For those who aren't in the habit of lighting a cigarette or two while on the road, the smell of smoke is one of the worst odors to have inside a car. It's generally difficult to purge the smell from a vehicle. Don't worry, as we will cover ozone generators and how they can help remove that stubborn smoke smell inside your car based on our research.
Renting an ozone generator is the way to go if you want to rid your car of the odor of smoke. You should rent one that works with a hose.
Start by cleaning the interior of your car and then closing all doors and windows. Attach the hose to the generator, insert the hose into one of the windows (you will need to seal up this window), and let it run. After the treatment, open all windows and doors to air out the car.
In this article, we will discuss the benefits of ozone treatment and when is the best time to use it in your car. On top of that, we will talk about how expensive an ozone treatment is and if it's safe to own an ozone generator for personal use. So continue reading to find out more.
How To Remove Smoke Smell From Car Using An Ozone Generator?
As you read earlier, using an ozone generator is fairly simple. Renting one is easy and cheap as well. So is there anything important for you to remember when using an ozone generator to remove the smoke smell from inside your car?
For starters, only use an ozone generator in an open area that's free from people and animals. Ozone in itself is toxic to humans and animals, just as it is to bacteria and other microbes.
Be sure to wear safety goggles and a respiratory mask when using one, just to be on the safe side.
1. Clean the interior of your car.
Removing the bulk of smells shortens the time you need to use the ozone generator and makes it more efficient.
Get everything out of your car. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to suck up as much of the foul smell as possible before scrubbing the interior down with a chemical solution.
2. Shut windows and doors and insert the generator hose.
Close all windows and doors on your car, but keep one window open so that the generator's hose can be inserted. Leaving a space for the hose, cover the opening in that window.
You can use tape and cardboard to cover the opening so that the ozone is trapped inside.
3. Turn the ozone generator on.
Turn the generator on and let the ozone blow into the car through the window via the hose. Let the machine run for 30 minutes to two hours, depending on how strong the smell is inside your car.
Make sure no people or pets are inside the car during this process.
4. Open all doors and windows to let the car air out.
It can take up to four days for the car to fully air out after treatment. If the smoke smell still lingers, repeat the process until you achieved the desired result.
5. Clean the interior again.
Wipe down the inside of the car. Then use the vacuum again to remove any lingering ozone smell.
What Is Ozone Treatment?
As you already know, ozone treatment is the process by which you use ozone to remove bad smells, bacteria, and other microbes.
Ozone itself is a powerful sterilant that breaks down unwanted molecules through the process of oxidation. This is why it's so effective when removing bad smells.
Because ozone is a gas, it can reach places that other products or solutions can't. It can enter through vents and go underneath the upholstery of your car. All those nooks and crannies that vacuums and similar device can't reach, ozone can.
When To Use Ozone Treatment?
Anytime you encounter troublesome odors like smoke or mildew is a good time to use ozone treatment.
Before you do so, you should thoroughly clean your car. This is to remove the sources of those smells and prevent them from coming back.
For smells causes by mold and mildew, it's best to take care of any dampness inside the car before undergoing ozone treatment. The same goes for smoke odors on the seats and carpets.
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What Are The Benefits Of Ozone Treatment?
The most obvious benefit is the removal of stubborn smells like smoke. That's because ozone treatment doesn't filter or mask smells. Instead, it breaks down the molecules that are the cause of the smell.
Plus, it works on any kind of smell. Name it, and an ozone treatment will effectively neutralize that smell.
Another benefit of using ozone treatment is the fact that microbes can't hide from it. Ozone will seek out and destroy these microbes no matter how difficult they are to reach.
Last but not least, ozone treatment will leave your car smelling fresh and clean.
How Expensive Is Ozone Treatment?
Given how easy it is to use an ozone generator and its numerous benefits, you might think that ozone treatment is expensive. However, that's not the case.
If you plan on buying an ozone generator, it costs between $80 and $500. You should only need an average-sized one for home use. That will only set you back at around $100.
If you don't want to buy one, there's always the option of going to an auto shop that offers an ozone treatment service. The price starts at around $40 and goes up, depending on how long the treatment lasts.
So if your car has a stubborn, lingering smell, expect to pay a little bit more but not enough to bleed your wallet dry.
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Is It Safe To Own An Ozone Generator?
It's generally safe to own an ozone generator at home. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not cleared it for indoor use yet. If you plan to use one, you should only do so in large, open spaces and not inside your house.
As we mentioned earlier in this article, ozone is harmful to both humans and animals. If you breathe in ozone, the same chemical reaction that destroys bacteria and other microbes will happen inside your body.
This could lead to irritation in your respiratory tract, sudden coughs, and difficulty in breathing.
If you want to remove bad smells inside your home, there are other ways to it. Baking soda and cat litter are examples of products that can help with odor removal. Several chemical solutions are also available that are just as effective.
While these products are not as potent and effective as an ozone generator, they are much safer. So refrain from using an ozone generator indoors to avoid harming you and your loved ones.
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Are There Other Options For Removing Smoke Smell?
Baking soda is a good alternative when trying to remove the smell of smoke inside your car. Start by using a vacuum to suck up most of the smell and microbes in the air.
Then sprinkle baking soda all over the flooring of your car and on places where the scent of the smell is strong.
Leave the baking soda inside your car for a few minutes before vacuuming it clean. It should absorb most of the smell.
If that wasn't enough, you can leave a box of opened baking soda inside your car overnight. This will help absorb more of the smoke smell.
If the smoke smell still lingers, then steam cleaning the interior of your car is another option. You can either rent the necessary equipment needed or call a professional cleaning service.
Another option is using an air purifier. Although less effective and not as reliable, it works for smells that aren't too intense. The same goes for some chemical solutions on the market, like an odor removal spray.
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To Wrap Up
Using an ozone generator is the best way to remove stubborn smells from inside your car. If you don't want to use one yourself, many auto shops offer an ozone treatment service. It's a relatively easy and cheap option for dealing with smoke smells.
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