Smoke odor is one of the toughest smells to eliminate from your vehicle’s interior. Nicotine and tobacco can embed themselves deep within the fabric fibers, affecting areas that may not even be visible.The extent to which we can remove the odor depends primarily on two factors:
1) how long the vehicle has been exposed to smoke, and
2) how much smoking occurred inside.The longer and more frequently smoking took place, the more challenging and time-consuming it will be to reduce the odor to an acceptable level.
Unfortunately, in cases of heavy smoking over several years, it’s unlikely we can completely eliminate the smell.However, we can certainly lessen the odor significantly.
To fully eradicate it, though, you may need to replace certain fabrics, such as the headliner, carpeting, and floor mats.
Intensive Interior Cleaning and Smoke Odor Removal Process
Removing smoke odor is a detailed process that goes beyond the quick 3-hour turnaround of our Full Interior Cleaning service. To ensure the job is done properly, we require your vehicle to be dropped off at our shop for a minimum of two days.
The goal of this service is not to mask the smoke smell with a fragrance or perfume, but to thoroughly remove, reduce, and eliminate the nicotine and tobacco residue that’s embedded in your interior. This is the only way to guarantee long-lasting results. Our aim is to return your vehicle with the odor fully gone, ensuring it won’t come back.
We’ve successfully tackled some of the toughest smoke odor cases over the past year and are confident in our process. We can schedule a time for you to visit our shop for an inspection and discuss the best options based on your needs.
Not many places in Iowa specialize in effective smoke odor removal. Simply shampooing or steaming the interior won’t be enough to significantly reduce or eliminate the smell.
If your odor issue is more of a lingering scent from an interior that hasn’t been cleaned in a while, our Full Interior Cleaning service might be a more suitable option for you.
It’s crucial that you replace your cabin air filter with a new one. If the old filter remains, even after we’ve completed the odor removal, the smoke odor trapped in the filter will circulate right back into the cabin once you turn on the AC.
Although the process involves just six steps, it typically takes between 10 to 15 hours to complete. A significant portion of the time is spent waiting for the ozone treatment to finish and air out, after which we can conduct a final inspection.
The Smoke Odor Removal Process
1️⃣ Vacuum All SurfacesWe start by thoroughly vacuuming every surface, including the headliner, under the seats, carpeting, floor mats, and any other areas that may have collected debris or smoke residue.
2️⃣ Clean All Plastic & Leather SurfacesUsing a specialized smoke odor cleaner, we carefully clean all plastic, leather, and rubber surfaces, including hard-to-reach areas, to remove any lingering tobacco residue.
3️⃣ Extract All Fabric SurfacesWe use a hot water extractor with a tobacco-specific cleaner to shampoo the seats, carpets, floor mats, seat belts, and, if possible, the headliner. This helps lift out deep-set smoke particles.
4️⃣ Clean All Windows & MirrorsAll interior windows and mirrors will be meticulously cleaned to remove smoke residue, leaving a streak-free, crystal-clear finish.
5️⃣ Completely Dry the InteriorBefore moving forward, the interior must be fully dry. We place 3 to 6 air movers strategically throughout the cabin to accelerate drying time. Depending on the condition of the interior, this step may take varying amounts of time.
6️⃣ Ozone TreatmentUsing our commercial-grade ozone machine, we conduct a treatment for 2 to 5 hours, depending on the severity of the odor. If necessary, we repeat the process until we’re satisfied with the results.
Additionally, replacing your cabin air filter is essential. If the old filter remains in place, even after we’ve completed the entire odor removal process, any smoke odor trapped in the filter will circulate back into the cabin when the AC is turned on.
Smoke Odor Removal Pricing
$500 - $700+
Price will vary based on size, condition, and severity of the smoke odor.
✅ Full interior cleaning
✅ Replace cabin air filter
✅ Multiple ozone treatments
✅ Smoke odor removed
Smoke Odor Removal FAQs
Do you remove the seats and carpeting?
When necessary, based on the condition of the interior, we may remove the seats. However, for many smoke odor removal jobs, this step isn't required. We have specialized machines and brushes designed to reach tight spaces and thoroughly clean areas that are hard to access.
Can you guarantee the odor will be removed?
The effectiveness of odor removal depends on the severity of the smoke odor and the condition of the interior. Our goal is always to remove as much odor as possible, and if feasible, eliminate it entirely. If, after completing our smoke odor process, the odor returns within a few days or weeks, we will perform another ozone treatment at no extra charge.
Can you do this at my home or office?
All smoke odor treatments are performed at our detail shop. While we do offer limited mobile detailing services, the extensive nature of the cleaning process requires us to do the work in-shop. The challenges posed by outdoor conditions such as heat, rain, humidity, and debris make it difficult to ensure the job is done properly. Additionally, since the process can take 10+ hours, we ask that you drop off your vehicle at our shop for at least two days.
What products do you use?
For smoke odor removal, we use highly specialized products and equipment designed to neutralize, reduce, and eliminate smoke odor. This is not simply a generic degreaser or steam cleaning; each step we take is targeted to achieve optimal results.
Will I smell any chemicals once the service is complete?
No, you won’t! One of the reasons we require your vehicle to be dropped off at our shop is to allow time for the interior to air out. We expedite this process by using multiple air movers to ensure no chemical smells linger, leaving your car fresh.
Can you remove every stain?
Stain removal can vary depending on the type of stain and the material it's on. While we use premium tools, products, and machines and have extensive experience, some stains—especially those that have been there for a long time—may only be cleaned to a certain extent. We’ll always do our best to improve the appearance of your interior, but not all stains can be fully removed.