Whether you smoke in your car or buy a used car from a smoker, cigarette smoke can leave a lingering odour. Smoke permeates all car surfaces, including upholstery, carpets, hardsurfaces, and even the HVAC system, making it hard to remove. This not only makes the car unpleasant to travel in but can also lower its resale value.

However, with a thorough and effective cleaning process, you can restore a fresh smell to your vehicle. This guide will walk you through the steps to eliminate cigarette odours and share top tips for keeping your car smelling like new.

Remove All Traces of Cigarettes

The first step to remove any lingering cigarette smells from your car is to remove all traces of cigarettes. This means cleaning out any old cigarette packets and buttsthat may be lurking in your vehicle. Remember to check under seats and down door and seat pockets where cigarette butts and other small bits of rubbish can get left behind.

You should also remove any clothes, loose items, or rubbish, like tissues or discarded foodpackets,thatmayharbourcigarettesmells.Disposeofanyrubbishandcleanany other items before returning them to your vehicle.

Cleaning Carpets and Seats

The next step to get your car smelling fresh is to tackle the carpets and seats, asthey retain the most odours, including cigarette smoke.

To ensure a thorough clean, follow our step-by-step guide :

1. Vacuum the up holstery through out the vehicle, paying attention to nooks and crannies where cigarette ash may get trapped.
2. Sprinkle baking soda overall fabric surfaces in the vehicle – this is an important step as baking soda naturally neutralises odours.
3. Leave the baking soda to set in for several hours, ideally
4. At this point, you should notice an improvement in its smell.
5. Spray the interior, seats, carpets, floor mats, door panels, and rooflining witha fabric deodoriser containing enzymes, which will work to break down any remaining odours.