Get Rid Of Cigarette Smell From Your Camper Easily

If you're looking to get rid of cigarette smoke in your camper, there are several methods you can try. First, ensure you ventilate the vehicle and use air fresheners or dryer sheets to mask the odours. Next, air out the cushions, wash the bedding, air out the mattresses, scrub the rugs, wipe off all the furniture, and clean the windows. You can also try using a few drops of tea tree oil on a warm damp rag to scrub the smoky surfaces in your camper. Another option is to use baking soda and essential oils to eliminate odours from soft surfaces. For hard surfaces, such as vinyl, you can use a mixture of white vinegar, washing soda, and ammonia, or try a store-bought spray. To prevent smoke from stinking up your camper in the future, ensure proper ventilation and avoid parking near campfires or smoking areas.

Ventilate the camper

Ventilating your camper is the first step to getting rid of cigarette smoke odours. Start by opening all the windows, vents, and doors to allow fresh air to circulate throughout the vehicle. If possible, keep the camper ventilated overnight, as this will give the best results. Even if the smell doesn't disappear completely, it will be significantly reduced and more tolerable.

If you're able to remove any soft furnishings, such as cushions, pillows, mattresses, and curtains, do so and place them outside to air out. For items that can't be removed, such as rugs and vinyl surfaces, sprinkle baking soda over them and leave for at least an hour before vacuuming. For rugs, you can also add a few drops of essential oil, such as lemon, eucalyptus, or lavender, to the baking soda to boost the fresh scent.

While ventilating the camper, you can also use air fresheners or dryer sheets to help mask the cigarette odour. Wax melts are another option, providing a variety of scents without the need for a flame. However, it's important to never leave wax melts unattended and unplugged while in use, and to avoid driving the camper with them active.

In addition to ventilating the camper, you can also try using natural remedies such as charcoal, coffee grounds, or citrus peels. Place these inside the camper overnight to help absorb and neutralise cigarette odours.

Wash fabric items

To get cigarette smoke out of fabric items in your camper, you will need to wash them. Start by removing the fabric items from your camper, such as curtains, cushion covers, pillows, bedding, and mattresses. If the fabric items are machine washable, launder them using the washing machine. Use a high temperature, as hot water is more effective at removing stains and odours than cold water. However, do not expose the fabric items to hot water for too long, as it may cause shrinkage over time. Be sure to rinse with cold water to reduce the likelihood of shrinkage.

Add laundry detergent to your wash, and consider adding scent booster beads to the water for a concentrated solution. You can also add essential oils, such as pine, lemongrass, eucalyptus, lavender, sage, peppermint, or rosemary, to the wash. These oils will eliminate the campfire smoke odour from your fabric items.

If you are handwashing your fabric items, fill a basin with hot water and add your detergent and essential oils. Soak your fabric items in the basin and then wash them using your chosen method.

If you are using a washing machine, place half to a full cup of baking soda in the washer during the rinse cycle. Adding baking soda will help eliminate the campfire smoke odour from your fabric items. You can also add half a cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle to remove the smoke smell. If you are handwashing, refill your basin with cold water and mix in half a cup of vinegar.

Once your fabric items are washed, hang them outside to dry, rather than using a dryer. Commercial dryers can sometimes trap in smoke smells, and hanging your items outside will reduce the likelihood of shrinkage.

Clean hard surfaces

To get cigarette smoke out of the hard surfaces in your camper van, you'll need to scrub everything down with a disinfectant or a dedicated interior cleaner. You can use a natural remedy like charcoal, coffee grounds, or citrus peels, or a commercial product like Turtle Wax or Meguiar's. Just be sure to choose something that promises residue-free cleaning so that you don't leave a white haze behind.

Start by cleaning the air vents. You can do this with compressed air or a steam cleaner, or by wiping the vents down with disinfectant wipes or interior detailing wipes.

Next, clean the hard surfaces, such as the dashboard, windows, steering wheel, shifter, center console, and rearview mirror. Use a cleaning product with degreasing properties to remove the film that smoke leaves behind.

If your camper has vinyl surfaces, you can try a store-bought spray like Rejuvenate Leather & Vinyl Cleaner, or a mixture of ¼ cup of white vinegar, ¼ cup of washing soda, and ½ cup of ammonia in one gallon of warm water. Wipe the surface with a sponge, then use a dry rag to remove the moisture. Repeat if necessary.

For wooden furniture, use a citrus-based wood cleaner or wash all surfaces with warm water and a product like Murphy Oil Soap.

Finally, if your camper has appliances that smell of smoke, you'll need to use store-bought cleaning sprays and baking soda. First, scrub the inside and outside of the appliance with your chosen cleaner. Dry everything off with a clean rag, then repeat if necessary.

Use baking soda

To get cigarette smoke out of your camper, you can use baking soda. This household staple is a natural pH neutralizer, making it perfect for combatting tough odours.

Cushions and Pillows

If your cushions or pillows have absorbed the smell of cigarette smoke, you can use baking soda to neutralise the odour. First, if the cushion cover is washable, remove it and wash it. Then, place the cushion in a plastic bag, and add 1 cup of baking soda. Close the bag and shake it for 1 minute to ensure the baking soda covers all areas of the cushion. Leave the cushion in the bag for at least 8 hours, or overnight. After this, remove the cushion from the bag, and shake or vacuum off any excess baking soda. Finally, place the cushion outside in the fresh air for a few hours, and then flip it over to air out the other side.

Curtains

If your curtains are washable, you can wash them to remove the smell of smoke. If they are not, you can try hanging them outside to air out, or using a fabric freshener product. If these methods don't work, you can use baking soda. Follow the same steps as for the cushions, and then hang the curtains outside on a clothesline. You may need to repeat this process.

Rugs

To remove the smell of smoke from a rug, first, remove it from your camper and lay it on a flat surface. Sprinkle baking soda evenly over the rug. You can also add a few drops of lemon, eucalyptus, or lavender oil to the baking soda to enhance the fresh scent. Leave the baking soda for at least an hour, or longer if possible, and then vacuum it off the rug. If the rug still smells of smoke, repeat the process.

Appliances

To remove smoke from appliances, you will need to use a store-bought cleaning spray, as well as baking soda. First, select your preferred cleaning product, and scrub the inside and outside of the appliance. Dry the appliance with a clean cloth, and repeat the process if necessary.

Awning

If your awning is made of fabric, you can clean it with baking soda and tea tree oil. Sprinkle the baking soda over the awning, and scrub it with a sponge to ensure you cover the entire surface. If your awning is made of vinyl, you will only need to use water and dish soap.

Try natural remedies

Natural remedies can be very effective in removing the smell of cigarettes from your camper. Here are some methods you can try:

Charcoal

Charcoal is a natural deodorizer and can be used to absorb cigarette odours from your camper. Spread charcoal briquettes (not the kind with starter fluid) around the camper or contain them on cookie sheets or newspaper. You can also try activated charcoal products, such as charcoal bags, which are designed to absorb odours.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is another natural deodorizer that can be used to eliminate cigarette odours. Sprinkle baking soda on soft surfaces, such as cushions, curtains, rugs, and mattresses, and let it sit for several hours or overnight. Then, vacuum the baking soda off the surfaces. For rugs and mattresses, you can also try sprinkling baking soda mixed with a few drops of essential oil, such as lemon oil, eucalyptus oil, or lavender oil.

Vinegar

White vinegar can be used to neutralize odours. Try placing bowls of vinegar around the camper or mix vinegar with water and use it to wipe down surfaces. Alternatively, you can use a mixture of vinegar and water to spray on odorous fabrics.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is a natural disinfectant and deodorizer. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to a warm damp rag and scrub smoky surfaces. You can also add tea tree oil to a diffuser to help eliminate odours from the air.

Citrus

Citrus-based cleaners are effective in removing smoky smells and leaving a pleasant scent behind. Try using a citrus-based wood cleaner or a mixture of warm water and a citrus-based soap, such as Murphy Oil Soap, to wash down surfaces.

Airing Out the Camper

One of the simplest ways to remove cigarette odours is to air out the camper. Open all the vents, windows, and doors to allow fresh air to circulate. If possible, park the camper in a well-ventilated area or outdoors overnight to allow for maximum airflow.

Frequently asked questions