How to Get Rid of Vape Smell? - Immediate Solution

Although vapor vape clouds disappear seconds after you exhale, the smell can stay back in your room for hours.

In the case of stronger tobacco or dessert flavors, this smell can sometimes last for days. 

Studies show that certain vape flavors or more of the ingredients that go into making them are the main culprits. Sweet flavors stick to fabrics and surfaces and easily leave an odor. This is at times more difficult to get rid of than. 

Don't be disheartened though as we have a few solutions to this problem for you! Today we will look at a few fast and effective ways to get rid of the vape smell.

Here are some tried and true tips that can help you get rid of the vape smell from your room, car, and even your clothes! 

Quick Summary Immediate Steps to Get Rid of Vape Smell Ventilate the Area Clean Soft Surfaces Wipe Down Hard Surfaces Quick DIY Remedies like using activated charcoal and baking soda Best Ways to Eliminate Vape Smell from Your Car Clean the Interior Regularly Keep The Cockpit Well-Ventilated & Use Air Purifiers Portable Odor Eliminators How to Get Vape Smell Out of Clothes Wash After Heavy Vaping Use Fabric Fresheners

Understanding Vape Smell: Why Does It Linger?

While vape smell may not be as strong as cigarette smoke they stay around in different ways. The smoke from vapes has chemicals like propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), and flavoring agents. Once turned into vapor, they can settle fabrics, walls, and car upholstery. As they accumulate over time which is the source of smell. 

Why Do Vape Odors Stick?

Cigarette smoke is created from combustion and creates heavy tar. This tar clings to surfaces and can even lead to discoloration. Vaping on the other hand produces vapor made of tiny liquid particles.

These particles are lighter and stick to curtains, carpets, and clothing. You will get the most smell coming from liquid flavors that are sweet and fruit. They will also tend to have a stronger smell in comparison. 

Vape smells can be more subtle than cigarette smoke. You might think this is an advantage but it is harder to notice vape odors until they’ve built up a lot. Cars or small rooms with poor ventilation can further trap these scents. 

Immediate Steps to Get Rid of Vape Smell

To get rid of the vape smell immediately you can ensure some short-term practices to make sure the vapor does not stick. 

Ventilate the Area

The easiest step to take is improving the airflow where you vape the most. 

• Keep Windows and Doors Open: Fresh air will help recycle vapor from your room or car. Although most of us vape indoors opening some windows can cross-ventilate your room to push the odor out. Try to leave the windows open for at least 30 minutes.
• Use Fans: you can even turn on a fan or AC with fan mode to speed up air circulation. If you use a fan, place it near a window to blow the air out. 
• Turn on Exhaust Fans: if you have the option you can even fit an exhaust fan in the room you vape the most to suck out the stale air. 

Clean Soft Surfaces

Regularly wash curtains, carpets, and upholstery to remove the smell before they settle. 

• Vacuum Carpets and Upholstery: Vacuuming helps remove particles that settle on carpets and upholstery. For an even deeper clean you can use steam cleaners 
• Wash Curtains and Linens: Fabrics tend to hold onto smells easily. For a quick clean, you can add a cup of white vinegar to hot water to add an extra kick. 
• Freshen Fabrics with Baking Soda: If washing is not possible you can for things like a carpet or furniture, you can use baking soda. Sprinkle some over the surface and leave overnight to absorb the smell before using a vacuum cleaner.

Wipe Down Hard Surfaces

Vape residue can settle on hard surfaces like walls, countertops, and furniture. This leaves behind a sticky top layer which traps odors. 

• Wipe Down Walls: Use a solution of warm water and mild dish soap to wipe down walls. Make sure to clean the areas around windows and lights where vapor might gather.
• Clean Furniture and Countertops: Microfiber cloths and cleaners can be used to wipe down furniture, countertops, and any other hard surfaces. For wooden surfaces, it is best if you use a cleaner that will not damage the wood. 
• Don’t Forget the Floors: Hard floors can be mopped every day with vinegar and water solution.

Quick DIY Remedies

Sometimes, quick and natural solutions are the best way to get rid of the vape smell. For this, you can use common household items which can also be an eco-friendly solution to remove vape smells. 

• Baking Soda: Baking Soda can absorb odor easily. It is best to sprinkle some on your carpets, and upholstery overnight then vacuum clean afterward.
• Activated Charcoal: Activated charcoal is also another thing you can use to neutralize odors. It can be great for smaller spaces like cars or closets. Place small bags of activated charcoal for a day or two to soak up the smell.
• White Vinegar: Leave a bowl of vinegar where you think the smell is the strongest for a few hours or overnight. You can also use this to wipe down tables and other hard surfaces.
• Essential Oils: Invest in natural oils or scented candles to freshen the air in your room. You can add a few drops of essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus in a diffuser mixed with water. 

Best Ways to Eliminate Vape Smell from Your Car

There is no doubt that those who vape will almost always vape in a car. However, over time this smell can leave behind a subtle odor that clings to the carpets and upholstery. Here are some ways you can get rid of vape smells from cars.

Clean the Interior Regularly

As the vapor can sink into fabrics cleaning the cockpit is the only way you can get rid of smell. 

• Vacuum Seats and Floor Mats: Vacuum the seats, floor mats, and any fabric surfaces to remove particles that catch the smell. 
• Steam Clean for Deeper Results: For stubborn smells, you can take your car to a car wash for a deep steam clean. 
• Fabric Deodorizer Spray: It is best to keep a car air freshener in your car to have it smell great at all times. 

Keep The Cockpit Well Ventilated & Use Air Purifiers 

When vaping in the car you can make adjustments to the airflow to improve the air quality inside. 

• Ventilate the Car: Try to keep the windows or sunroof open when vaping. You can also do this after vaping for a few minutes to let fresh air in. 
• Run the AC/Heater: Turn the air conditioning or heater with the windows down to push out stale air. If your car is old, you can replace your cabin air filter as vapor particles can accumulate there. 
• Portable Air Purifiers: A small air purifier designed for cars with HEPA filters can go a long way. These can fit in your cup holder and help filter out vape particles. 

Portable Odor Eliminators

When you need a quick fix, portable odor eliminators are a handy way to neutralize vape smells on the go.

• Odor-Eliminating Sprays: Look for sprays designed to remove and not just cover up smells. Car sprays with enzymes or essential oils can neutralize smells without leaving behind harmful chemicals. 
• Activated Charcoal Bags: Like your room, you can also leave activated charcoal bags in your car. Placed them under seats or in the trunk to continuously absorb smell from the air. The good thing about this is that they can be reused by placing them in the sun to restore them.
• Car Air Fresheners with Odor Neutralizers: Some car air fresheners are specifically designed to neutralize odors. Invest in anti-tobacco fragrances to remove the vape smell from cars. However, we do not recommend using this in the regular as they have toxic chemicals unsafe to use in closed spaces. 

How to Get Vape Smell Out of Clothes?

If you wear heavy clothing like jackets or sweaters, vapor can accumulate over time changing how they smell. 

Here’s how you can keep your clothes smelling fresh.

Wash After Heavy Vaping 

Washing your clothes as soon as possible after vaping is one of the best ways to make sure no residue sticks to them Here are a few tips to follow when washing your clothes. 

• Use Hot Water (When Appropriate): It is best to hot water when washing clothes as it can remove oils and residue from vape liquids. Make sure the clothes you wash can be cleaned with hot water first otherwise, you may end up doing more harm than good. 
• Add White Vinegar: Along with your detergent, you can add a cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle. 
• Use Baking Soda for Extra Odor Removal: If you think a regular wash is not cutting it, sprinkle half a cup of baking soda directly into the washing machine.
• Avoid Fabric Softeners: Fabric softeners are great but in case of getting rid of vape smell, they can mask the smell rather than getting rid of it.  

Use Fabric Fresheners

If washing is not the first thing on your do to list, using sprays can be a quick but temporary solution to getting rid of the vape smell. 

• Fabric Refreshing Sprays: Carry a portable fabric deodorizer if you cannot wash your clothes immediately after vaping. 
• DIY Essential Oil Mist: As a natural alternative, you can mix water with a few drops of essential oil like lavender, eucalyptus, or tea tree oil in a spray bottle. Carry this around and mist your clothes when you think your clothes give out an unpleasant vape smell. 
• Baking Soda in Your Closet: For added effects, you can place an open box of baking soda in your closet or dresser to help keep vape smells from clinging to your clothes over time. 

Pro Tip: Try to hang your clothes under sunlight for a few hours after using fabric fresheners. Fresh air can do wonders when paired with the tips above.

Recommended Products for Removing Vape Smell

Here are a few products that you can consider investing in to get rid of the vape smell from your room, car, or closet. 

Air Purifiers

Air purifiers are one of the most effective ways to remove vape odors from the air. Here are a few products you can look into:

• LEVOIT Core 300 Air Purifier: This air purifier comes with a HEPA filter and activated carbon making it great for trapping smoke vapor, and odor-causing particles. It’s compact and can be used for rooms or even a mid-size car. 
• Coway Mighty Air Purifier: The Coway Mighty is even better with a four-stage filtration system. It is very quiet which makes it a great choice for bedrooms or living spaces.
• Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier: This is a mighty one and has both a particle filter and an activated carbon filter. If you vape in a large room like a living room this can come of great use. 

Odor-Eliminating Sprays

Here are a few odor-eliminating sprays that you can use as an on-the-go solution to get rid of vape smell. 

• Zero Odor Multi-Purpose Odor Eliminator: This odor eliminator is great for getting rid of vape smells as it works at a molecular level. It can remove the smell without leaving any sign of strong fragrance.
• Febreze FABRIC: Febreze has been in the game of eliminating smells of all sorts for years. This fabric spray targets trapped odors in soft surfaces like upholstery, curtains, and clothing. 
• Ozium Air Sanitizer: Ozium can be very useful in cars or any small space. Instead of being a temporary solution it it sanitizes the air around you to remove any vape smell.

Preventive Measures to Stop Vape Smell from Lingering

The best way to deal with vape smells is to prevent them from building up in the first place. Here are some preventive measures that you can take from the get-go. 

Proper Ventilation While Vaping

Good ventilation can let fresh air circulate in places where you vape regularly. This way you can reduce the chance of vapor particles clinging to surfaces and fabrics.

• Crack Open Windows: Whenever and wherever you vape, keep the windows open and let fresh air in. 
• Turn On Fans: always keep a ceiling or table fan on with the windows open for better air circulation. Try to keep the A/C with the fan option turned on in your car too.
• Vape Outside When Possible: Like smoking a cigarette, it is best to vape outdoors. 

Regular Cleaning of Vaping Devices

Believe it or not, your vaping device itself can be a major source of lingering smells. Residual vape juice left in the tank or coils can break down over time, releasing odors even when you're not actively vaping.

• Clean Your Tank Regularly: Vape juice residue can build up in your tank which can lead to vapes smelling bad. Regularly empty and clean the tank with warm water or use a cloth to wipe down the interior. 
• Replace Coils Frequently: Overused coils can also trap the flavor of the essence of the vape juice you had last. 
• Wipe Down Your Device: Residue from vape juice can easily drip onto the exterior of your device through the airflow controller. Sometimes it can also leak through damaged tanks.

Pave Your Way To Vaping Odor-Free 

Everything we mentioned here today is not that difficult to do. It all boils down to personal habits like washing clothes or cleaning rooms and car interiors. Getting rid of vape smell doesn’t have to be a challenge. You can quickly eliminate vape smells by following the best practices we outlined here today.

To take the next step you can invest in air purifiers, sprays, and natural solutions to neutralize lingering smells. For more tips on maintaining a fresh and clean space out our related content and product recommendations for a fresher home today!

Learn effective and easy methods to clean your vape pen with this step-by-step guide.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Does vape smell linger longer than cigarette smoke?

Unlike cigarette smoke, vapor is lighter and more subtle. However, they can still linger if you’re using sweet or fruity vape flavors. Another thing to consider is that you vape for longer than you smoke a cigarette. So the chances of vape smell lingering are far higher than that of cigarette smoke.

What are the quickest ways to get rid of the vape smell in a car?

The quickest way to get rid of vape smells from your car is to open windows and let fresh air in. You can also use a portable air purifier for added freshen when in the car. In terms of cleaning, make sure you use proper products to clean the upholstery every few weeks. You can also place activated charcoal bags under the seats to absorb lingering odors over time.

Can I use natural products to remove the vape smell?

Natural products like baking soda, white vinegar, essential oils, and activated charcoal can do wonders to remove the vape smell. These are also eco-friendly solutions if you looking for a non-toxic and affordable method to remove smells.

How do I prevent the vape smell from sticking to my clothes?

It is best to vape in well-ventilated areas to prevent vape smells from sticking to your clothes. Regularly do laundry as soon as possible after vaping. If you are unable to do so use fabric fresheners or air out your clothes outdoors. 

What is the best air purifier for a vape smell?

The best air purifiers to use to get rid of ape smell are those that have come with HEPA and activated carbon filters. Check out the products from LEVOIT and Coway as these have many to choose from in different sizes.