What is the best way to get cigar smell out of a car?
I just bought a 2003 Range Rover for a steal, the only catch was that the previous owner used to smoke cigars in it. I’m just looking for a few tried and true methods for smoke odor removal. Thanks in advance for all of your help.
Hello there,
I have smoked cigars for years so I can imagine what you are facing. One girlfriend used to spray Lysol to remove the smell. It worked to mask the smell. But to remove the smell permanently you have do to a thorough cleaning. One thing you will have to do, is clean away all ash. Not only in the ashtray, but in the carpeting also. Just putting down a cleaner or masking agent will have limited effect. The ash will have to be removed or else the smell will return. Also, cigar smoke is very heavy and leaves a residue on the various surfaces. You will have to clean those well to remove that residue. The glass and leather is easy. Windex works to remove it. If the prior owner has not cleaned his vehicle in a while, you will get a yellowish-brown residue on your cleaning rag. It may take several cleaning to get all the residue removed. As long as you are still getting some yellow residue on the cleaning rag, the residue is not all gone. Fabrics are the hardest part to clean completely. If you know of a professional cleaner you might contact him for a good fabric cleaner. (a guy who cleans buildings after a fire and the like). I got some fabric cleaner that worked well to remove the smoke from fabric from such a guy. Don’t recall the name of the stuff. But all professional cleaners use something like that.
A professional car detailer may be able to do the job for you.
I guess you have figured out why you got a good deal.
Later,
Odor Treatment