How to get rid of a smell in your vehicle if all else fails. "We don't want the funk."

Been dealing with a faint stale smoke smell in my Tacoma the past year when temps are above 70, not horrible, but always there. Of course the dealer hid it well, and it didnt appear for over a month.

I detailed the car several times since, cleaned the carpet an upholstery, replaced the floormats, tried air fresheners, vinegar, lemons, baking soda. Smell still there.

I read a detailer post on TacomaWorld about ozonators for this issue, and finally broke down and bought one. I bought a refurb enerzen on ebay for $50. Strong recommend.

FINALLY. The smell is gone. I am thrilled. If you have a smell you just cant shake, buy or rent an ozonator.

How I did it. 30 mins run time. 30 minutes sitting with windows closed, 30 mins airing out. All while unoccupied.

There are precautions to using ozone, the most important of which is not breathing it in, eg the reason to air it out. It says right on the device not to use it in occupied spaces.

Most people say ozone lasts 30 mins, but some biochem sites say this is incorrect, half life is 25 hours at 70 degrees, which is why you have to allow it out of your vehicle.

Watch the following 2 videos, then decide if using an ozonator is right for you. Worked perfect for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3ma3gxPdoE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8FYXEHFhqI

 

Another good trick I learned from an old lady that owned a truck stop -

Ground coffee in perforated bags, place one under each seat .. replace daily or every other day until the smell is gone.

 

A dollop of Vicks Vapo Rub under your nose helps when dragging decomposing corpses around. You can always go that route!

 

Feed a bunch of fat dudes beans, broccoli, and hard boiled eggs and then go on a road trip with them with the windows locked and the heater on.

 

A couple jars of these pickled quail eggs and a side of Kimchi do the trick

 

I didn't realize they made 2ft extension cords in the first video......

 

I have an older crown vic as my work car, it got flooded and well they weren’t gonna fix it. So I wet vacuumed it, oxy/ baking soda, wet vacuumed again then literally poured 2 gallons of vinegar in it. Let that soak in wet vacuumed again. Smell all gone, no odor at all.

 

Bamboo charcoal. You can buy it on Amazon for under $20. Absorbs all odors and uses UV rays from the sun to recharge every few months. Used it for years with great results!