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

Man smoking cigarette in car


Browsing our used vehicle inventory with the help of our used car buying checklist means you can find a great model that fits your budget and lifestyle. Unfortunately, sometimes used vehicles require minor maintenance to fix any small issues leftover from the previous owner, especially if they smoked in the car.

The smoke penetrates soft surfaces throughout the cabin and leaves behind a scent within the microfibers of the upholstery. Want to learn how to get cigarette smoke out of a car interior?  Music City Autoplex is here to help you remove cigarette smells, so your Nashville commute can be fresher than ever.

Remove Cigarette Smells from Car Carpets & Upholstery

Learning how to get rid of smoke smell in a car is simple with our tips. However, the process of how to get rid of cigarette smells requires different tools and techniques when working on carpet, upholstery, or leather to remove the smoke smell from a car. The first step of how to get cigarette smoke out of your car interior is to gather some baking soda and a vacuum. Then, follow these steps:

  • Vacuum the Interior: Attempt to vacuum your cabin as thoroughly as possible. Make sure to get under the seats and in-between any crevices, as this will clear out any old ashes that may be coating those surfaces.
  • Sprinkle Baking Soda: Generously sprinkle your baking soda throughout your car’s interior. Baking soda is a strong odor neutralizer that can help capture unwanted scents. Allow the baking soda to sit for a while and do its job.
  • Vacuum Once More: After letting it rest, vacuum up the baking soda to clean your interior. If you still notice the smoky smell, you can sprinkle small amounts of baking soda in the affected areas. You also have the option to leave an open box of baking soda in your vehicle overnight to get the smoke smell out of your car.

How to Get the Smoke Smell Out of a Car with Leather Seats

Surfaces throughout the interior of your car can be affected by the smell of smoke, so cleaning them all properly is crucial if you are looking to achieve that new car smell. If you’re wondering about how to get cigarette smoke out of a car interior with leather, follow these steps:

  1. Choose a Leather or Surface Cleaner: In order to achieve the deep clean you are looking for, each surface must be treated with care. Select the appropriate surface cleaner for the various components of your cabin. A leather cleaner will work great for leather seating, and a dashboard cleaner can take care of many hard surfaces.
  2. Repeat as Needed: Due to a variety of reasons, the smell of smoke may be deeply embedded in your car’s interior. Repeat the cleaning process as many times as necessary or periodically to keep your car smelling like new.

Once you have freshened the interior of your vehicle, be sure to follow the rest of our car maintenance tips for a smoother ride while cruising through Hendersonville!

How to Get Cigarette Smell Out of Other Areas of the Car

After all of this cleaning, you may still notice a lingering scent. Be sure to properly clean your windows, front and rear windshields, and replace your air filter if necessary. The smell of smoke can also seep into the air vents, so check out a vent cleaning product to refresh your AC/heating system.

Shop for a Used Vehicle in Madison!

If you have more questions about how to get the smoke smell out of a car, contact us today. Our team can offer tons of service tips and can help you see why you should change your oil regularly and the benefits of buying used. We will help you find the vehicle to suit your needs and budget. Get started from the comfort of your own home and apply for financing online. Visit us near Clarksville to take a test drive today!

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Music City Autoplex 36.269330, -86.710610.