How to Get Weed Smell Out of a Car: Top Methods

Smoking in your car might not always be the best idea, but it happens—whether intentionally or from an unexpected hotboxing session with friends (I’ve been there). The good news is that unlike cigarette smoke, weed odors are generally easier to remove.

However, if your car has been hotboxed or you’ve smoked regularly in it, the smell can become persistent, clinging to surfaces like upholstery, plastics and seatbelts. To fix this you need to do surface cleaning and air purification to get rid of the smell entirely.

Also read:

• Top Air Purifier for Weed Smoke: Basic, Premium, and Pro Models
• Top 6 Smell-Proof Bags for Traveling with Weed

Basic Methods for Odor Removal

Ventilation: The First Step

The easiest, yet often overlooked, way to get weed smell out of a car is by simply airing it out. Open all windows and sunroofs, and drive around with the fan on full blast.

This helps circulate fresh air throughout the car and can flush out most smells and lingering smoke particles, especially if the odor isn’t too strong.

Wipe Down Interior Surfaces

If the smell persists, it’s time for a deeper clean. One effective and affordable method is to create a 50-50 mixture of white vinegar and water. Vinegar is a natural odor neutralizer and can help eliminate lingering smells. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the car’s interior, paying close attention to the following areas:

• Dashboard and hard surfaces: Don’t forget areas like the steering wheel, cup holders, and door panels, which can easily trap odors.
• Seatbelts: Pull them out fully and wipe them down as well. These often-ignored parts of the car can retain smells.
• Air vents: Spray the vinegar solution lightly into your car’s air intake vents. When you turn on the fan, the vinegar will circulate and neutralize odors trapped in the ventilation system.

Vinegar and water mixed in a spray bottle makes a handy smoke companion when you want to be discreet.

Once you’ve cleaned the surfaces, roll the windows down and drive around with the fan on to help dissipate the vinegar scent.

Advanced methods for the dankest cars

Ozone Generators: The Ultimate Solution

If your car has been hotboxed or frequently smoked in, simple cleaning might not be enough to eliminate the odor. For stubborn smells, an ozone generator is a highly effective solution. Ozone generators produce ozone (O3), which reacts with odor-causing molecules and neutralizes them, leaving your car smelling fresh.

Equipment like ozone generators used to be costly and getting it done at a shop could well go into the hundreds of dollars. But thanks to cheap goods from China, you can now get one like the Enerzen below for around $100, or if you have the money, go for more trusted and professional equipment from OdorStop.

Check price on Amazon	Check price on Amazon

Using an ozone generator is simple: just set the timer for 30-60 minutes, leave the car, and return once the cycle is complete. Be sure to let the ozone fully dissipate before re-entering the vehicle. Definitely do not use it while smoking, or you'll die.

Cleaning Weed Smell from Rental Cars

If you've smoked in a rental car and need to get rid of the smell before returning it, the same tips in this article apply. However, be mindful when using vinegar—go lighter to ensure the smell dissipates by the return time.

From my experience in the car industry, rental companies often deal with cigarette odors (which are much stronger) by wiping down interiors and using ozone generators as well. If you don’t own one and don't have time to order one, you can usually rent an ozone generator locally for $40-$100 by searching “ozone generator rental [city name].”

Things to do before you smoke

Minimize Odor Buildup

Of course, the best way to avoid dealing with weed odors in your car is to prevent them in the first place. Here are a few preventive measures:

• Deoderize before lighting up: If you usually use some kind of air freshener or deoderizer, remember to spray some before smoking as well. My favorite is the Ozium brand (Amazon link) which is used by professionals.
• Crack the windows: Always keep the windows partially or fully open. More air being pushed in will greatly reduce the amount of time the smoke has contact with your interior.
• Turn off your car's air-recirculation: It's really important that you don't keep recirculation on when smoking. This is to avoid your smoke going back inside the A/C.
  
  
• Use odor-absorbing products: Consider keeping odor-absorbing gels or air fresheners in your car. Products like activated charcoal bags can continuously absorb lingering odors over time.
• Smoke-resilient accessories: There are cannabis accessories like smoke filters (sploofs) or other personal air filters. If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out sploofs on Amazon.

Use a Dry Herb Vaporizer

Another excellent way to prevent weed odors from lingering in your car is by using a dry herb vaporizer. Vaporizers heat the cannabis without combustion, which significantly reduces the amount of smoke and smell produced compared to joints or bongs.

This can help keep your car smelling fresher after a session, some even describe it as flowery (the garden bed ones, not cannabis buds 😉).

If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits and how to use them, check out our guide to dry herb vaporizers.

Conclusion

Weed smell in a car can range from mildly annoying to overwhelmingly pungent, especially after a hotboxing session. While airing out the car and wiping down surfaces with a vinegar solution works for light odors, persistent smells may require advanced methods like an ozone generator.

Whether you smoke in your car occasionally or frequently, there’s a solution for every level of odor, from quick fixes to advanced cleaning methods. By following these tips, you can enjoy a fresh-smelling ride without any lingering weed scent.

Legal Disclaimer

We do not condone or encourage any illegal activities. Always comply with local laws and regulations regarding cannabis use and possession. The driver should never partake in smoking while operating a vehicle. Additionally, it's important to be aware of your area's laws concerning passengers consuming cannabis in a car.