4 Sep 2024
How to get rid of tobacco odour from your car
Do you notice the smell of cigarette smoke lingering in your car? In this article, we will find out how to remove this smell from a car’s upholstery, seats, carpets, vents and more.
It can be frustrating to notice the smell of cigarettes in your car, it is difficult to remove and it can also be very unpleasant for your passengers. There are some simple household products and methods that can help. You can start by trying the following:
- Vacuum the surfaces of the car
- Ventilate the car by opening a window
- Clean the floor mats separately
- Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet and upholstery (check the manufacturer's instructions before doing this).
- Clean seat belts
- Disinfect car ashtrays or dispose of them if the smell persists.
While the above steps may be helpful in removing the cigarette smell from your car, more rigorous cleaning methods might be necessary. Before you continue, check if the car manufacturer has any guidance on how to tackle car smells.
What do you need to remove the smell of tobacco smoke from a car?
To clean your car, you’ll need some cleaning supplies and the right tools for the job. The following list includes products that may prove useful.*
- A vacuum
- Paper towels
- A bucket of water
- Scrubbing brushes
- Potentially a new air cabin filter, if this is the source of smoke smell
- Disinfectant
- Fabric freshener
- Air freshener – this could help keep a pleasant smell in the car after cleaning
- Dish soap.
If you’ve tried the methods above and your car still smells of tobacco smoke, you should try to find the root cause of the smell. The traditional tobacco smell comes from smoke particles that can be dispersed throughout the car, including the air vents, cabin filter or leather seats. Each of these components in your car require a particular cleaning method. Check with your car manufacturer for further information on these cleaning methods.
How to get smoke smell out of a car’s leather
Smoke smell can become deeply ingrained in leather surfaces. Standard cleaning products might not be effective, and you might need specific cleaning products to remove smoke smell from a car’s leather seats.
As it could be difficult to get rid of cigarette odours from your car’s leather seats, you may need to clean the surfaces multiple times. If the smoke smell persists after exhausting all the cleaning options available to you, you might want to consider professional cleaning services. They will have the expertise necessary to eliminate cigarette smells from your leather seats.*
Removing cigarette smell from a car’s vents
A car’s vents, air conditioning, or HVAC are all areas where stubborn smoke smells can linger. You may be able to follow the steps below to remedy the problem.*
- Turn your car on
- Set the HVAC system to ‘recirculate.’ Read the car manufacturer's guidance on how to do this
- Turn the fans to high and set the temperature to low
- Spray a deodorizer in the HVAC system
- Turn the car off and leave the windows open for some time.
If the above doesn’t remove the cigarette smell, the source of this may be another part of the car. When finding yourself in this situation, it might also be worth considering changing the in-cabin air filter.
How to replace an in-cabin air filter
Your car’s in-cabin air filter is not the same as the HVAC. The air filter provides a passageway for clean air to enter the engine. Being a filter, it is also designed to prevent dust and debris from entering the engine.
Air filters usually need changing over time. Think back to the last time you changed yours – it might be time for a replacement. Adult smokers might need to replace the filter more frequently because the filter could start to smell like cigarettes. You can typically remove and replace your car’s filter without any tools.
The steps for how you could change an in-cabin air filter include the following:
- Remove everything from the glove box
- Slide the glovebox off its hinges, providing access to the filter
- Remove the air filter by following manufacturer’s guidance
- Insert the new air filter. Make sure it’s secure
- Re-attach the glovebox.
It’s important to follow manufacturer guidance when changing the in-cabin air filter as this can be relevant to your car’s particular model. If you are changing air filters, it’s best to do this with a like-for-like replacement.
How to prevent cigarette smells in your car
The best way to prevent cigarette odours is to avoid smoking in your car altogether. If you plan to continue smoking, there are a few measures you can take to potentially reduce the likelihood of lingering tobacco smoke odours in the future*:
- Ensure air conditioning pulls in air from outdoors, you don’t want your car to be circulating air containing smoke particles.
- Keep the window open.
Alternatively, you could consider switching to a smoke-free alternative, such as vapes or heated tobacco. Smoke smell won’t be a problem with smoke-free products, as they may (depending on the product) produce less odour than cigarettes – one that could be considered less bothersome, depending on personal preference.
Are you experiencing lingering cigarette smells in other places? Learn how to remove cigarette smells from your home, furniture, and clothes.
* Before you continue with any of the recommended steps, check manufacturer guidance. This advice may not be applicable to your vehicle. Always follow the car manufacturer's guidance.
Smoke-free products are not risk-free and their use leads to the inhalation of nicotine, which is addictive. The best decision any adult smoker can make is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether. Smoke-free products are not alternatives to quitting and are not designed as cessation aids.
(Disclaimer: This article is for general information and educational purposes. Some of the information in this article is based on external, third-party sources and we make no representations or warranties of any kind regarding the accuracy, validity or completeness of such information.)