It is no picnic for stoners to find a good place to smoke. Perhaps your roommate can't stand the odor, or you live in a non-smoking dorm or apartment. There are numerous reasons why smokers light up in their cars.
However, this can cause some problems. To begin with, your car is going to reek of weed after smoking in it. Furthermore, if you are caught smoking marijuana in your car, the law will undoubtedly have something to say about it. Whatever life circumstances led to you smoking in the car, the odor of marijuana will most likely linger for quite some time. While you may not mind the distinct cannabis odor, your friends, mother, or local law enforcement are likely to disagree! Never fear. We're here to help you get weed smell out of car, with varying degrees of intensity depending on how bad your problem is.
Why Does The Weed Smell Linger?
If you're familiar with cannabis jargon, you've probably heard the term "hotboxing." This is when a group of people smokes a joint or a blunt inside a car with the windows rolled up. As the joint/blunt is smoked, the car fills with smoke, and the passengers continue to breathe in weed smoke.
The flower is the part of the cannabis plant that you smoke, and it, like other types of flowers, is packed with terpenes that produce a strong odor (especially when burned). When you smoke marijuana in a small, confined space like your car, the odorous molecules become trapped in the air and surfaces.
It is much better to smoke weed in your car with the windows down to keep your car smelling clean. Your car, however, will continue to smell like weed. When it comes to transporting weed, even if it is sealed in a bag, you may end up in a stinky car.
How To Get Weed Smell Out Of Car?
Initial Steps to Reduce Weed Smell
Ventilation and Airing Out: The first step in tackling weed odor is to ventilate the car. Open all windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate. This initial airing out can help disperse some of the trapped smells.
Immediate Cleanup of Ash and Debris: If there are any remnants of marijuana, such as ashes or leftover buds, remove them immediately. Use a vacuum to clean up all debris, paying special attention to crevices and hidden areas where residue might accumulate.
Comprehensive Cleaning Strategies
Vacuuming Techniques: Begin by vacuuming the entire car interior, including seats, carpets, floor mats, and the trunk. Start from the top and work your way down to ensure you capture all falling dirt and particles. Don't forget to vacuum door panels, seat creases, and under the seats.
Cleaning Upholstery and Hard Surfaces: Use a high-quality interior cleaner suitable for your car's surfaces. For fabric seats and carpets, consider using an upholstery cleaner to remove embedded odors. For hard surfaces like the dashboard, console, and door panels, a mixture of mild soap and water or a specialized cleaner can be used. Pay extra attention to high-touch areas such as the steering wheel, gear shift, and control buttons.
Addressing the Trunk Area: The trunk can often be overlooked, but odors can linger here as well. Remove all items and vacuum the area thoroughly. Consider using an odor neutralizer or deodorizer to treat this space.
Targeting the HVAC System
The car's HVAC system can circulate weed smell throughout the vehicle if not properly cleaned. Here's how to address this:
Cleaning Vents and Ducts: Use a soft brush or a specialized tool to clean the air vents. For deeper cleaning, consider using compressed air to blow out any dust or particles that might be trapped inside the ducts.
Replacing Cabin Air Filters: The cabin air filter can trap odors and contaminants. Replace it regularly to ensure it does not continue to spread unwanted smells.
Using AC Cleaners and Sprays: There are specialized AC cleaners and sprays designed to eliminate odors from the HVAC system. These can be used to clean the evaporator and other components, ensuring the air circulating inside the car is fresh.
Advanced Odor Neutralization
DIY Solution: Vinegar, Baking Soda, and More
- White vinegar
White vinegar is a highly effective natural odor neutralizer. To use it in your car, you can place bowls of white vinegar inside the vehicle overnight. The vinegar will absorb and neutralize unpleasant odors, leaving your car smelling fresh by morning. Alternatively, you can create a vinegar solution by mixing equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Use this solution to wipe down the car's interior surfaces, such as the dashboard, seats, and door panels. The vinegar will help to eliminate odors embedded in these areas, providing a thorough and lasting freshness. Remember to ventilate the car afterward to allow any residual vinegar smell to dissipate.
- Baking Soda
Baking soda is a well-known effective odor absorber. Many people keep this in their fridge to keep it smelling nice and fresh. Open a box of baking soda and apply a thin layer to your seats and floors. Allow it to sit for up to 24 hours before vacuuming it out when you notice the weed smell has faded.
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Activated Charcoal
Using odor absorbers is another way to get rid of weed smell in your car. One of the most effective odor absorbers available is activated charcoal. It is commonly used to remove food, pet odors, trash, and weed scent. The negative charge of the carbon in charcoal attracts dissolved gas and toxins to its surface.
The charcoal is non-toxic and has no distinct odor. It can also prevent mold and bacteria growth and filter out allergens, which is a plus. Charcoal is also a very inexpensive option that is easy to find in stores or on the internet.
Odor Eliminators
To truly eliminate the odor of weed, a chemical reaction is required, which is where odor eliminator sprays come in handy. If none of the above options work for your vehicle, odor eliminators are one more option. Ozium Air Sanitizer is a popular car cleaner among stoners. This stuff is not to be taken lightly, and if you use it, you should wait several hours before getting back into your car. Inhaling the chemicals in this product is extremely dangerous.
Ozium is composed of strong chemicals such as triethylene glycol and propylene glycol. It works by attaching to airborne bacteria and eliminating it, purifying the air. However, be cautious when using products like Ozium, as they contain strong chemicals like triethylene glycol and propylene glycol. Ensure the car is well-ventilated and avoid direct inhalation.
Natural Odor Absorption Techniques
For those preferring natural solutions, several options can absorb and neutralize odors:
Activated Charcoal and Coffee Grounds: Both activated charcoal and coffee grounds are excellent at absorbing odors. Place them in small containers inside the car for a few days to help eliminate the smell. Activated charcoal is particularly effective due to its porous structure that traps odor molecules.
Essential Oils and Natural Air Fresheners: Essential oils like lavender or lemon can provide a pleasant scent and help mask residual odors. Use a few drops on cotton balls placed in the car or invest in a natural air freshener. You can also create your own masking fragrances by combining essential oils with water in a spray bottle. However, note that masking fragrances will only temporarily cover up the smell and do not eliminate it entirely.
Deep Cleaning Methods
Steam Cleaning for Upholstery and Carpets: Steam cleaning is a highly effective method for removing odors from fabric surfaces. The high temperature of the steam can penetrate deep into fibers, breaking down odors and stains.
Professional Detailing Services: If the smell persists despite your efforts, consider professional detailing. Experts have access to specialized equipment and products that can thoroughly clean and deodorize your vehicle.
Maintaining a Fresh-Smelling Car
Regular Cleaning Schedule: Establishing a regular cleaning routine helps prevent odors from settling in the first place. Vacuum frequently, wipe down surfaces, and clean upholstery as needed.
Preventative Measures and Best Practices: Avoid smoking inside the car, and keep windows open if someone must smoke. Use air fresheners regularly and replace cabin filters as part of routine maintenance. Additionally, consider eating strong-smelling foods, like chicken tikka masala or shrimp pad thai, in the car, as these can temporarily mask the odor of weed.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
The Pitfalls of Masking Odors: Merely masking odors with air fresheners or sprays can make the problem worse over time. It's essential to eliminate the source of the odor.
Ensuring Thorough Cleaning of Hidden Areas: Odors can linger in hidden or overlooked areas like under seats, in the trunk, or within the HVAC system. A thorough cleaning approach ensures all sources are addressed.
Final Thoughts
In addition to not smoking in it at all, the best way to get rid of the weed smell in your car is to stay on top of the problem. Don't let the odor accumulate session after session until you have a severe stench on your hands. Smoke loves to linger in fabrics, especially in your car's upholstery. To entirely eliminate the pungent smoke smell in your car, use an odor-eliminating product, as traditional air fresheners will only mask the scent.
The next time you plan to smoke in your car, consider using a vaporizer. Vaporizers emit almost no odor and are better for your lungs than smoking a joint or blunt.
There are numerous discreet and simple-to-use portable vaporizers on the market. Smoking marijuana in a car can draw unwanted attention, whereas a sleek vape pen will appear less suspicious.
