still remain in those areas, causing the smoke smell to still linger.
2. Sprinkle baking soda all over the upholstery and the carpet. The baking soda is an odor neutralizer, and it will need to set for a bit so it has time to capture the unpleasant scents.
3. Once the baking soda has set for an adequate amount of time, vacuum the remnants. If the smell of smoke is still there, you can sprinkle small amounts of baking soda to help remove the scent further. Another way to help get rid of the smoke smell is to leave an open box of baking soda in your vehicle overnight.

How to Get Cigarette Smell Out of Car: Leather and Trim

The smell of smoke not only lingers in fabric upholstery and carpet, but also leather seats as well. It can even leave a residue on other surfaces. Here’s how to get rid of it:

• If you have leather seats, a special cleaner that’s specifically formulated for the surface you are planning on cleaning is necessary for removing the smell of smoke. You will need a cleaner specifically made for leather and one for the dashboard surface.
• Because the smell of smoke can permeate deep into these surfaces, you may have to clean them several times. Multiple cleanings can ensure you’ve fully removed the scent and the residue left behind.

Where Else Can the Smell of Smoke Linger?

After you have cleaned your upholstery, carpet, and trim, you may still notice a slight smell of smoke in your cabin. That is because the odor can still linger on other surfaces like the windows, the front and back windshield, and the air filter. Additional steps you can take to get smoke smell out of a car include wiping down the glass surfaces and replacing the filter.

Find a Used Car in Pristine Condition at Alexandria Volkswagen

If you are looking for a used car in like new condition, you will find plenty of outstanding options at Alexandria Volkswagen. Once you find the car of your dreams, you can have peace of mind knowing that our state-of-the-art service center will help keep your car running smoothly for many years to come. In addition to offering advice on how to remove smoke smell from a car, we are also happy to provide other tips for vehicle care, like how often to rotate your tires. Contact us today with any questions.