How to Remove Pepper Spray Smell from a Car Interior
Pepper spray is mostly used as tear gas by the police force or as a self-defense tool for individuals. It’s a great deterrent that protects you from attackers as it burns the eyes and skin.
However, if sprayed accidentally in the car, you have to resort to a quick remedy as soon as possible before it clings to the car’s surfaces.
If this is the case, here are simple solutions to remove the pepper spray smell from a car interior.
Materials required
- Car shampoo
- Fabric cloth
- A water-based upholstery cleaner such as Chemical Guys SPI_993_16.
- Water
- Dish detergent
- Rubber gloves
How to get pepper spray smell out of a car
Below are steps on how to get rid of the pepper spray smell in different sections of the car:
Method 1
- Open the car doors and windows to allow air circulation in the car. You can also run the exhaust fan to eliminate pepper spray in the air.
- Spray a water-based upholstery cleaner and use a clean fabric cloth to wipe the car seats and interior.
- Rinse it off the car with clean water and a damp cloth.
- Leave the car interior and seats to dry while the doors and windows remain open.
- Sniff them to determine whether the smell has worn off, or you’ll have to repeat the process.
Method 2
- Use two drops of dish detergent and water to clean the pepper spray smell from a car interior. You should wear protective rubber gloves and cover your mouth for this process to protect your hands.
- Rinse the surfaces with a damp fabric cloth and dry them with a paper towel or cloth.
- Repeat the process if the pepper spray has not subsided.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
These are the most commonly asked questions about pepper spray smell.
What makes pepper spray smell?
Pepper spray contains oleoresin capsicum (OC), an oily resin extracted from the pepper plant Capsicum.
The chemical causes eye irritation, coughing, and temporary blindness.
What dissolves pepper spray?
Pepper spray can be dissolved using a degreasing, non-oil-based soap such as dish detergent.
Natural air circulation or fanning also does the trick in getting rid of pepper spray indoors.
How long does pepper spray in a car?
Since a car often has little or no ventilation, the pepper spray smell may last an hour or longer.
Therefore, it’s best to open windows and doors and turn on the car ventilator to get the pepper spray smell out of the upholstery.
What is the best way to get rid of the pepper spray smell?
The best way to remove the pepper spray smell from a car interior is by using water and dishwashing soap since it is not oil-based.
It would be best to leave the doors and windows open to allow the smell to flow out of the car.
Avoid using oil-based solutions or sprays to clean the pepper spray since it is also oil-based and will worsen the problem.
More resources
How to Get Pepper Spray Smell Out of Car
The aroma of pepper spray is one of those smells that is difficult to describe. One of the best descriptions we have found is that it’s something like cutting onions, only 100 times stronger. It’s this distinctive aroma that makes it such an effective deterrent against an attacker. One shot of this stuff to the face, and the burning of the skin and eyes will stop a would-be criminal in his tracks. If you carry this stuff for self-defense and it gets spilled in your car by mistake, you will want to eliminate the scent as soon as possible.
Even though the initial onslaught of burning will only last for a relatively short time, it’s possible to get a lingering whiff of the pepper spray later. It can cling to soft surfaces in the vehicle for some time. If the spray gets into your ventilation system, you could be treated to this particularly nasty smell every time you turn on the car’s air conditioning system. You will want to be sure that you have eliminated all traces of the spray from your ride by giving it a thorough cleaning. This step will save you from inhaling Eau de Ant Killer when you are traveling on the freeway.
How to Get Pepper Spray Out of Car
1 Crack Open the Doors and Windows
The best thing you can do to get rid of the smell of pepper spray is bring some air into your vehicle. Get the windows and doors open right away. Run the exhaust fan, too. The sooner you can lower the stankiness in the car, the sooner it will be easier for you to breathe in there.
2 Shampoo Car Seats
The cloth car seats will need to be shampooed to get rid of this special kind of funkiness. Use cool water and upholstery shampoo to clean them. Rinse well to remove all traces of the detergent. Let the seats dry thoroughly. Give them a sniff to determine whether you need to repeat the process.
3 Wipe Down All the Vinyl and Leather Surfaces
All the vinyl and leather surfaces inside the vehicle will need to be wiped down to get rid of the pepper spray smell. You can use a dish detergent and cool water for this purpose. Be sure to wear gloves to protect your hands. Rinse well after wiping off the affected spots.
4 Clean Glass with Dish Detergent
Use dish detergent and cool water to wipe down the glass in your ride. You don’t need to use a large amount of soap to deal with the stank issue. Add a drop of detergent to a small pail of water to get started. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands. Wash the glass in sections. Dry with a soft cloth or paper towels before moving on to the next section.
Published by
Joe Fresh
Joe is an odor combatant, chemistry extraordinaire and all around good guy. He has an over-productive olfactory system with absolutely zero tolerance for unpleasant aromas. View all posts by Joe Fresh
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