How to Get Weed Smell Out of Car
Do you want to be able to sell your car or avoid getting arrested?
Then learn how to get the scent of cannabis out of your car.
Smoking weed in a car is the best way to get arrested or not find a buyer when it is time to sell. The cops can smell it, and so can the buyer. No one wants to buy a car that smells of cannabis, and the person driving it is low-hanging fruit for the cops.
Anyone who wants to avoid this kind of trouble should read this article and take its advice to heart.
Table of Contents
Can Weed Smell and Cigarette Smoke be Removed from a Car?
Cannabis has one of the most pungent odors imaginable. What is worse is that its scent sticks around wherever it has been smoked or vaped, especially in the close confines of a car. Sometimes just having it in a car without smoking is enough to leave a scent.
Driving around in a car that stinks like weed is a very bad idea, not only because it stinks and drives away potential buyers but because doing so is illegal, even in states where cannabis is legal.
The police know how marijuana smells, and while in some states, they may not be able to nail someone for possession, they could nail that person for driving while under the influence.
The repercussions of that are the same as getting caught driving while drunk: fines, loss of driving privileges, etc.
Most importantly, doing so is dangerous because weed impacts your ability to drive. Someone who smokes while driving endangers himself and everyone else on the road.
Luckily, there are ways to get the odor out of a car before running into problems with anyone.
Cannabis has one of the most pungent odors imaginable. What is worse is that its scent sticks around wherever it has been smoked or vaped, especially in the close confines of a car. Sometimes just having it in a car without smoking is enough to leave a scent.
Driving around in a car that stinks like weed is a very bad idea, not only because it stinks and drives away potential buyers but because doing so is illegal, even in states where cannabis is legal.
The police know how marijuana smells, and while in some states, they may not be able to nail someone for possession, they could nail that person for driving while under the influence.
The repercussions of that are the same as getting caught driving while drunk: fines, loss of driving privileges, etc.
Most importantly, doing so is dangerous because weed impacts your ability to drive. Someone who smokes while driving endangers himself and everyone else on the road.
Luckily, there are ways to get the odor out of a car before running into problems with anyone.
How Long Does Smoke Smell Last in a Car?
The odor of tobacco smoke in a car can last for months, if not years. It mostly depends on how often the owner smokes while driving. If someone smokes several times a day in the car for an extended period, the odor may never disappear, even if a professional cleaning service is used.
As earlier stated, when trying to sell such a car, the buyer may not be interested. But even if the buyer is interested, he or she is likely to negotiate for a price significantly lower than the car’s blue book value.
The odor of tobacco smoke in a car can last for months, if not years. It mostly depends on how often the owner smokes while driving. If someone smokes several times a day in the car for an extended period, the odor may never disappear, even if a professional cleaning service is used.
As earlier stated, when trying to sell such a car, the buyer may not be interested. But even if the buyer is interested, he or she is likely to negotiate for a price significantly lower than the car’s blue book value.
How to Get the Weed Smell Out of Your Car?
No one should panic if his or her car smells like weed. There are numerous ways to mask or even get rid of the smell, no matter the situation or budget.
Masking the Smell
Masking a smell does not eliminate an odor; instead, it covers it up. Examples of masking a smell are applying cologne and perfume or having incense in a house. Fragrances cover up smells no longer than a few hours and will have to be used over and over again. Also, masking a smell is not likely to fool a cop or buyer.
Sprays
Sprays can work very well, depending on the kind of spray. There are sprays designed to remove smells, such as Ozium. This product is described below, and it is very effective.
Stash Box
Stash boxes can keep the smell out of a car, but they should be airtight. Wooden stash boxes may keep the cannabis somewhere safe, but it does not prevent the smell from leaking out and alerting a policeman and his dog. But even if a stash box is airtight, it is not a good idea to transport marijuana in a state where it is illegal.
Deep Cleaning
Another good idea is to hire a professional cleaning service to get rid of the smell. Cleaning services have a lot of experience getting bad smells out of cars. However, these services tend to be expensive and are not ideal for people on a limited budget.
Other Methods
There are other methods not listed here that could be effective. For example, airing out a car for a day or two is effective if the owner has seldom smoked in it. However, it may not be effective if it has been smoked on a regular basis.
No one should panic if his or her car smells like weed. There are numerous ways to mask or even get rid of the smell, no matter the situation or budget.
Masking the Smell
Masking a smell does not eliminate an odor; instead, it covers it up. Examples of masking a smell are applying cologne and perfume or having incense in a house. Fragrances cover up smells no longer than a few hours and will have to be used over and over again. Also, masking a smell is not likely to fool a cop or buyer.
Sprays
Sprays can work very well, depending on the kind of spray. There are sprays designed to remove smells, such as Ozium. This product is described below, and it is very effective.
Stash Box
Stash boxes can keep the smell out of a car, but they should be airtight. Wooden stash boxes may keep the cannabis somewhere safe, but it does not prevent the smell from leaking out and alerting a policeman and his dog. But even if a stash box is airtight, it is not a good idea to transport marijuana in a state where it is illegal.
Deep Cleaning
Another good idea is to hire a professional cleaning service to get rid of the smell. Cleaning services have a lot of experience getting bad smells out of cars. However, these services tend to be expensive and are not ideal for people on a limited budget.
Other Methods
There are other methods not listed here that could be effective. For example, airing out a car for a day or two is effective if the owner has seldom smoked in it. However, it may not be effective if it has been smoked on a regular basis.
Preventing Your Car from Smelling Like a Weed
The only way to prevent a car from smelling like weed is not to smoke in it in the first place. Yes, when driving with a group of friends, it is tempting to do so when one of them pulls out a joint. But doing so risks your life, the lives of other motorists, and trouble with the police.
A 2012 review determined that marijuana use doubles the risk of having an accident. Another review stated that the risk of an accident increases 10 to 60 percent when using cannabis while driving.
As for the cops, once the window is rolled down, the policeman will smell it and order everyone out of the car to conduct a search. Once the cop finds the joint, it is game over and off to jail, along with all the consequences mentioned earlier.
The only way to prevent a car from smelling like weed is not to smoke in it in the first place. Yes, when driving with a group of friends, it is tempting to do so when one of them pulls out a joint. But doing so risks your life, the lives of other motorists, and trouble with the police.
A 2012 review determined that marijuana use doubles the risk of having an accident. Another review stated that the risk of an accident increases 10 to 60 percent when using cannabis while driving.
As for the cops, once the window is rolled down, the policeman will smell it and order everyone out of the car to conduct a search. Once the cop finds the joint, it is game over and off to jail, along with all the consequences mentioned earlier.
How Do You Get Cigarette Smoke Odor Out of a Car?
- The first thing to do is remove everything from the car in addition to old cigarettes. That means getting rid of the trash, old clothes, or anything else in the vehicle that has an odor.
- The next step is to clean the interior. Open the windows to let in the fresh air, vacuum and shampoo the fabric, and wipe the hard surfaces down with a cleaning solution.
- Finally, clean the air intake system by opening the windows, turning on the air conditioner to the lowest setting, and spraying an odor neutralizer into the air intake system. Do this to the air conditioner on heating and cooling modes.
- The first thing to do is remove everything from the car in addition to old cigarettes. That means getting rid of the trash, old clothes, or anything else in the vehicle that has an odor.
- The next step is to clean the interior. Open the windows to let in the fresh air, vacuum and shampoo the fabric, and wipe the hard surfaces down with a cleaning solution.
- Finally, clean the air intake system by opening the windows, turning on the air conditioner to the lowest setting, and spraying an odor neutralizer into the air intake system. Do this to the air conditioner on heating and cooling modes.
How to Smoke and Vape in Your Car Without It Smelling
Take this friendly word of advice: don’t. As already said several times, smoking in a car will make it stink, and smoking while driving increases the risk of an accident or arrest. Smoke at home where the chances of an accident or problems with the police are far less likely.
Take this friendly word of advice: don’t. As already said several times, smoking in a car will make it stink, and smoking while driving increases the risk of an accident or arrest. Smoke at home where the chances of an accident or problems with the police are far less likely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Get Rid of the Smell After Hotboxing?
Hotboxing is when someone closes all the windows in a car or other enclosed space and starts smoking weed. Doing so in this fashion results in a more intense high, but it also causes the inside of the car to stink.
After hotboxing, air out the car for one to two days and spray down the fabric with Ozium. Once that time has elapsed, the bad scent should go away.
Is Ozium Safe to Use?
Ozium is an air freshener designed to remove smells from tobacco and bacteria. This product is an excellent choice for removing odors from a car because the particles attach themselves to the odorous particles.
Ozium is available in spray and gel forms. The spray is best used for removing weed smoke because the tobacco particles get everywhere. The gel is for removing smells coming from a specific area in the car.
How Long Does It Take for Ozium to Work?
Ozium works 10 to 20 minutes after it is applied.
Does Febreze Cover Weed Smell?
Febreze covers the smell of cannabis, but only for a short time. Using Ozium, another cleaning solution, or performing a deep cleaning of the car are the most effective ways of getting rid of lingering scents.
Does Vinegar Get Rid of the Smoke Smell in the Car?
A glass of white vinegar left in a car for one to two days can be effective at removing an unwanted odor from a car.
How Do I Get Rid of the Smell After Hotboxing?
Hotboxing is when someone closes all the windows in a car or other enclosed space and starts smoking weed. Doing so in this fashion results in a more intense high, but it also causes the inside of the car to stink.
After hotboxing, air out the car for one to two days and spray down the fabric with Ozium. Once that time has elapsed, the bad scent should go away.
Is Ozium Safe to Use?
Ozium is an air freshener designed to remove smells from tobacco and bacteria. This product is an excellent choice for removing odors from a car because the particles attach themselves to the odorous particles.
Ozium is available in spray and gel forms. The spray is best used for removing weed smoke because the tobacco particles get everywhere. The gel is for removing smells coming from a specific area in the car.
How Long Does It Take for Ozium to Work?
Ozium works 10 to 20 minutes after it is applied.
Does Febreze Cover Weed Smell?
Febreze covers the smell of cannabis, but only for a short time. Using Ozium, another cleaning solution, or performing a deep cleaning of the car are the most effective ways of getting rid of lingering scents.
Does Vinegar Get Rid of the Smoke Smell in the Car?
A glass of white vinegar left in a car for one to two days can be effective at removing an unwanted odor from a car.
Final Thoughts
Once again, it is essential to emphasize that one should never smoke or vape weed in a car. Not only does it stink, but it increases the likelihood of arrest or a serious accident, or death.
But even if a person has smoked in a car and is worried about the scent, there are ways to get it out. Just make sure not to do it again because the consequences could be minor, like not being able to sell the car, or severe.
If you have experience getting bad smells out of a car, we want to hear from you. Please tell us what you did to freshen up your vehicle.
Once again, it is essential to emphasize that one should never smoke or vape weed in a car. Not only does it stink, but it increases the likelihood of arrest or a serious accident, or death.
But even if a person has smoked in a car and is worried about the scent, there are ways to get it out. Just make sure not to do it again because the consequences could be minor, like not being able to sell the car, or severe.
If you have experience getting bad smells out of a car, we want to hear from you. Please tell us what you did to freshen up your vehicle.
Jeffrey Colon
June 21, 2018 at 7:48 amFrom my dogma, the nagging smell of cigarette smoke can make anybody anxious, including the smoker himself. Woefully, it’s a tough task to get rid of this annoying odor unmitigatedly. Normally, you repaint the walls to remove the bad odor from your room. However, this alternative does not exist when the snuff is present in your vehicle. Here, the author has discussed some quick hacks to remove the smoke smell from your car. I truly agree with the author. I just wanna say that apart from implementing these above cleaning clues, you can also vacuum and detail your vehicle’s interior taking the help of a tactful car professional to toss out that smoky smell.
Kat
June 2, 2018 at 6:51 pmMy tip: I had a bottle of milk spilled in my car I cleaned the mat but still being bothered by the smell. I found a kind of air freshener bag on Amazon, which is called Nano Mineral Crystal Activated Carbon, that does a lot of help to absorb the odors. It is a brown linen bag containing black activated charcoal balls, and the package came with a small cute pink heart shape card.
Dmplmp
April 12, 2018 at 11:32 pmGreat point Trish. And why are they using a picture that looks like its promoting cigarettes for this nature of an article???
trish weis
July 28, 2017 at 2:18 pmWhile this article presents important information about the dangers of 3rd hand smoke, it is misleading people to think those dangers can be removed from a car by following the cleaning & deodorizing steps outlined. The dangers of third hand smoke CANNOT be cleaned away- in a car, a home or anywhere else! Getting rid of the smell is not the same as getting rid of the toxins!
Marc
May 9, 2018 at 8:34 pmI fully agree with this. Getting rid of the smells doesn’t get rid of the toxins. In fact, some ways of getting rid of smells, by using other chemical products, compounds the problem IMO> This is a trick car dealers use and it’s deeply dishonest, especially towards those people who for health reasons like asthma can’t use a car that’s been smoked in.