If you’re sharing your car or trying to sell it, the stench of perma-smoke could cause headaches. Guests are <\/span>prohibited from smoking<\/span><\/a> in any vehicle on the Turo marketplace and could face fines for violating the non-smoking policy. Many Turo hosts proactively remind guests of the potential consequences to minimize the chances of a smoking incident, and guests can decline a car and receive a full refund if the car smells like smoke. All the more reason to clean that interior!<\/span><\/p>\n The easiest way to get rid of lingering smoke is to take your car to a professional detailer, where they can use steam cleaning or other treatments that require equipment that you likely don’t have. However, there are plenty of effective methods you can try at home if you’re determined to clear out smoke odor without forking over the cash for someone else to do it.<\/span><\/p>\n To help you in your quest, we’ve put together a guide for eliminating strong odors baked into your car’s interior. In the past we\u2019ve discussed<\/span> some quick and easy methods<\/span><\/a> for keeping your car clean, but sometimes you need to call the cavalry and go to war on some stank. Try combining a few of these techniques to say goodbye to smoke odor once and for all.<\/span><\/p>\n Before using any serious odor-eliminating products, it\u2019s important to clean every surface of your car\u2019s interior so you can get the best bang for your buck. Start your de-smoking process by following these simple steps to thoroughly clean your car\u2019s cabin. This will give you a good idea of just how much farther you have to go to appease your protesting nose.<\/span><\/p>\n Once dirt and debris are removed, you can simplify the task of cleaning your car\u2019s upholstery by using an all-purpose cleaner. There are plenty of options at any price point available just about anywhere. Or you can use products meant for specific materials like glass or leather, but make sure you read labels first to avoid damaging any surfaces.<\/span><\/p>\n An easy method for DIY smell removal is to use baking soda to absorb odor molecules. You can substitute baking soda with coffee grounds, activated charcoal, or a bowl of white vinegar. These products all soak up odor, so once you remove them from your car, you remove the smell.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s impossible to clean all your car\u2019s air ducts and tubes without pulling everything apart. But you can still address the tarry cigarette residue that may be chilling in the pipes by spraying odor neutralizer into your car\u2019s air intake. You can grab a spray odor neutralizer like <\/span>Meguiar\u2019s Odor Eliminator<\/span> online or at any auto parts shop.<\/span><\/p>\n Air filters pull dust and particles out of the air, and as a result they trap residue and odor. Even if you\u2019ve cleaned all your car\u2019s surfaces, a dirty air filter can pump smell back into your cabin once you turn on the AC. This is a cheap and easy task to do yourself \u2014 don\u2019t let quick oil change shops overcharge you for something that takes five minutes to do.<\/span><\/p>\n Odor bombs are a very effective and cost-efficient method for tackling smoke or any smell. They release a chemical vapor into the cabin that destroys the molecules that carry foul odor instead of covering them up. Odor bomb cartridges are single-use but most are fairly cheap \u2014 <\/span>Dakota<\/span><\/a> makes a popular odor bomb that costs around ten dollars.<\/span><\/p>\n Most odor bombs require a similar procedure, but be sure to follow the instructions on your specific product. You\u2019ll likely close up the windows and leave the odor bomb in your car for a number of hours. Then roll down the windows and flush the air ducts by turning the AC on full blast.<\/span><\/p>\n This is the nuclear option and should be put off until all other methods have been exhausted. Ozone treatment is the most powerful tool for eliminating odor and is better left to the pros, but you can rent an ozone generator and have a go yourself if you have experience around hazardous materials.<\/span><\/p>\n Ozone generators use ultraviolet radiation to break down O<\/span>2<\/span> molecules into single oxygen atoms, which then bond with other O<\/span>2<\/span> molecules to create O<\/span>3<\/span> (ozone). Ozone is unstable and will send an oxygen atom to bond with another molecule, one that might carry odor. This process repeats over and over, eliminating odor by altering the chemical structure of odor-carrying molecules.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/turo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/irina-kostenich-543274.jpg\")
<\/p>\n1. Start with a clean slate<\/span><\/h3>\n
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2. Wash interior surfaces<\/span><\/h3>\n
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3. Baking Soda<\/span><\/h3>\n
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4. Neutralize duct system<\/span><\/h3>\n
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5. Replace cabin air filter<\/span><\/h3>\n
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6. Chemical odor bomb<\/span><\/h3>\n
7. Ozone treatment<\/span><\/h3>\n