I have tried just about everything out there to get rid of my terrible smoke smell that I "once" had in my car (I know I should quit & I will..... some day) and after trying everything out there I found "That new car smell" by Ozium at Auto Zone, that stuff is not only one of the cleanest smelling sprays (to me personally) it really works. I take an entire day to detail my car - I have all the attachments, brushes, lint picker uppers, rags, and the whole nine - Now, what I found that works best for shampooing the carpets on the other hand and is some 'Awesome' cleaner (found for a buck and a dollar store) and a bucket of hot water, a brush and a shop vac. Some people may have their own way of detailing but I do what works best for me. I'm not the type who just pick up things and call it good... I clean.

I have also taken my car to a self car wash - Sprayed some Awesome cleaner on all the floors & sprayed the entire inside of my car until I had about an inch deep of water & suds on all the floor boards and backed it up and vacuumed it out with their vacuums TOTAL COST: $11.75 as apposed to $100+ that some detail places charge for them to shampoo the carpets - My cars carpet has never been cleaner. Only took about a day to dry in 90 degree weather.

If you try this method do it at your own risk - It gets messy [img]smileys/smiley2.gif[/img]

 

And likely promotes mold growth underneath the carpet.

Also - don't forget there are likekly electrical wiring harnesses down there; if any insulation has worn off from rubbing on the frame, you're risking shorting things out.....


Eeek.

 

You are exactly right. I went out of my way cleaning the carpets I have to add though - Vac'ed and re vac'ed and on a hot day... it dries in a few hours. I don't think everyone should do this. I on the other hand have to try my ideas at least once. But yeah - Mold growth and all that electrical stuff is right on the money.... everything that works for me might not work for someone else.

Derf - You know too much for your own good [img]smileys/smiley2.gif[/img] I wished I had your knowledge in my brain. [img]smileys/smiley4.gif[/img] Some day........ maybe some day

 

yea, dont we all wish for his knowledge..... but unfortunatly we dont. so on that note i will just take the precautions of not smoking, eating, drinking, ect. in my car to create such problems to cause a massive clean out like that.


- and dont you think the best way would just to take your around the house carpet cleaner?

 

Just remember-When you do clean your carpets and chemicals and water is involved-Never over do it-Other members who have replied to this is exactly 100% right-you have to be concerned w/mildew,electrical hardware,ect.I have over 8 years of experience with detaling cars for major dealerships in Ny. When you do decide to clean carpets and you purchase any type of chemical to use for the carpets..... Read the directions and safety precautions-Never use more than directed unless you know what u r doing.As far as water is concerned,alot of people think they have to saturate the carpet w/water-this is not true.When u use too much water,thats where u can run into mildew.Sometimes u have to go back and give the carpet a second treatment with water.Also,never get ahead of yourself-Do one section at a time-this will prevent you from missing anything.Good Luck!!!!