Car Smelling Of Cigarette Smoke

[nilrac52]

Hello ABs. I am looking for your expertise. I have just changed my car and my new car(used) smells of cigarette smoke. Obviously the previous owner was a smoker. I have left the windows down for long periods but this hasn't helped. The odour must be held in the fabric covering the seats. Any ideas how I can get rid of the smell?

[elliemay1]

Maybe you should get it valeted

[joggerjayne]

Get it valeted, and tell them to go big on the upholstery cleaner.

You can buy the sprays at Halfords, but you can spend so much on upholstery sprays that you might as well just go to a valentine place.

You need to leave the car with them for a bit if you're having the seats done.

[shoota]

I think it is there for good, I have the same problem and despite professional valeting the smell still lingers, especially after the car is closed up for a while in the sun.
I think it will diminish with time but never quite go - that is why many cars are advertised as coming from a non-smoking owner.
But I'd love to be proved wrong if any body can?

[joggerjayne]

"valentine place" ??

valeting place !

[hc4361]

The smell will also be in the roof lining. In my experience it is impossible to get rid of it completely.

[nilrac52]

Thank you all for your input. I will have it valeted as suggested. I suppose it will help a bit. Disappointed to hear that it might always be there. Ah well at least I am pleased with the car and it's worth suffering the odour. Thank you all again

[joggerjayne]

You could tip some milk on the carpet. After a few days, the smell of that will overpower any smoke smell.

[paddywak]

Sorry nilrac, but youve got it for good.As they others have said there are ways of reducing it by means of cleaning and spraying but once it's in the fabric it's there for good

[paddywak]

Thats a bit extreme JJ I think I'd rather suffer with the smell of old smoke

[nilrac52]

Thanks Paddywack. Just have to put up and shut up!!! I like your style JJ - milk is absolutely foul. Cigarette smoke doesn't even come close

[shoota]

Some tips here:
http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Tobacco-Odors-in-Cars

[woofgang]

oh yuck. Did you not notice it when you looked at the cat before buying it?

[shoota]

Or get a dog, take it in the river then drive home......

[douglas9401]

Further to joggerjayne's top tip, milk will work but the smell will eventually make you sick.
A kipper (wrapped in greaseproof papeer to avoid staining kept under a seat works just as well and can be easily renewed as required.
Alternatively, start smoking.

[jennyjoan]

I sprayed my car for a year and half with everything and the smoke lingered - it clings to walls ceilings floors and never goes away. However things brightened up when I crashed the car and bought a brand new one.

[Baldric]

Borrow my two Dogs for a week, the aroma of phartz will soon hid smokey smell!

[Sipowicz]

Cat? Is it a Jag?

[joggerjayne]

// A kipper (wrapped in greaseproof papeer to avoid staining) kept under a seat works just as well //

Aah, memories of happy hen weekends, and pranking your pal's car (and presumably that sort of thing happens on stag weekends, too)

[paddywak]

A penny in the hub cap,when they used to have them, was an old favourite JJ, no problem when you were motoring at speed but as soon as you slowed down it rattled like hell

[joggerjayne]

Ooh, good one, paddy.

The good old "glove box fish" was a bit of a favourite (with a back up fish somewhere else, in case the bride discovered the one in the glove box).