Chicago’s Smoke Odor Removal Experts
An effective cleaning process to reduce and eliminate the lingering smoke odor in your interior
Reduce and Eliminate The Odor
Getting rid of smoke odor from your vehicle’s interior is no easy task. It’s not just a standard interior deep cleaning. Nicotine and tobacco residue can embed itself deep into fabric surfaces, settling into areas you can’t even see.
The level of success in removing smoke odor depends on two main factors: How long the vehicle has been smoked in and how heavily it was smoked in.
The longer and more frequently smoking has occurred, the more challenging it is to eliminate the smell entirely. In extreme cases, where years of smoking have left heavy buildup, achieving 100% removal is unlikely. In these situations, while we can significantly reduce the odor, fully eliminating it may require replacing materials like the headliner, carpeting, or floor mats.
Comprehensive Deep Cleaning for Long-Term Results
Removing smoke odor isn’t a quick fix. Unlike our standard deep cleaning, this process requires one to two days to ensure thorough treatment.
We don’t just cover up odors with air fresheners or perfumes. Instead, we target and eliminate the layers of nicotine and tobacco residue left behind by smoke. Our goal is to ensure the odor doesn’t return once your vehicle is back in your hands.
With years of experience tackling even the toughest smoke-affected interiors, we’re confident in our approach. We can inspect your car and give you recommendations on what we can do to resolve the odor issue.
Most detailers in Chicago don’t specialize in true smoke odor removal. Simply shampooing or steaming won’t be enough for long-term results. The main focus should be to remove the source of the smell, which means removing as much of the nicotine residue as possible from every square inch of the interior.
One thing that must be done is to replace your cabin air filter. Even after a full odor removal treatment, if you don’t replace your cabin air filter, smoke odor trapped inside will circulate back into your interior once you turn on the AC. We highly recommend swapping it out to maximize the effectiveness of the service.
No worries, we handle this part of the process for you. Most vehicles are easily changeable but this does heavily depend on the vehicle. For instance, a Ford F150 is much easier to replace than a BMW.
Our Proven Smoke Odor Removal Process
The smoke odor removal can take up to two days simply due to the amount of work that’s required. While it’s a six-step process, a large portion of time is spent allowing the ozone treatment to run and fully air out before we inspect the results.
Step 1: Thorough Vacuum
All surfaces, including carpets, seats, floor mats, and the headliner, are thoroughly vacuumed to remove loose debris and to remove any nicotine or smoke residue. Even if the interior is completely clean, we make sure this step is done thoroughly.
Step 2: Cleaning Plastic and Leather Surfaces
We apply a specialized smoke odor cleaner to remove residue from plastics, leather, and rubber surfaces—even in hard-to-reach areas. We make sure to clean what you don’t see because residue can be stuck there, too.
Step 3: Shampoo Fabric Surfaces
Using a hot water extractor and a tobacco-specific cleaning agent, we deep clean seats, carpets, floor mats, seat belts, and (when possible) the headliner.
Step 4: Clean Windows and Mirrors
Have you noticed your glass or windows look very foggy or like there’s a layer of fog on it? That’s most likely the smoke residue.Every interior glass surface is cleaned to remove nicotine buildup and leave a streak-free finish.
Step 5: Allow Interior to Dry
The interior must be completely dry before moving forward to the Ozone phase. We place air movers to speed up the drying process. In this step, we’re simply giving it time to be bone dry before proceeding to the next step.
Step 6: Ozone Treatment
We use a commercial-grade ozone machine to neutralize lingering smoke odors. This treatment runs for 2–5 hours, and we repeat as necessary until we achieve the best results.
The level of cleaning we do is highly dependent on the overall condition of your interior. If you recently purchased a used vehicle that has a very light lingering smoke odor to it, the cleaning process will be rather simple. However, if you compare that to a company work truck that’s been smoked in for years and it’s really dirty, the cleaning process will be much more comprehensive and require a lot more time and effort.
Due to the in-depth nature of this service, we require the vehicle to be dropped off for at least one full day with us.
Smoke Odor Removal Pricing
The cost depends on the size, condition, and severity of the odor. The service includes:
- Complete interior deep cleaning
- Cabin air filter replacement
- Multiple ozone treatments
- Significant smoke odor reduction
Price starts at $
Smoke Odor Removal FAQs
In most cases, removing seats isn’t necessary. Our machines, cleaners, and brushes allow us to reach tight spaces without disassembly.
The level of success depends on the severity of the odor. We strive to remove as much as possible, but in extreme cases, total elimination may require replacing certain fabrics. We’ll assess the interior and give you an honest estimate of the results we can produce.
No. Due to the intensive nature of the process, all smoke odor removal services must be performed at our home-garage. The outdoor environment (heat, humidity, and airborne debris) makes it difficult to achieve the best results on-site.
We use specialized smoke odor removal products and equipment, not just generic degreasers or steam cleaners. Each step in our process is designed for long-lasting results.
No! We allow enough time for the vehicle to air out completely before returning it to you. Additionally, we use multiple air movers to speed up this process.
While we use professional-grade tools and cleaning products, some stains, especially older ones, may only be partially removed. We’ll always do our best to achieve the best possible results.
Premium Interior & Exterior Detailing Services
We offer a wide range of detailing services to keep your vehicle in top condition! Here’s a list of what we offer:
Paint Correction: Want to restore your car’s shine and eliminate imperfections? This service removes swirls, scratches, and oxidation with machine polishing. This brings out a deep, mirror-like gloss to your paint.
Ceramic Coating: Need long-lasting paint protection against Chicago’s harsh weather? Unlike wax that fades in months, our ceramic coating offers years of durability, shielding your car’s paint from the elements while enhancing its shine.
Headlight Restoration: Cloudy, foggy headlights don’t just dull your car’s look—they can reduce visibility at night and during inclement weather. Our restoration service clears up oxidation and haze, improving safety and giving your headlights a like-new appearance.
Exterior Detailing: Looking for a fast yet thorough way to enhance your car’s exterior? Our process includes a hand wash, clay bar treatment for a smooth finish, and a high-quality sealant to protect and shine your paint for months.
Engine Bay Cleaning: Don’t overlook your engine bay! We safely remove built-up grime and debris, restoring it to a clean, well-maintained state—perfect for routine upkeep or prepping your car for resale.
Mini-Interior Detail: To keep up with your interior and not let it get out of hand, our maintenance cleaning is perfect for you. We’ll vacuum do cabin and do a light wipe down of the dust. No heavy stain or grime removal is in this service.
We’re also a mobile-based detailing company so we come directly to you. We service areas like Chicago, Glenview, Northbrook, Wilmette, Winnetka, and more.