Smoke- / Tobacco smoke- is one of the most difficult smells to remove from a car, as the smoke permeates almost every interior finish. Most smokers drop cigarette / cigar ash down the side of the steering column or gear shift, there may also be tar stains on these items; until all traces of ash and tar are removed the tobacco smell will remain
Smoke molecules are microscopic and they exhibit a very strong adhesive quality; plus they don't conform to normal cleaning standards. A solvent will not break there bond; a detergent will not suspend them for extraction. More than any other odour problem smoke removal is a process.
Removal of smoke, pet odours, virtually any organically caused mal-odour in carpet, seats, headliners, upholstery and heating and air conditioning ducts. As with all smell and odour removal check the cabin air filter, change as necessary
Start by cleaning the carpets and upholstery with an extractor and 303 Carpet & Spot Remover TM . Clean leather, vinyl and all interior glass surfaces with approved cleaners, once the carpet has dried for 24 hours, sprinkle with baking soda, rub it in to ensure that it penetrates the fibres and leave it for about a week, then vacuum the carpet to remove. The baking soda should absorb the remaining odour in the carpet. As with all smell and odour removal check the cabin air filter, change as necessary.
Don't forget the headliner, as this is the source of most of the tobacco smell
(See also Ozone Generator)
|