So you smoked or stored some weed inside your car—how do you get rid of the lingering weed smell? If you’re worried about someone finding out that you’ve been smoking, there are a lot of quick and effective ways to eliminate those distinct cannabis odors. Keep reading for the best things you can do to get rid of that skunky odor and make your car smell fresh again.

1

Spray an odor neutralizer in your vehicle.

  1. Odor neutralizers remove the smell deep inside your vehicle’s vents. Turn your vehicle on and set your fans high with the windows closed. Press the button on the odor neutralizer spray to activate it and close the door. Let the spray circulate inside your car for 15 minutes before taking it out. When you’re finished, roll down your windows and let your vehicle air out for another 15 minutes.[1]
    • An odor neutralizer spray has chemicals that purify the air, so they’re the most effective ways to get the weed smell out of a rental car before returning it or your vehicle after hotboxing it.
    • Odor neutralizers contain chemicals that cause eye and skin irritation, so wait to sit in or drive your vehicle until it airs out.[2]
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6

Absorb odors with activated charcoal.

  1. Weed odors get trapped in the pores of activated charcoal. Leave an activated charcoal bag or two inside your vehicle on the floor or under your seats if you want to be discreet. Since activated charcoal is really porous, the lingering weed odors in your car will get sucked up into the bag and make your vehicle odor-free over the next 1–2 days.[7]
    • Avoid leaving loose activated charcoal on your vehicle’s upholstery since it could leave a stain.
    • Alternatively, you can try leaving a tin of dry coffee grounds in your car. The grounds absorb odors, but they also mask the weed smell with the scent of fresh coffee.[8]
7

Wipe hard surfaces with vinegar and water.

  1. A vinegar solution can help mask and clean lingering odors. Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar in a bowl. Dip a soft microfiber cleaning rag in the solution and wring it out before wiping the surfaces of your vehicle, like the dashboard, steering wheel, and doors. The vinegar smell hides the weed smell, and it also has the added benefit of cleaning up any dirt and dust.[9]
    • Alternatively, try leaving a shallow glass or bowl filled with white vinegar in your vehicle for a day or two to eliminate the odor. Just be sure to take it out when you’re driving so you don’t spill.[10]
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Warnings

  • Smoking weed and driving can be really dangerous since it impairs your senses, and it may be illegal in your area.[13]
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About This Article

Chad Zani
Co-authored by:
Auto Detailing Expert
This article was co-authored by Chad Zani and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Chad Zani is the Director of Franchising at Detail Garage, an automotive detailing company with locations around the U.S. and Sweden. Chad is based in the Los Angeles, California area and uses his passion for auto detailing to teach others how to do so as he grows his company nationwide. This article has been viewed 77,501 times.
5 votes - 40%
Co-authors: 3
Updated: July 31, 2022
Views: 77,501
Categories: Recreational Drugs
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