smoke odor

**Supergus1** · 03-08-2017, 07:34 PM

Wife just bought a used car and its obvious it was a smoker's vehicle. it's not terrible, but you can still smell it, and someone obviously used deodorizer or something to try to mask the smell. Is it possible to truly get rid of all the odor, maybe steam cleaning it? Thanks

**Jeremy1976** · 03-08-2017, 08:26 PM

I would steam clean including blowing out the hvac system then ozone shock and last 15 or 20 minutes run with hvac on recirculating the air on high. I completely eliminated smoke smell with steam cleaning. Be careful steaming the headliner.

**mike33175** · 03-08-2017, 09:08 PM

I searched the forum for this issue and I saw a post about Dakota Products "Non-Smoke". It works very well! It smells a little like baby powder and seems to actually remove the odor. I sprayed it in the car overnight and let the warm sunny day work it in. So far so good!

**karl1672** · 03-09-2017, 07:35 AM

I've used Dakota Odor Bombs as well (new car scent), work pretty well.

**forrest@mothers** · 03-09-2017, 08:47 AM

I'd go with chlorine dioxide. It's very effective and inexpensive. A few of those crystals in their container, with water added, does a great job.

**KirkH** · 03-09-2017, 10:06 AM

I had a customer's vehicle recently that had a smoke/tobacco smell that the customer said would not go away.

I found a cigarette butt hidden down deep under the seat.

On another customer's vehicle, customer wanted a "coke" stain removed from the seat. Truck smelled like smoke/tobacco. Customer said he doesn't smoke. Investigating, I found a small pile of dried up tobacco dip under the seat. I asked if anyone dipped tobacco. Customer said "yes my son." It wasn't a coke stain. It was a dip cup spill.

Keep alert to the possibility that the source of smoke/tobacco smell could still be in the car.

**MattPersman** · 03-09-2017, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by forrest@mothers

I'd go with chlorine dioxide. It's very effective and inexpensive. A few of those crystals in their container, with water added, does a great job.

Any more info on this? Specific brands and sources ? Thanks

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Rod73** · 03-09-2017, 02:14 PM

I am a big fan of Dakota Smokers Deioderizer. I will often give my customers vehicle a spray of that even if I am focused on the exterior, if I was for example just vacuming.

I would suggest even just using something mild (interior cleaner) and wipe down the whole inside with it. Carefully (gentle) include the headliner where odors often go. Then a couple sprays of the Dakota product should ensure removal.

**FlyinLow** · 03-09-2017, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by forrest@mothers

I'd go with chlorine dioxide. It's very effective and inexpensive. A few of those crystals in their container, with water added, does a great job.

Forrest@mothers, is this something you just leave in the car?

**Firehouse Mike** · 03-09-2017, 03:51 PM

Thoroughly clean, I mean everywhere. The source needs to be removed then Ozone it. If you dont have one try borrowing or renting one locally. I just picked on up a few weeks ago and my daughters car was the test. Ive detailed it a couple times and the musty mold and smoke odors just kinda linger around. 30 minute Ozone hit and so far it still smells like new!!

Mike