How to get bad smell out of car?

[matt_parrs]

my Fiat i bought 2nd hand, and the owner before me was obviously a smoker (it stunk). i know the vinegar trick works wonders but all i did was air it out. i bought in the summer and had windows down most of the days, even when it was parked on the driveway... and a month later it was all gone. suppose it takes longer but doesnt require any hard work

[carsandtrucks]

Hello, We purchased a toyota camry from an heavy smoker. Car was cleaned perfectly of all nicotine residue. Could not get the smell out of the vents.
This ABSOLUTELY worked: Bought a small 4 inch tall spray bottle & a small 1 oz. bottle of Pure peppermint oil. (Now I know Oil and water do not mix, but the peppermint will scent the water). Put 10 drops of Pure peppermint oil in the spray bottle and top off with warm water. Carefully Spray directly into vents on carpet and on "lightly" on the interior roof and the back panel near the rear windows behind the back seat where the glass meets the panel. "BE SURE you DO NOT get this in your eyes, it will sting. Closes the doors and leave it sit all day. When you open the doors it will smell strong like like peppermint. Did this 3 times and we have NO nicotine smell for over a year now. Not sure if this will work in your case, but the peppermint will subside within about 2 days after spraying each treatment.

Last, fill an old sock with an 8 ounce box of baking soda and tie it off in a knot. Leave the sock filled with backing soda on the floor under a seat. Works like magic.

[scottmilan]

Perfume and freshener can help with car odor...

Auto Repair Services Ft. Collins, CO

[Jamesfranklin]

I too think that vinegar can be the prefect for it as it is a safe cleaner and it will transform the bad odour of pesticides into a freshy and clean smell. prepare a mix of vinegar and detergent and fill this solution in a empty spray bottle and spray it where you are getting bad odour. you can also mix some additive fragrances of flowers to make it more pleasant.

[Ford Taurus]

There are quite a few ways to eliminate smells that permeate within your car. Although I have seen quite a few products suggested above I would try one of the following:

1) Baking Soda or Coffee bean trays under the seat.
2) Creating a one part white vinegar to three part water spray and misting the interior.
3) Often just airing the car out will be enough to do the trick. Open the windows within a safe garage and leave them down over night. In most cases this will do the tick.

Also, there are some more helpful tips and tricks within this tutorial:
How to Get Dog Smell Out of Car

If all else fails, please send me a PM and I'll help you find the solution. =)

[bennuss]

Rent a vapor cleaner and clean the interior on the car seats carpet ect..
The smell will be gone and as an added plus you will be able to easily clean the stains on the seats or carpet
Make sure it is a dry vapor/steam. Wet steam does not work as well and the car will be soaked inside. You can also use it to clean the engine bay. It is fast and efficient.

[Dilys95]

I had a problem with a smell in the carpet

[bennuss]

The vapor cleaner will clean and get the odor out of the carpet it will vaporize any chemical or molecule that is causing the odor

[Harriet61]

Fabreeze wont do anything for the smell, its not strong enough.

[beckya]

I always have my dogs in the car and after an afternoon at the dog park, they can really leave lots of stinky odors in the car. Some people may crings but I take a scented candle, light it up, set it on the floor of the car where it is open and nothing hanging over it, close the windows and doors and let it burn for a couple of hours.

I have enven on occasion taken carpet deodorizer and done the same thing. Sprinkle it on the carpet, let it sit and then give it a good vacuum. If it is too potent, just open the windows and let it air out.

It works for me!

[Flora62]

Another common source of interior car odors is the air conditioning (A/C) system.

[used auto sales]

always clean your cars.

[ricebike]

Originally Posted by used auto sales

always clean your cars.

and you got spam blocked!

way to go, MODS!

[auto_guy87]

Ive tried the vinegar thing and it works pretty good. A lot of the air fresheners out there arent very good. One time I accidentally spilled some cologne on the floor and my car smelt great for weeks. Not recommending that though.

[DeltaP]

As a teen I hid an open can of sardines under the seat of a neighbor's car. They had to sell the car to get rid of the smell!
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I'll remember not to park in your spot!