Dealing with stale lingering cigarette smoke odors in your car can be a frustrating olfactory experience. Luckily, there are several DIY cleaning methods that work to effectively eliminate unpleasant smoke smells from your vehicle’s interior.

Start by prepping your car cleaning supplies – you’ll need:

• Baking soda
• White vinegar or lemon juice
• Spray bottles for solutions
• Soft rags
• Rubber gloves
• A vacuum

Step #1: Remove All Loose Items/Debris
Start by removing all floor mats, trash and other removable items that may have absorbed odors. Give the interior a thorough vacuuming to lift surface smells and grime.

Step #2: Mix DIY Smoke Cleaning Solutions In a spray bottle, mix warm water with either white vinegar or lemon juice concentrate. For neutralizing more stubborn odors, bake some baking soda on a pan at 300°F for an hour to amplify odor fighting properties, let cool before using.

Step #3: Spray & Wipe Down All Surfaces Spray your DIY cleaning solution generously on upholstery, headliner, floor and all other cloth and vinyl areas. Be careful not to saturate leather. Let soak briefly then wipe down using clean rags.

Step #4: Sprinkle Baking Soda & Vacuum Liberally sprinkle baking soda over seats and carpets. Allow to sit for a few hours so it can absorb smoking residues stuck to fibers. Then thoroughly vacuum all areas to lift out smells.

It may take repeating this interior smoke removal process 1-2 times to successfully neutralize unwanted lingering odors. Ozone machine treatment is also an effective option for stubborn smoke smells. With some elbow grease, these DIY techniques can have your car interior smelling fresh again.