Driving in a car that smells of cigarette smoke is no joyride. Nor is it an easy sell if you ever want to trade it in. This How-To Guide explains how to get rid of tobacco odors from any surface in your vehicle so that you can breathe easy and boost its resale value. These techniques work for all types of tobacco odors, including cigars and cannabis.
In this guide:
- What’s the best cigarette smell remover: Neutralizer or deodorizer?
- How odor neutralizers work
- The right technique for removing cigarette smell in cars
- Removing cigarette smell from car fabrics
- Getting rid of cigarette smell from plastic surfaces in car
- Eliminating cigarette smell in the car’s ventilation system
- What to do if your car still smells of cigarette smoke after a few treatments
- Getting more bang for your buck with multi-purpose odor destroyers
- Where to find Purodora products
Pro Tip
Why eliminating cigarette smells in a car is so darn difficult
Cigarette odors are among the most persistent and difficult odors to remove. That’s because smoke can infiltrate just about anything and anywhere – the ventilation system, the carpets, the seats, the plastic, the seatbelts – you name it. We recommend against using an odor bomb or ozone generator, which will only mask the smell and can potentially create a very unpleasant mix of odors. Better to use the right products and methods. That way, you’ll be guaranteed to eliminate the smell of tobacco entirely from your car without damaging the surfaces.
What’s the best cigarette smell remover: Neutralizer or deodorizer?
The particle that gives off that strong, lingering cigarette smell (nicotine) can seep into any hard or absorbent surface in your vehicle. When it comes to eliminating any unwanted smell – tobacco or otherwise – you have to locate the source of the odor and neutralize it.
Unfortunately, few products sold in stores are odor neutralizers; they simply mask or deodorize the smell. Some merely create an unpleasant mix of odors that can actually make the situation worse. Even if these products do work for a while, the cigarette smell will eventually return.
To completely eliminate stubborn cigarette odors for good, you need a product containing an odor neutralizer that’s specific to the nicotine molecule creating the odor.
Purodora products use advanced odor-neutralizing technology to eliminate even the most stubborn odors on contact (including products that eliminate skunk smell).
How odor neutralizers work
Purodora odor neutralizers quickly and permanently to eliminate all types of smoke odor problems, including cigar and cannabis. They can even eliminate odors that have been around for years. As soon as the product comes into contact with the source of the odor, it molecularly binds to it to neutralize the odor. The odor instantly disappears. The only smell Purodora products leave behind is a fresh, pleasant scent.
See the science behind this advanced odor neutralizing technology and why Purodora products are guaranteed to work!
Pro Tip
For best results, make sure the odor neutralizer reaches ALL of the cigarette odor
To eliminate the unwanted smell completely and permanently, odor neutralizers need to come into contact with the entire source of the odor. For deeply embedded odors, a few treatments may be needed for the product to penetrate deep enough to reach all of the odor-causing molecules and neutralize them completely.
The right technique for removing cigarette smell in cars
Having the right products is important, but it will only take you so far. You also need to use the right odor-removing technique. Below we explain the best odor-removing techniques and products that are proven to work.
Pro Tip
When we talk about the intensity of a cigarette odor, this refers to things like: how long the smoke smell has been embedded in the surface, the number of cigarettes smoked in the car each day and the number of smokers in the car. It also includes, of course, the type of cigarettes or cigars smoked. The more intense the odor, the more treatments will be required to completely eliminate the cigarette smell from the car.
Removing cigarette smell from car fabrics
When treating a vehicle for cigarette smell odors, the first step is to remove the smell that has become embedded in the fabrics, such as the seats, seatbelts and carpets. Here’s how:
- Required materials: Couple of clean cloths, syringe and needle
- Recommended product: Purodora Smoke Odor Neutralizer for Fabrics
Why use Purodora Smoke Odor Neutralizer for Fabrics
- Guaranteed to work (contains a neutralizer specific to smoke odor from cannabis, cigarettes and cigars)
- Completely eliminates smoke odors in fabrics and other soft surfaces
- Easy-to-use: no diluting or rinsing required
- Alcohol-based: works on contact and then quickly evaporates to eliminate the risk of fabrics mildewing
- Won’t stain fabrics
- Also great for use on fabrics and upholstered furniture in the home
- Safe for people, pets & planet
- Leaves a pleasant lemon scent in the air for several hours after use
Eliminating cigarette smell on seatbelts
Simply spray Purodora Smoke Odor Neutralizer for Fabrics directly on all parts of the seatbelt smelling of cigarette odor and allow to work. No rinsing or drying required.
Eliminating cigarette smell on fabric car seats
To eliminate mild cigarette odors on fabric seats:
- Spray Purodora Smoke Odor Neutralizer for Fabrics on fabric seats.
- Allow the product to work. No rinsing or drying required.
To eliminate strong cigarette odors on fabric seats:
- Use a syringe and needle to inject Purodora Smoke Odor Neutralizer for Fabrics into the thick cushion of the seat and backrest.
- Inject 3 to 5 ml of product at 1-inch intervals to reach all of the cigarette odor.
- Finish by spraying the entire surface of the seat and backrest with Purodora Smoke Odor Neutralizer for Fabrics.
- Allow product to work. No rinsing or drying required.
Pro Tip
Keep in mind that to eliminate an odor permanently, you have to treat the source of the odor. Cigarette smoke can penetrate deep into the thick cushions of car seats and backrests. A simple spray on the outer fabric is rarely enough to completely remove strong cigarette smells. Only by injecting it can the product come into contact with the entire source of the odor and neutralize it.
Eliminating cigarette smell in genuine leather car seats
Always proceed with caution when treating genuine leather
Before using any product on genuine leather, it’s best to always test a non-visible area to ensure it doesn’t discolor. Never spray products directly onto leather. Instead, apply with a clean cloth and rub gently. Also remember to always remove the product after the indicated time with a clean, barely damp cloth. Keep in mind that leather absorbs odors more deeply than fabric, so several treatments may be needed.
To eliminate mild cigarette odors in leather seats:
- Spray Purodora Smoke Odor Neutralizer for Fabrics on a clean cloth and gently wipe the seats.
- Allow product to work for 15 minutes.
- Remove with a clean, damp cloth.
To eliminate strong cigarette odors in leather seats:
- Use a syringe and needle to inject Purodora Smoke Odor Neutralizer for Fabrics. (To avoid damaging the leather, inject the product at the seams. Do your best to inject the product throughout the inside cushion.)
- Spray Purodora Smoke Odor Neutralizer for Fabrics on a clean cloth and gently wipe the seats.
- Allow product to work for 15 minutes.
- Remove with a clean, damp cloth.
Eliminating cigarette smell in synthetic leather car seats
Warning: Purodora Smoke Odor Neutralizer for Fabrics is an alcohol-based product and should not be used on synthetic leather. Because of the dyes used in synthetic leather, discoloration can occur.
Getting rid of cigarette smell from vehicle carpets
To eliminate mild cigarette odors:
- Spray Purodora Smoke Odor Neutralizer for Fabrics on the carpets.
- Allow to work. No rinsing required. Purodora Smoke Odor Neutralizer for Fabrics is alcohol based and will evaporate quickly without causing carpets to mildew.
To eliminate strong cigarette odors:
If the cigarette smell is particularly intense, or if you want to do a really deep treatment, we recommend using Purodora Smoke Odor Neutralizer for Hard Surfaces with a carpet cleaner. The carpets will come out looking great and smelling clean as a whistle.
- Fill tank of carpet cleaner with Purodora Smoke Odor Neutralizer for Hard Surfaces.
- Clean carpet as instructed on machine.
Why use Purodora Smoke Odor Neutralizer for Hard Surfaces
- Guaranteed to work (contains a neutralizer specific to smoke odor from cannabis, cigarettes and cigars)
- Thoroughly cleans dirt and removes nicotine particles
- Water-based concentrated neutralizer
- Safe for people, pets & home
- Leaves a pleasant pine and citrus scent in the air for several hours after use
Getting rid of cigarette smell from plastic surfaces in car
The cigarette odor molecule also sticks to hard surfaces in vehicles, such as the dashboard, doors, floor mats and other plastic surfaces. To eliminate the smell of cigarette odors from all hard surfaces in the vehicle:
- Mix ½ cup (120 ml) of Purodora Smoke Odor Neutralizer for Hard Surfaces with 1 gallon (4 L) of water.
- Apply to surface with a clean cloth and scrub.
- Allow surface to air dry; no rinsing required.
Eliminating cigarette smell in the car’s ventilation system
When trying to eliminate the smell of cigarettes in a vehicle, many people will focus on the seats and carpets, but overlook the ventilation system. That’s a shame because the plastic ducts can really absorb the strong smell of cigarettes.
Spray Purodora Smoke Odor Neutralizer for Fabrics on the carpets in front of the driver and passenger seats. Turn on the car’s heat or air conditioning and run at for 2-3 minutes. Allow the product to work. No need to rinse.
What to do if your car still smells of cigarette smoke after a few treatments
Don’t worry. Just be patient and keep at it.
It can sometimes take several treatments to get rid of cigarette smells from a vehicle completely – especially if the smell has been around for a long time. Don’t get discouraged. If 75% of the smell is gone within a few days, it means the treatment is working, but that there are still some smelly nicotine particles left to neutralize. Keep treating the surfaces. Eventually you will eliminate 100% of the cigarette smell from your car or truck – for good.
Get more bang for your buck with multi-purpose odor destroyers
We know how frustrating it can be to buy a specialized product you might only use once. Purodora products are designed to eliminate specific odors, but can also be used for a wide range of purposes both inside and outside your home and car.
Other uses for Purodora Smoke Odor Neutralizer for Hard Surfaces
Also makes a great all-purpose cleaner for wood, ceramic, vinyl, concrete and all other types of flooring. Leaves your home smelling like pine and citrus.
Other uses for Purodora Smoke Odor Neutralizer for Fabrics
Also great for use throughout the house, car and even the farm to neutralize all sorts of odors: musty & mildewy smells, wet dog, barn odors and more.
Where to find Purodora products
Purodora odor neutralizers are available online and at many pet supply stores. Check out our Find Us section to find the retailer nearest you.
We want you to be completely satisfied with our products. If you have any questions or comments, contact us by email, phone or live chat! We’re here to help!
