getting rid of smoke smell in car

[SubPrimeME]

So I just bought a used car, but it's got only one issue... It's been smoked in, and it's giving me a headache everytime I drive it.

What has worked for people in this situation? I have heard coffee grounds, or amonia... any others?

[Overmylimit]

The best thing that will work is call your local cleaning supply company and see if you can rent a small ozone machine. You basically turn it on and leave it for 24 hours then air the car out and the odor is gone. They are used by car lots, cleaning companies, hotels etc. Anything else you use is just going to mask the smell, but it will keep coming back.

[Trixie007]

Ozium! You can buy it usually in the auto section of Wal-Mart. Cheap and works really well. All you do is spray it in the air (a lo-o-o-ng spray) and after a short time it clears it right up. As a smoker, I've used this for years if I'm going to be transporting non-smokers - they always tell me they can't smell the cigarette odors. I particularly like the "new car scent" - I've had people say, oh you take such good care of your car, it still smells new!

[Over our heads]

Get a bowl of baking soda and leave it in there for a few days.
Coffee grounds work the same too, they absorb odors.
Charcoal works too so I have heard.

Baking soda is the cheapest route tho, and if you can leave the widows open too.
After you get the knock you over when you open the door smell out, if the interior seats are fabric, I would suggest febreeze or something of the like.

I had to borrow my dad's car for a bit, I stuck a cheap renuzit type air freshener thing in there and left the windows down.

As a reformed smoker, the smell is very harsh on me.

[SubPrimeME]

Ozium! You can buy it usually in the auto section of Wal-Mart. Cheap and works really well. All you do is spray it in the air (a lo-o-o-ng spray) and after a short time it clears it right up. As a smoker, I've used this for years if I'm going to be transporting non-smokers - they always tell me they can't smell the cigarette odors. I particularly like the "new car scent" - I've had people say, oh you take such good care of your car, it still smells new!

OK super, I will check that one out! I tried febreeze, but the smell was back in a day or so...

[SubPrimeME]

Get a bowl of baking soda and leave it in there for a few days.
Coffee grounds work the same too, they absorb odors.
Charcoal works too so I have heard.

Baking soda is the cheapest route tho, and if you can leave the widows open too.
After you get the knock you over when you open the door smell out, if the interior seats are fabric, I would suggest febreeze or something of the like.

I had to borrow my dad's car for a bit, I stuck a cheap renuzit type air freshener thing in there and left the windows down.

As a reformed smoker, the smell is very harsh on me.

Ya, I can imagine, I never smoked but I grew up with two parents who smoked, and now that I look back on it, they had the dang windows up... needless to say they both passed away from cancer.

[SubPrimeME]

The best thing that will work is call your local cleaning supply company and see if you can rent a small ozone machine. You basically turn it on and leave it for 24 hours then air the car out and the odor is gone. They are used by car lots, cleaning companies, hotels etc. Anything else you use is just going to mask the smell, but it will keep coming back.

Thanks, I looked at one of those as we have two stinky dogs(multi uses), and they are around 300 bucks.

[HRx]

You will only be able to reduce the odor and not completely remove it because it's trap and ingrained into the cars carpet, headliner, seats etc. You can try having it professionally deoderized by a reputable auto detailer too.

[SubPrimeME]

You will only be able to reduce the odor and not completely remove it because it's trap and ingrained into the cars carpet, headliner, seats etc. You can try having it professionally deoderized by a reputable auto detailer too.

Ya I got a quote on the detail... Need to do something though, that stink... ugh!?!

[filingin08]

My sister bought a car from a smoker once and put sliced apples under the car seats. It took awhile, but the smoke smell went away.

My husband's car was previously owned by a smoker... we did apples, fabreeze and kept the windows rolled down when we could. You can't tell now.

[Overmylimit]

I forgot also change your cabin filters, most newer cars have them. Otherwise when you use the heat/air it will recirculate.

[BrokeinCA]

We bought a car that had been smoked in. A friend of ours owns a mobile auto detail service. He started the car, ran the AC on high, put an ozone machine (Living Air) in the car on high and let it run for an hour. The smell was gone. This is the method he always uses and so far it hasn't let him down. We own a living air, but you may be able to borrow one from a friend or coworker. Good luck!

[SubPrimeME]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! Apples huh, wouldn't want to forget about them for too long!

[Peevee]

roll the windows down and let the sunshine air it out. this helps better than anything

[twuoo]

Ugh, get teh smoke smell down while you can. Come summer and the car starts baking, it will get magnified PLENTY! Yuck!

I was at a patient's house and when I left, I had the most splitting migraine and sore throat. Was sooooo bad.