What do you use to clean a car that was previously owned by a smoker who had a dog?

Question

This is probably sounding like a nightmare to you. I already spent 4 hours cleaning this car and it's not even 1/2 done. The carpet has spots on it. I attempted to clean the floor mats (fabric) with soap, scrub brush, a power washer, it took a lot out, but the water doesn't run clear, it looks like Coke! So how do I get it all out? Is it ok to put it through the washing machine on gentle? The backing is rubber with the grips on it. How do I get the floor clean because I can't remove it? How do I get the smell out? Baking soda???? Thanks!

Answer 1

To remove the stains you will need a pail of hot water , a scrub brush and shampoo try to remove as much as you can for now , wash all the interior and use white vinegar to  eliminate the smell , then place a bag of charcoal in the car open it at the corners to let the scent escape , this will act as a filter as well , keep your windows a bit open during the day when you are home if you can otherwise this will work even if you keep them closed  

Answer 2

Use Lots of elbow grease &  vinegar . Take it to a pro-car detailer.or get ready to spend many hours cleaning evey inch of the car with vinegar, then use fabric sheets under the seats over night ,or even several days, and febreeze pet odor eliminator.Clean the inside windows & rubber tracks really well all corners. Also don't forget to do the roof of the inside of the car. Left over orange peel alos work on odors.Hope this helps :)

Answer 3

Pay (a bit through the nose) to have it detailed.  

Answer 4

Get some Febreeze to spray over everything that you otherwise can't launder. Works like a miracle, and avoids the car smelling like a pickle factory.

Answer 5

You will have to wash every material surface. What I mean is that the seats, rugs, back dash, and the head liner. I inherited a truck from a heavy smoker. I had it professionally detailed every surface except the head liner. When I got it back it was much better...but could still smell smoke. The detailer told me the headliner had to be replaced .I had it changed and WOW no more smoke. If you don't want to spend the $$ you can from time to time spray a car smelly spray thing into the A/C intake located on the floor usually on either side of the center hump under the dash. Good Luck.  

Answer 6

Why did you buy it in the first place?  I would suggest Febreze - lots of it - and drive with the windows rolled down for a while.  OR take it to a professional.

Answer 7

The floor mats can go through the washing machine on gentle -- just don't put them in the dryer (I know; that should be completely freakin' obvious, but you never know...)  The best way I have found to get really nasty, smelly dirt out of vehicle upholstery is to use the wand attachment on my rug shampooer, using a mixture of about 1/4 cup of white vinegar to every gallon of hot water.  The problem with using any kind of soap is you have to rinse the upholstery at least five times just to get the soap out, and if you don't get all the soap out the upholstery looks dingy.  Yes, it'll smell like vinegar for a while, but if you leave it out on a clear night with the windows open, the smell will go away.  You can always use Oust or Lysol on it later as well.

Answer 8

I find the vinegar work well, also you can use it in a bucket and wipe down the dash and doors and all that plastic. Gets that film off.  I also found that putting two small cups/bowls with some baking powder in them under the seats work great.  Every few days mix it around a bit to get that fresh powder to the top.