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Old Feb 8, 2012 | 06:51 AM
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Removing Odors?

Hopefully this isn't off topic here? Thought the pro detailers would know something.........

Contemplating a new-to-me E van sometime soon but my biggest concern as a non-smoker is getting one that has the smell of smoke embedded in everything. Anyone know of a permanent and really effective way to get rid of that smell?

I've heard the fire reconstruction/recovery builders have a system that works on the molecular level, essentially replacing one "smell molecule" with another within a confined area; house or a room for example. I'm thinking such a thing might work of a van too but looking for alternatives too.

Thanks in advance for any ideas!
 
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Old Feb 10, 2012 | 09:42 PM
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Scrub the carpet and well. Fabreeze the headliner. Then run a little lisol into the fresh air intake and run the heater. Keep the windows open for a day. Also and I am nit joking, rent an ozone machine. They really do work.
 
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 05:00 AM
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Hey Flattie----thanks for the reply!

As it turns out a brain storm hit me----why not call one of the fire recovery outfits to see if they do this as a service----turns out they do.

Like your suggestion they recommend deep cleaning the upholstered surfaces first then using an ozone machine. I'm told that raises the interior temperatures to about 120 degrees and "replaces" the offending smells. Their costs run between $100 and $450, depending on how much I want to do myself. As luck has it my first contact had been responsible for deodorizing 17 newer cars under going repairs in a body shop fire. Along with doing the shop as well the cost was just about $1 million---WOW!

When/if I get something in need of deodorizing I'll use a combination of both suggestions. I always thought once a bad smell was embedded in a vehicle it was there to stay---glad its not!
 
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Old Feb 12, 2012 | 07:51 PM
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Also lay a large plastic sheet out and sprinkle baking soada thinly as possible, this absorbs ordors very well....the more surface area the better.

for maintence...a fabric softener sheet works well too......
 
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