Ridding used car of deodarizer spray

[Tazzy]

We traded our van in today (which is the good news) but I am very ill from the strong deodarizer they used. Any ideas of how to rid the van of this, please share. I am heading to bed with a bad reaction but tomorrow I need to figure out how to fix it by Sunday night when we must use it to drive to and from our jobs.

I googled it and am trying a open tin of coffee grind. If that doesn't help, I'll need more suggestions.

I'm happy we got a reliable vehicle but some of the joy is marred by how ill driving in it has made me.

I thought about this before we got it but the change happened so quick (our van was no longer safe to drive nor worth repairing) and the vehicle had already been detailed before we were aware of it. Just didn't think it would be SO bad!

Thanks for any suggestions!

Edited February 7, 2015 by Tazzy

[Lance]

A couple of things ... For really stinky fabric Steam clean all the upholstery and rugs and or

Ozone generator to oxidize odors.... they use them to kill smoke residue in smoke damaged homes ..

I would go with steam cleaning of all fabric including head liner and fans and heat to dry everything ...

[SUNRAY]

Hi! In addition..check and make sure the dealer or former owner didn't put a deoderizer inside the air duct..you may need to wear a charcoal mask while in the car...maybe someone else could drive?

[Tazzy]

A couple of things ... For really stinky fabric Steam clean all the upholstery and rugs and or

Ozone generator to oxidize odors.... they use them to kill smoke residue in smoke damaged homes ..

I would go with steam cleaning of all fabric including head liner and fans and heat to dry everything ...

I would steam clean but since it's minus 20 Celsius with the wind chill, it wIll not only be an impossible feat (nowhere inside to do it) but drying will be a problem. (We are also in the middle of a weekend long messy storm right now - expecting freezing rain and up to 20 cm of snow by Monday)

I just remembered I have an odor treatment spray I will try next (if the coffee hasn't helped). It is nokout - non toxic / non-allergic and odourless. We've used it for shoe / boot odor at the front door but I never tried it in an enclosed space so I'm going to try that next.

I guess if I must I'd have to take it in to a professional place who can do it inside somewhere warm with no deodarizers or smelly stuff. That will be next week tho so I have to endure this thru the night Sunday for work. I can't stay home so I guess we'll keep the windows open while driving (brrrrrrr) and I'll have to suffer thru.

I'm headachy and hurting today from exposure yesterday just driving it home.

[Tazzy]

Hi! In addition..check and make sure the dealer or former owner didn't put a deoderizer inside the air duct..you may need to wear a charcoal mask while in the car...maybe someone else could drive?

I will use a mask, I have one here. As to driving, my son may be able to depending on the weather and his driving phobia. My daughter only has her beginners so I'm nervous to have her drive the new van in a snow storm.

I will check over the van to see if there is any source for the smell but I think it is just something they sprayed on as they detailed it. The place is closed until Monday for me to ask. I picked it up just before they closed Friday.

[CHecker]

Big lan of Charcoal briquets, a big pan like a aluminum roaster full of baking soda, full strength vinegar, but then again it would be wet, vermeculite. All are odor absorbers. And the ozonator is perfect, I use it at my stinky jobs. Use caution as it's not good for asthma or related lung issues.

[CHecker]

And the above post confirms my suspicions- do not reply on my phone! I sound like an idiot!

 

Anyway, I was trying to say that BBQ briquettes absorb odors, but use a big turkey pan and FILL it up. Or baking soda all over the place- seats floors etc if/when you can let it stay that way for 24 hours, it really helps. Or put a big pan of it in the back, all spread out so it has lots of room to absorb.

BUT the ozonator works incredibly well, it has something to do with molecules, it binds to bad odors and makes it heavy and it falls to the floor where you can vacuum it up. I've used mine for 15 years. Causes problems for asthmatics though so don't be breathing it in. 

[Beggar for the Spirit]

Hi Sister Beth,

 

Sorry to hear about your vehicle having these odor problems.

I can understand why this would affect you.

As far as advice, Brother Lance and Sister Cheryl have a great

idea of using an "Ozone Machine".

They are costly to buy but in many cities you can actually rent one for cheaper

 

It is very easy, you put the Ozone machine in your car, turn it on,

close the windows and doors and leave it on for however long

is suggested. You can turn on your air system/AC and circulate the air

so that the "Ozone" goes thru your ventilation system.

 

What happens?

The Ozone spreads into all corners of the car, goes into places you normally couldn't clean, its like a

big fog inside your car, and then it kills all odor because it can kill germs, fungus, mildew, even

some bugs. So it should be able to help rid of the deodorizer smell also.

Plus this machine would be great since you just bought this used vehicle because we

never know what the previous owners spilled or what germs/fungus exists and so this machine

will help you in many ways!

 

But a another cheaper idea is this:

If you believe that the odor is coming from inside the vents,

then here is what you can do.

This is a "hack" or fix primarily for killing bacteria and mold, but maybe

this could be used for your deodorizer problem?

 

How to Use Lysol to clean bacteria out of your car air conditioning system

Air conditioning systems are cold and wet and make great breeding grounds for bacteria and mold. If the AC in your car is making a foul smell, it may well be inundated with bacteria. Watch this video to learn how a simple can of Lysol can fix the problem.

 

* Buy 1-2 cans of Lysol Disinfectant Spray

* Turn OFF recycled air, turn ON Fresh air

* Open all windows

* Turn on AC full blast

* Go to front windshield under wipers and there is the intake vent below, spray into all of it

 

http://diy-auto-repair.wonderhowto.com/how-to/use-lysol-clean-bacteria-out-your-car-air-conditioning-system-401378/

[Beggar for the Spirit]

Hi Sister Cheryl,

 

Is the "ozonator" you mentioned an Ozone Machine?

If so, is this one you bought?

May I ask, how much was it and where can these be bought?

I have been wanting one, I have only been able to rent one in past years.

 

It sounds like you clean homes/businesses for a living so it is good to have your advice.   

[Tazzy]

Well, I sprayed the van with NokOut last night and today the deodorizer spray smell is better but we know why they sprayed it in the first place!

Smokers! Yuck!

I have found a place that rents ozone generators (they weren't open today of course!) so tomorrow I'm getting one. Says it will clear smoke odors from a vehicle in 2 hrs. Rental for a day is $36. Not bad if it means I can drive without getting a headache and feeling ill.

[Beggar for the Spirit]

That is good news Beth, I really hope this idea works for you!   

And just think, people spend $50-100 to get their car cleaned inside and detailed,

so now for less the inside of your car will have everything killed and no more odors!

[CHecker]

I bought mine years ago. It was around $400.00.

It's not very big but it will clean the air and even permeate walls and flooring of 1,500 sq. ft.

[RaymondG]

Take the car back, tell them they sold it to you under false pretences and you want the opportunity to buy a vehicle they haven't had to detox like this...

This will serve as a warning to them too, you cannot cover one smell with another without cost.

Beneath it all, you will be getting the tobacco smell, as foul as it can be, just mingled with other stuff that's not good for you either. This car is a health hazard to you, make them change it over.

[Tazzy]

Take the car back, tell them they sold it to you under false pretences and you want the opportunity to buy a vehicle they haven't had to detox like this...This will serve as a warning to them too, you cannot cover one smell with another without cost.Beneath it all, you will be getting the tobacco smell, as foul as it can be, just mingled with other stuff that's not good for you either. This car is a health hazard to you, make them change it over.

I appreciate the concern and understand your thoughts. But I can't and won't do this (unless all methods fail to eliminate the odour but I'm pretty sure the ozone generator will do the trick) because all the other indications are that this vehicle was found and directed by Jehovah in short order. The guys I lease from didn't do the odour cover up - that was the dealer they got it from - and they went searching for a specific vehicle for me in a short time period so I can't very well complain about it to them. I just appreciate how I got the vehicle and that they financed me with no questions / no cosigners.

My particular situation was dicey and this answer was most definitely an answer from Jehovah.

(And the suggestion to use an ozone generator likely is an answer too. I just have to get to the place before they close today - Sunday night's work took me right into Monday morning and I was awake 21 hours so slept first and could get to the place before 5 to pick up....)

From what I've read and heard this method will eliminate the underlying sources of odours and give us a healthy fresh van atmosphere.

For Brother Neil, here's a link I came across for purchasing them:

http://www.odorfreemachines.com/?c1=GAW_CM_NW&source=RMKT&kw=home_728_90&cr5=11914603987&gclid=CMvtpN3t18MCFQgtaQodWiYAzw

[pnutts]

I had a different company ozone machine but I blew the transformer when doing renovation of a house I had ( dust went through supposedly sealed plastic barrier). Too old to fix.   It worked good up until that time.

[Greg Dent]

Regular Charcoal will not work It has to be activated charcoal. Coffee is the best to absorb odor. After that a fabric softener sheet of your favourite brand will help. Sprinkle baking soda on the seats and carpet and leave it for a while. Vacuum it well. You should find it improved. 

[Tazzy]

I keep forgetting to update (if anyone cares to know!)...

I rented the ozone generator for the long weekend so I could run it the recommended time (during the week I needed it too much to have a long span to run it) and got bonus time for the daily price to boot!

It ran 30 hours (even tho it went to near -40 with wind chill here BRRr!)

And it worked fabulously! No more odours of any kind!

So thanks for the suggestion, I had not heard of such a thing before.

Happy with my van now and no more headaches from the fragrance or smoke!

Edited February 20, 2015 by Tazzy