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Air fresheners for cigarette smoke in cars can be used to eliminate the smell of tobacco and other lingering odors.

Benefits of an air freshener for cigarette smoke in a car:

• An air freshener can help eliminate the smell of cigarette smoke in your vehicle;
• If you use an aerosol product, it will fill up the interior with fresh scents and neutralize odors;
• Plug-in or gel products are great for continuous odor elimination without worrying about batteries running out;
• Safe to use around kids as it is free of harsh chemicals;
• Perfect size with long lasting scent that lasts weeks without having to replace cartridge;

No one enjoys the smell of cigarette smoke in a vehicle, but it is a common problem for people who have smoking friends. The only option to get rid of that unpleasant odor is with an air freshener in your car. However, which one should you choose? This guide will answer some common questions about the best air fresheners and give reviews on 5 different products as well as providing useful tips to make sure they work properly.

Moso Natural The Original Air Purifying Bag – the Editor’s choice!

The Moso Natural Air Purifying Bag is a natural bamboo charcoal bag that absorbs odors, harmful pollutants and moisture. It eliminates odors without masking them with fragrances or harsh chemicals. These bags are easy to use for any area of your home or office: just hang, leave it to work its magic then remove the charcoal so you can reuse again.

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It’s 100% fragrance-free and chemical-free! The bag can cover up to 90 sq. ft. Tied with a metal grommet; it can be hung for easy use without mess.

With these clever bamboo bags, there’s an easy solution for clean smelling homes without all the harmful chemicals normally associated with fragrances or other odor eliminators.

Meguiar’s G16402 Whole Car Air Refresher – the best for any car vent system!

Get that new car smell in your ride without even buying a new car! This Meguiar’s Whole Car Air Refresher will refresh and revitalize the inside of just about anything with an air vent. Just spray into each vent for ten minutes, and enjoy the wonderful smell of clean freshness.

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Tips for users: spray this aerosol into your vents and let it cycle through for ten minutes while on the highway to make sure every inch of your vehicle gets rid of that dirty smell.

Re-create the smell and fresh vibes of a just-driven new car with Meguiar’s G16402 Whole Car Air Refresher. Leave behind musty odors in your old clunker by sending an aromatic blast from this 2-ounce aerosol can.

PURGGO Car Air Freshener – the best for eco-friendly odor removal!

This Purggo air freshener eliminates unwanted odors by trapping airborne particles on its porous surface. All of these products are fragrance-free, and contain 100% activated bamboo charcoal. Also, it lasts for 365 days (the least), works fast, and has a non-spicy fragrance free deodorizer.

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It’s convenient too: you just hang it on your mirror or dashboard and let your bad breath go undetected because who wants to be stranded in traffic next to someone who smells like old gym clothes when there is a fresh batch out of the oven!

This innovative product helps eliminate unwanted scents so you can breathe easier in an environment with no chemicals.

SNP Charcoal Bags Odor Absorber – the best for versatile use!

No matter if you are a pet owner or live in a busy family setting, our activated bamboo charcoal bag is the best way to keep your surroundings clean and fresh at all times. You may use it in closets, bedrooms, offices and cars for immediate relief. They can be great for use as an air purifier to get rid of unpleasant odors.

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This natural remedy can eliminate unwanted smells effectively so that you can enjoy the smell of life without enduring offensive scents that make you want to gag.

Breathe freely in a clean environment near you with SNP charcoal bags that are long lasting for 2 years.

Keep your home or car smelling fresh and neat with SNP Charcoal bags. With activated bamboo charcoal, these odor absorbers are great for pets too – make their place smell lovely!

Vitscan Store Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifying Bag – the best quantity!

This air freshener bag is worth buying as it helps you to remove smoke smells, pet odors, and unpleasant cooking smells in minutes.

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It is made by using high-quality activated bamboo charcoal adsorption capacity three times stronger than ordinary carbon products, so your house will be aired out and good smelling without that harsh chemical smell of most other deodorizers. The result is super effective bags that last a long time.

For a decent price, you may get not 2 or 4 but 8 packs of bamboo charcoal air purifying bags.

When you’re really committed to purifying the air, eight Vitscan Store bamboo charcoal air freshener bags are a natural choice.

The Buyer’s Guide

Main Features

The best air fresheners for cigarette smoke in cars will be the ones that are designed to neutralize and remove any traces of odors. There are many different products on the market, but a few stand out from others due to their effectiveness when it comes down to removing bad smells:

Budget

Air fresheners range in price from $0.99 to $30 depending on the size and features of the product, but generally speaking they’re affordable enough not to break your bank account just because it’s meant for car use. You need to keep in mind that some products have certain requirements before purchasing them like having vents or plugging into your lighter outlet (more about this below).

The vent type in your car

A common question people ask themselves when looking at different types of air fresheners/deodorizers are “will this  product work in your car?” The answer is usually yes, but it depends on the type of vehicle you have. Some vehicles will require vent clips or an outlet plug-in to make sure that they’re getting sufficient airflow and power for their product to work as intended.

Car air fresheners are also designed with specific types of vehicle conditions in mind. For example, if you have a newer or higher-quality car that has an ionizer installed for deodorizing the cabin during long trips, then using just a standard air freshener will be less effective because they’re specifically designed to work on cars without this feature (such as older models). 

Odor

This will depend on what type of freshener/deodorizer you’re using. Some products are specifically designed for cigarette smoke, while others have multiple scents to choose from or can be used as a car air filter (more about this below). The point is that there’s something out there for everyone and fortunately many stores now offer free samples so you could try before buying.

Size

It is important to take into account the size of your vehicle as well as how many people you typically have in it. If you are looking for a product that will cover both permanent and occasional odors, then go with one designed for larger vehicles.

Also, when buying an air freshener for a new model, make sure it’s actually made by the same company as your auto manufacturer so you know it’ll fit correctly. If not, choose wisely because there can be some compatibility problems between these two items – especially if you purchase one made by a different company.

Types of Car Air Fresheners

Car air fresheners come in many different shapes, sizes and fragrances. There are sprays, plug-in or electric diffusers, candles and gel packs that can be placed under the seats to remove odors from your car’s interior. The best ones for cigarette smoke have an “Odor Lock” technology that is usually combined with a fragrance of some sort (e.g. cinnamon).

There are 3 types:

• Spritz-type freshener – perfect for larger vehicles like SUVs where you want to evenly distribute it throughout your vehicle; 
• Plug-in type freshener – this one plugs into your lighter socket so no need to find space in the power outlet to charge or use batteries; 
• Gel-pack type freshener – this one is placed under the seats and slowly releases a fragrance into your car;

The plug-in air fresheners are great for most vehicles but not recommended for small cars or trucks where there might be space limits in the power outlets, while the gel packs work better with larger vehicles that have more open spaces like SUVs. 

Odor Lock technology should take care of cigarette smoke odors quickly if you use it together with a fragrant scent such as cinnamon which has been shown to help remove tobacco smells effectively due to its properties as an antimicrobial agent. You can also add some spices around your steering wheel area by using containers so they release their aromas when heated up from being in the car.

This type of air freshener can be sprayed in between trips to keep your vehicle smelling fresh and clean, but they are also not as powerful at removing odors like cigarette smoke as other types that use plug-in or gel packs technology. 

If you don’t want any fragrance then a good choice is this one which uses natural enzymes to break down tobacco residue for an all-natural solution.

There are also odor-removing and air-freshening products:

• Fresheners mask odors by releasing scents to cover up other smells;
• Removers actually remove and encapsulate smoke particles so they can’t escape into other parts of your vehicle, like curtains or carpeting;

Both types are good options depending on what you’re looking for. Fresheners can be used in homes with pets too! Removers could not only help get rid of cigarette smell but also pet odors as well;

FAQ

How do you get rid of cigarette smoke in a car?

To get rid of cigarette smoke in a car, the most popular and effective method is to use an air purifier. Air purifiers work by absorbing airborne particles such as dust, pollen, pet dander, etc., that can cause bad odors or allergies. In addition, they remove harmful substances like bacteria from the air too.

To make sure your car air freshener is working properly, you should follow some simple tips: 

• If the smell of cigarettes lingers in a vehicle before using an air freshener, it’s time to clean up that mess and remove any lingering odors;
• When installing new fragrances or refilling old ones be sure to keep them at least 12 inches from vents so they can disperse into the cabin without causing lint buildup on filters and making it difficult for other passengers to breathe;
• Remember venting – if your car gets stuffy with too much fragrance use a window crack feature instead of running the AC full blast which will also save gas mileage;

If there are any objects in your vehicle that have an odor or may emit smells from time to time (including pets), these should be removed before using a cigarette smoke air freshener. This ensures an unobstructed dispersion of fragrance throughout the cabin space. Regardless if they’re fabric, carpeted, metal, plastic etc., experts recommend taking them out of the car while treatment is active so nothing absorbs residual fragrance left on surfaces by products after treatment.

How long does cigarette smell stay in a car?

Cigarette smoke, like many other scents in a car or home, can linger for months. However, the actual time it takes to dissipate from inside your vehicle will depend on how often you drive and whether you’re driving with windows down or not (which will help release the scent). 

Can you get a smoke smell out of a car with leather seats?

Yes, you can. Leather is made of animal skin and it has a relatively porous nature that makes it difficult to clean out things that have been absorbed into the leather. The best way to remove odors from car seats is by using an enzymatic cleaner such as those found in Odoban Carpet & Room Air Freshener (30 oz) or Febreze Fabric Refresher with Gain Original Scent. These cleaners work by breaking down odor-causing molecules on contact without leaving any chemical residue behind so they are safe for all types of fabrics including leather.

If this is not possible then regular household products like baking soda should be used after vacuuming up dirt particles and other harmful substances that may contribute to the smell. Scrubbing baking soda into a car seat with water and a cloth may also be used, but should be followed up by vacuuming to help remove any residue left behind after scrubbing off the dirt particles from your seats.

If these methods are not possible, then using an air freshener spray or plug-in diffuser is necessary because it will mask unpleasant smells until they can be removed later on.

How can you smoke a cigarette without it smelling?

The best way to smoke a cigarette without it smelling is by using an air purifier. You can also place scented candles near the car’s ventilation system or use aromatherapy diffusers with essential oils like lavender and peppermint. There are also some new products that work great for eliminating the smell of cigarettes from car interiors so you don’t have to worry about offending others when you drive them around in your vehicle.

What is the fastest way to get rid of cigarette smell in a car?

The fastest way to get rid of cigarette smell in a car is with an enzyme air freshener. The enzymes will actually break down the smoke and remove it quickly, leaving behind a pleasant scent that may remind you more of flowers than cigarettes.

There are three main types:

• Spray cans. These are the easiest to apply and use. They can be sprayed upholstery, under cushions, in between seats and on carpets. If you want something a little more hands-on though then consider one of our vent clips below. Spray cans also offer limited scent variety so if you’re looking for something different it might be worth investing in a hanging air freshening bag instead;
• Hanging air freshener bags. Often shaped like little trees, these bags come with strings that attach to your car’s AC vents that disperse an odorless mist throughout the cabin when they get plugged into power outlets. Hang them near or over seating areas where cigarette odors tend to linger (under armrests, in the back seats, etc.) and when they start to fade just simply replace them. They don’t have much variety for scents but some people prefer this over aerosol cans full of chemicals that can irritate allergies or asthma;
• Vent clips. These clips are shaped like little trees with a clip on one end so you can attach it anywhere AC vents/fan blades exist (under seat cushions, behind headrests, under armrest). The scent will disperse through all areas of your car as soon as power is applied;

Many different types of air fresheners can provide some relief from tobacco smells – sprays, oils, wipes, gels and scented discs. All of them have their strengths depending on your needs and preferences. The most common type is an aerosolized spray that comes as either a mist-type product designed to cover large areas quickly or an odorless solid (aka “deodorizer”) that neutralizes odors through chemical reactions with molecules in the air instead of masking them.

Do car air fresheners work?

The short answer is yes. The more appropriate question would be how well car air fresheners work. Car air fresheners are designed to remove the odor in a space, but they can’t do it alone. They need help from other factors as well like temperature and airflow patterns in your vehicle. 

Air fresheners do work, but they are not designed to be an all-purpose solution for getting rid of smoke smell in a car. They should only be considered as added protection against any lingering odors from cigarettes and other smoking materials that might otherwise linger after you have smoked or been around someone who has smoked recently.

In order to reduce the amount of time it takes for odor molecules to react with air freshener ingredients and leave the vehicle, use your exhaust fan on recirculate mode so that these particles get pulled into your interior cabin space instead of being blown out onto those walking by outside. This will also help you avoid pumping pollutants back into your environment while driving. Additionally, open windows when possible to allow fresh air to replace the old.

Air fresheners work best on top of objects, and should not be sprayed onto fabrics or upholstery because the fragrance will become trapped in these materials without being able to escape for a long time.

For instance, if you only have one or two days of cigarette smoke smell lingering around your seats and then switch back to non-smoking for weeks at a time, odds are that there will still be some residual scent left after those three months because it’s not being removed by anything else (i.e., 100% humidity). This means that even with an effective car air freshener, the best way to get rid of nicotine odors is to keep your car clean of all debris and smoke after smoking in it.

I won’t get tired to repeat – the surrounding people should not suffer from your habit, even if you find this habit totally ok. Having a strong tobacco residue in a car or house is never a good idea unless you are a lone wolf. So, catch my new list of the best air fresheners that will save you from the specific odor left after smoking.

• My requirements for air fresheners:
• The efficiency rate on the spot;
• Covered area;
• The longevity of action;

Taking into account the above-mentioned options, also make sure the efficacy rate – how many times per 60 minutes the picked unit can filter the surrounding area. The standard level is no less than 6 times per hour.

Pay attention to the CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) parameter – it helps to measure the fresh air a single unit is capable to deliver. Aim for the units that may filter about 2/3 of the room within 1 hour. For instance, if your room’s area is 100 square feet, a freshener should have a CADR no less than 67 square feet.

Major types of air fresheners:

• Electronic air cleaners are stand-alone units or attachments to heating/cooling systems;
• Ionizers are less expensive but don’t have a collection plate;
• Mechanical air filters come with 100% activated charcoal;

Top 3 of air fresheners to eliminate smoke, according to SmokeProfy:

• MOSO NATURAL – based on the activated charcoal, without any distinctive fragrance, safe for pets and kids;
• Meguiar’s – a new scent replaces smoke, one-time-use aerosol, cheap;
• PURGGO – has no chemicals, durable for over a year, safe for any household;

Did you find this guide useful? Please leave comments and subscribe to support SmokeProfy’s new updates! Much appreciated!

Video Tutorial: Moso Natural Air Purifying Bag Introduction

Final thoughts 

Air fresheners are a great way to make your car smell better and keep it smelling good for longer. Hopefully, this guide helped you find the perfect air freshener to eliminate cigarette smoke in your car.