Removing smoke from a car isn’t easy and requires extensive cleaning before using a dedicated smoke removal product. Steam cleaning the headliner and any touchpoints such as the steering wheel, shifter, seatbelt, door handles, etc., is a must to remove the smoke residue. After all applicable surfaces have been steam cleaned, it’s time to use the hot water extractor on the carpet, fabric floor mats, and cloth upholstery.
After the interior has been thoroughly cleaned, it should start to smell a lot fresher. The problem with removing smoke odor from a car is that the residue often makes its way into areas that can’t easily be cleaned, like the HVAC vents and the foam of the headliner. Deep cleaning the moisture-sensitive and unreachable areas is where smoke odor elimination products come into the equation. After using a smoke odor eliminator, the car’s interior needs to be aired out before it’s safe to drive.