How to Get Rid of Cigar Smell: Car, Clothes, Home and Breath

Short answer: the smell lives mostly in residue on surfaces, which can release odor back into the air, so airing out alone won't clear it. In a car, remove the ash and butts, vacuum, treat fabric with baking soda, wipe hard surfaces and the inside of the glass, replace the cabin air filter and run an odor treatment through the vents. Wash clothes with a cup of white vinegar, or air and brush a suit before it goes near a washer. For cigar breath, brush, floss and drink water. Air fresheners and mints mostly mask the smell, and ozone machines carry health warnings from the EPA.

Why cigar smell hangs around

Holt's describes cigar smoke as water, oils and ash. Once the cigar is out, what's left is residue: the Mayo Clinic calls tobacco smoke that settles on indoor surfaces thirdhand smoke, and says it gets stuck in soft items such as clothing, furniture, drapes and carpets, and settles like dust on hard surfaces, including in vehicles. The American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation's definition covers cigars by name. The EPA says these chemicals can build up on surfaces and, in some cases, be released back into the air.

That is why opening a window isn't enough. The Mayo Clinic says opening windows or running fans or air conditioning doesn't clear thirdhand smoke out, and adds that thirdhand smoke is hard to clean off with typical household cleaning, so the steps below reduce the smell rather than erase it. In a car, Cigar Advisor notes that cloth absorbs smoke smell while leather mostly doesn't, and that the ventilation system pulls smoke into the unit and blows the stale odor back out the next time you start the car.

How to get cigar smell out of a car

1. Air it out first. Old Cars Weekly opens all the windows and doors and lets the car air out for a few hours. Chemical Guys points out that this clears the air but not the particles embedded in surfaces, so keep going.
2. Take out the source. Cigar Advisor says leaving ashes or cigar butts in the ashtray or a cup makes a car rank. Empty and wash the ashtray, and check under and between the seats, as Chemical Guys suggests.
3. Vacuum everything. As part of its interior clean, The Drive vacuums out leftover ash, butts and paraphernalia. Detailer Larry Kosilla told The Drive to pay particular attention to the seat belts and the headliner.
4. Baking soda on carpet and cloth seats. Sprinkle it on, let it sit, then vacuum. Dwell times vary by source, from about 15 minutes (Cleanipedia) to several hours or overnight (Chemical Guys); Chemical Guys adds that baking soda can help absorb surface-level odor but isn't a substitute for deep cleaning.
5. White vinegar for hard surfaces. Cleanipedia wipes the steering wheel, dashboard and other hard surfaces with equal parts white vinegar and water. The Drive suggests a cup or two of white vinegar in a container near the center of the car, left for a number of hours or overnight. Chemical Guys lightly mists fabric with the same 1:1 mix and warns against soaking it.
6. Activated charcoal. Holt's calls an air-purifying bag of activated charcoal the most effective way to get smoke smell out of a car, and says it works especially well on leather and vinyl. Chemical Guys places containers in the front, the back and the trunk and leaves them overnight or longer.
7. Clean the inside of the glass. Chemical Guys says smoke leaves a thin film on windows and mirrors that can trap odors. SlashGear says tobacco creates a sticky residue, suggests spraying the cleaner onto the cloth rather than the glass, uses an ammonia-free cleaner on tinted windows, and says equal parts white vinegar and water work as well.
8. Go easy on the headliner. Detail King says never to spray liquid directly onto the headliner and to avoid steam, because heat can loosen the glue that holds it up. Kosilla sprays fabric cleaner onto a microfiber towel first and warns against over-soaking.
9. Replace the cabin air filter. The Drive and Holt's both say to change the air filter; in The Drive's walkthrough, the cabin filter is reached by removing the glove box.
10. Treat the vents. The Drive turns recirculation off, runs the fan on high at the lowest temperature with the windows down, and sprays deodorizer into the HVAC intake at the base of the windshield. Cleanipedia also runs the fan at full with recirculation off and sprays near the air intake, then repeats with the heat on maximum. Chemical Guys says spraying fragrance into the vents on its own won't solve it.
11. Deep clean or call a detailer. Chemical Guys steams upholstery with slow passes and dries it fully, and says heavily smoked interiors may need deep extraction. Holt's says to have the car professionally detailed if the other methods fail.

Test it. Chemical Guys closes the car up for a few hours, then sits inside with no air freshener running to see whether the smell is gone. If it comes back on hot days, Chemical Guys' explanation is that heat and humidity can reactivate embedded particles, which is a good reason to treat every surface rather than just the obvious ones.

Air fresheners and ozone

Holt's says car air fresheners and sprays mainly mask the smell, and Cigar Advisor says old-fashioned pine-tree fresheners are no match for cigar smoke.

Ozone generators are a different matter. Some detailers use them, but the EPA warns that ozone can be harmful to health and can damage the lungs when inhaled, says no federal agency has approved ozone generators for use in occupied spaces, and adds that at levels that don't exceed public health standards, ozone has little potential to remove indoor air contaminants and is not effective at removing many odor-causing chemicals. The EPA adds that relatively low amounts can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation, and that ozone is believed to react with acrolein, an irritating chemical in secondhand tobacco smoke. Detailers who use ozone say the vehicle must be empty: Detail King says never to run a generator while anyone is inside and to ventilate for at least 30 minutes afterward, and Chemical Guys says ozone should only be used in unoccupied spaces with strict safety precautions. Our advice: don't run an ozone machine yourself. If a detailer uses one, no person or pet should be in the car during treatment, and the car should be aired out before anyone gets back in.

How to get cigar smell out of clothes

• Air it before you wash it. Cigar Journal hangs smoky garments in fresh air, brushes them and steams them before washing or dry cleaning. Tailors interviewed by InsideHook air a suit out for at least 12 to at least 48 hours; one brushes it and cautions against scent-masking sprays and too much dry cleaning, and another steams it after airing.
• Add white vinegar. JR Cigars adds a cup of white vinegar to a hot wash with detergent, and extension guides from Oklahoma State and Texas A&M, written for wildfire and house-fire smoke, suggest a cup of vinegar in the wash cycle with the usual detergent; Holt's adds white vinegar during the rinse. Maytag disagrees, saying vinegar should only be a pre-treatment and not go directly into the washer, so check your machine's manual.
• Or baking soda. Maytag sprinkles half a cup of baking soda into the washer tub with the detergent. For a dry method, Holt's sprinkles baking soda on the garment, lets it sit 24 to 48 hours, then shakes it out outside and vacuums.
• Skip the dryer until it's gone. The Oklahoma State and Texas A&M extension guides, written for fire smoke, say to wash again rather than dry clothes that still smell, because drying can set the odor.
• Dry clean heavy cases. Maytag says heavily exposed items may need professional cleaning.

How to get cigar smell out of a room

Start with the source. The EPA's advice is to smoke outdoors, away from doors, open windows, building air intakes and vehicles, and it says ventilation, filtration and air cleaning can reduce exposure to smoke but not remove it completely. To remove small particles, the EPA suggests an air cleaner with a high clean air delivery rate (CADR) for tobacco smoke, a rating that covers particles only. It notes that most filters are designed to catch either particles or gases, and says activated carbon filters can be effective when the filter uses a large amount of material. It also says to avoid air cleaners that intentionally produce ozone.

To clear a room that already smells, the Texas A&M extension guide, written for fire smoke, washes walls and hard surfaces with a mild soap or other suitable cleaner, and the Oklahoma State extension service's wildfire-smoke guide sets out bowls of baking soda or activated charcoal for several days. Holt's says scented candles mask odor rather than remove it. If you smoke at home, Holt's suggests an exhaust fan in the window, running whenever you light up, and hard floors and leather or wood seating over carpet and drapes.

Hands and face

The Thirdhand Smoke Resource Center, part of the California Thirdhand Smoke Research Consortium, says to wash your hands and face carefully after smoking to remove tobacco residue from your skin.

How to get rid of cigar breath and aftertaste

The Mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic and the ADA all name smoking as a cause of bad breath, and the Mayo Clinic's home-care advice includes staying away from tobacco. For the cigar you've already smoked:

• Brush and floss. Holt's calls brushing and flossing a fast and easy way to get the cigar taste out of your mouth. The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day and cleaning between your teeth daily.
• Drink water. The Mayo Clinic says saliva helps cleanse the mouth of the particles that cause odor, and the Cleveland Clinic suggests drinking plenty of water to avoid dry mouth. Holt's adds water or seltzer to refresh the palate while you smoke.
• Your tongue. The Mayo Clinic says the tongue collects bacteria, and the Cleveland Clinic recommends scraping it; Cigar Advisor uses a tongue scraper for after-cigar taste. The ADA, however, says there is no evidence that brushing or scraping the tongue improves bad breath.
• Gum, mints and mouthwash help, briefly. The ADA suggests sugar-free gum or sugar-free candy to keep saliva flowing, and says over-the-counter mouthwashes can help kill bacteria or neutralize and temporarily mask bad breath, but only as a temporary solution. Holt's says mints and gum do more to mask cigar breath than to remove it.
• See a dentist if it lingers. The Mayo Clinic and the Cleveland Clinic say to see a dentist if bad breath persists after you change your routine. The ADA notes that smokers may not be aware of how their breath smells.

Less smell next time

• Smoke outside, or in a lounge. The EPA's guidance is to smoke outdoors, away from doors, windows and vehicles, and it says the only way to avoid secondhand exposure entirely is to keep smoking out of indoor spaces, including cars; the car tips below cut down smell, not exposure. Or bring the cigar to our cigar lounge in Yuma.
• In the car, use a lidded ashtray. JR Cigars says built-in car ashtrays aren't particularly good at trapping the scent and suggests a lidded cup-holder ashtray, emptied and washed out, with snipped tips thrown away. Holt's suggests opening the sunroof, or cracking the rear windows, and Cigar Advisor and JR Cigars use the setting that pulls in outside air rather than recirculating the smoke.
• Don't leave cigars in the car. JR Cigars says to think twice before putting a half-smoked cigar in a pocket or the glove compartment, because clothes and car take on the smell of a dirty ashtray, and Holt's says a parked car's temperature swings are hard on cigars, so keep them at home. Holt's also says not to throw a cigar out of a moving car, and in a desert climate like ours, not to throw it out at all. See how to put out a cigar.
• Change before you go in. The Thirdhand Smoke Resource Center suggests changing clothes and washing your hands and face before entering your home or car.

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Frequently asked questions

How do you get cigar smell out of a car?

Remove ash and butts, vacuum, treat cloth with baking soda, wipe hard surfaces and glass with a 1:1 white vinegar and water solution, replace the cabin air filter and run an odor treatment through the vents. Airing the car out helps, but Chemical Guys says it doesn't remove particles embedded in surfaces.

How long does cigar smell last in a car?

It can last a long time. The American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation says tobacco residue lingers in vehicles for months after anyone has smoked there, and that cleaning cannot remove it because it absorbs into surfaces. The steps above aim to cut the smell down, not to clear every trace.

Does baking soda remove cigar smell?

It can help absorb surface-level odor. In a car, sources leave it from about 15 minutes to overnight before vacuuming; on garments, Holt's and Cigar Journal leave it 24 to 48 hours. Chemical Guys says it isn't a substitute for deep cleaning.

Does vinegar get rid of cigar smell?

It helps. Cleanipedia wipes hard surfaces with equal parts white vinegar and water, The Drive leaves a cup or two of white vinegar in a container in the car for hours or overnight, and JR Cigars and Holt's add vinegar to the laundry, though Maytag says vinegar should only be a pre-treatment and not go directly into the washer.

Is an ozone generator safe for getting rid of smoke smell?

The EPA says ozone can be harmful to health, that no federal agency has approved ozone generators for occupied spaces, and that at concentrations that do not exceed public health standards, ozone has little potential to remove indoor air contaminants and is not effective at removing many odor-causing chemicals. Detailers who use it say the space must be empty.

Do air purifiers remove cigar smoke?

They reduce it but don't remove it completely, according to the EPA. For smoke particles it suggests a high CADR for tobacco smoke, a rating that covers particles only; for gases, it says activated carbon filters can be effective when they use a large amount of material.

How do I get cigar smell out of clothes?

Air and brush the garment first, then wash it with a cup of white vinegar or half a cup of baking soda, though Maytag says vinegar should only be a pre-treatment and not go directly into the washer. The Oklahoma State and Texas A&M extension services say not to dry clothes that still smell, because drying can set the odor.

How do I get the cigar taste out of my mouth?

Brush and floss, and drink water. Holt's says brushing and flossing is a fast way to get rid of cigar taste, and that mints and gum mostly mask it.

What is thirdhand smoke?

The Mayo Clinic defines it as tobacco smoke that settles on indoor surfaces. It sticks to soft items such as clothing, furniture and carpet and settles on hard surfaces, including in cars.

Why does cigar smell come back on hot days?

Chemical Guys, a car-care company, says heat and humidity can reactivate smoke particles embedded in a car's interior. The EPA, without tying it to temperature, says tobacco smoke chemicals that build up on surfaces can, in some cases, be released back into the air.

Sources: Mayo Clinic, "What Is Thirdhand Smoke, and Why Is It a Concern?" (May 2025) and "Bad Breath" (December 2023); U.S. EPA, "Secondhand Smoke and Electronic-Cigarette Aerosols," "Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home" and "Ozone Generators That Are Sold as Air Cleaners"; American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation, "Smokefree Rental Cars" (June 2019); Thirdhand Smoke Resource Center, "If Someone Smokes Outside, Do They Bring Thirdhand Smoke Indoors With Them?"; American Dental Association, MouthHealthy, "Bad Breath" and "Tongue Scrapers and Cleaners"; Cleveland Clinic, "Bad Breath (Halitosis)" (August 2025); Holt's Clubhouse, "How to Remove Cigar Smell From Your Belongings & Home" (October 2021), "How to Get Rid of Cigar Breath & Aftertaste" (October 2021), "How to Smoke a Cigar in a Car" (September 2020) and "Do Smoke Odor Candles Work?" (March 2022); Famous Smoke Shop's Cigar Advisor, "How to Un-Stink Your Car" (December 2014), "How to Help Get Rid of Cigar Odor" (July 2014) and "How to Get Rid of Cigar Mouth" (August 2013); JR Cigars, "Top Tips for Getting Cigar Smoke Out of Clothes" (March 2020), "Tips for Driving With a Cigar" (August 2022) and "Don't Put a Half-Smoked Cigar in Your Humidor" (July 2022); Cigar Journal, "How to Remove Cigar Smell" (September 2018); InsideHook, "Tips From Tailoring Professionals on How to Freshen Up Your Suit After a Cigar" (January 2022); The Drive, "How to Get Smoke Smell Out of Your Car" (2020, updated 2021); Cleanipedia, "How to Remove Smoke Smell From a Car" (January 2023); Old Cars Weekly, "From Flagrant to Fragrant, Here's How to Get Smoke Smells Out of Your Car"; Chemical Guys, "How to Remove Cigarette Smell From Car" (March 2026) and "Removing Smoke Odor From Car Interiors" (June 2025); Detail King, headliner (2016, updated 2025) and ozone generator (2023, updated 2025) guides; Autoblog Details, headliner cleaning; SlashGear, windshield film (June 2025); Maytag, "4 Ways to Help Remove Smoke Smell From Clothes"; Oklahoma State University Extension, "How to Remove Fire Odor From Belongings and Homes" (March 2024); Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, "How to Remove Smoke Smell From a Home."