How to Get Weed Smell Out of Car: Best Tips for a Fresh Interior

Weed smoke has a distinct smell that can leave a pungent odor in your car after smoking. Having that lingering weed odor in your car can be unpleasant and, depending on your state, may even land you in legal trouble. Getting rid of weed smells might seem tricky, but with these tips, your car can smell even better than it did before your sesh.

The question of how long does the smell of weed last can vary depending on a couple of factors. The first is how much was being smoked? If you just hit a bong or pipe, the weed smell may last for an hour or two. But hotboxing your car with a joint or blunt can leave your car smelling of weed for up to six or more hours. In addition, having a car that is well ventilated, such as by opening the windows or having the AC cycle fresh air through the car, can help reduce how long the weed smell lingers.

While spraying your standard can of air freshener into the car may seem tempting, these don’t remove the weed odor but mask it instead. Using products like air fresheners, the weed scent is likely to return. Removing odors like the smell of weed requires products designed explicitly for absorbing and neutralizing odors. Things like odor-neutralizing sprays or carbon filters can help eradicate the weed odor after smoking weed.

Having your car filled with the odor of marijuana smoke can be unappealing not only to you but also to your passengers. We’ve compiled some of the top ways to get weed smell out of cars.

The simplest way to rid your car of weed smell is to immediately open all the windows, allowing fresh air to circulate. Getting some fresh air circulating helps clear the musky scent from smoking cannabis.

To help remove the weed smell from your car, set your AC to full power using the “Outside” or “Fresh Air” setting. This helps pull fresh air in from the outside instead of recycling the air already inside your car.

If you’re a constant hotboxer, we recommend wiping down the hard surfaces of your car (e.g., dashboard, steering wheel, gear shift, door panels, etc.). This can help clean up the buildup of smoke residue left on those surfaces.

If the weed smell lingers, it may be time to deep clean your car’s upholstery, especially if you have cloth seats. Vacuuming, steam cleaning, and shampooing your car’s interior, such as seats and floor carpets, every six months can help with the lingering weed smell. You can also add some baking soda to the cleaning formula to help absorb the weed smell.

An odor eliminator spray like Ozium or an Odor Eater can help with odor absorption by removing smoke particles from the surrounding air. Spray or place in your car to help absorb the odor-causing particles.

Kicking on the AC at full blast and driving with the windows open is a great way to help disperse the weed smell from your car.

Coffee grounds can help neutralize the smell of weed smoke. Try placing a container of coffee grounds in your cupholder overnight. Baking soda may also be beneficial in absorbing the weed smell.

If you smoke in your car, your car’s cabin air filter can absorb a lot of smoke particles through the air vents. Replacing your car’s cabin air filter with a fresh one can help remove the lingering weed scent.

In some states where recreational cannabis is legal for adult use, like Illinois, courts have ruled that cannabis odors are not a reason for probable cause. Some medical cannabis states, like Wisconsin, however, still allow for the scent of weed to be a reason for probable cause for a DUI and to search your vehicle. Overall, it is best not to smoke in your car if you can avoid it. Be sure to store cannabis properly to prevent any strong odors from raw cannabis.

Trying to get rid of the smell of weed in places other than your car? Check out our full guide on quickly getting rid of weed smells in any space.