There are many reasons as to why your car could start to smell. Maybe you just bought the car and it smells like smoke, or perhaps you have left a stinky gym bag in your car for a little too long.
These odors won’t be easy to get rid of until you use a different cleaning method. What is ozone treatment for cars and will it work for these odors?
In this article, I talk about the basics of something called ozone treatment for automobiles, and how you can do it yourself. I also discuss when you should do this, the benefits of this method, and the average cost. Finally, I demonstrate how long it should take.
What is an Ozone Treatment for Cars?
Ozone treatment uses ozone gas (O3) to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and odors from the car’s interior. An ozone generator is placed inside the vehicle, so the gas penetrates any odors and neutralizes them. Ozone is effective for odor removal that cannot be removed with conventional treatment.
Ozone gas is able to get to places that other cleaners can’t. Ozone gas can penetrate vents, under seats, inside the fiber of the upholstery, and into every crevice of the vehicle. Since ozone is one of the most powerful sterilizing agents, ozone can break down whatever molecules are in order to destroy them.
When Should Ozone Car Treatment Be Done?
There is no need for ozone treatments on a regular schedule. This work is done on an as-needed basis. For example, if you buy a used car that had been smoked in, you might only need to do one ozone treatment, and after that never have to think about it again.
Most common reason to get ozone treatment would be for the smell of tobacco smoking. There is a hidden chemical contained in smoke called phenol.
This can cause irritation of the respiratory tract and the eyes. With ozone car treatment, phenol will be completely neutralized. You won’t just eliminate the odor; you’ll destroy all of those molecules.
Benefits of Using Ozone in Car
#1. Neutralizes Odor.
The best way to eliminate odors in a car is with an ozone generator. It’s easy to find cheap air fresheners or clean the inside with baking soda, but odors usually remain.
Ozone is different. It can eliminate some of the worst odors. Ozone eliminates smoke, pet odors, mildew, urine odors, body odors, vomit, and so much more.
#2. Reaches Tough Places.
Odors can become trapped in places that normal cleaners cannot access. Ozone seeks out and destroys odors even in the tightest places.
Ozone can penetrate air vents and fabric. It is also great at going deep into upholstery, roof and carpets.
#3. Kills Bacteria/Microorganisms.
Bacteria causes odor, and usually, it is the microorganism creating the smell – which is really just a byproduct of a larger issue.
Ozone treatment will kill off (never mask) the bacteria left in the vehicle. Instead of just putting a fresh smell over the odor, you are killing the microorganisms causing it.
#4. Keeps the Car Fresh.
You could spray air fresheners or buy a little tree to hang from the mirror, but that scent is just covering up the odors. Nothing can get your car smelling fresh again like new.”
“To have a car smelling fresh the only way to do that is by removing everything causing the odors. Once ozonated, you then know the smell has been neutralized, leaving you with a clean slate.”
How to Do Ozone Treatment in Car?
To carry out an ozone treatment in your vehicle, you should acquire an ozone generator. You will then want to remove all trash and debris from the car, and vacuum and clean the interior.
Once that is done, place the ozone generator inside the vehicle and activate it to run until it’s finished.
Here are additional details to guide you through an ozone treatment:
#1. Rent/Buy an Ozone Generator.
If you’re considering recurring car cleanings, it’s best to purchase the ozone generator for future use. Otherwise, you might want to rent it from a local business, if you only need to use it once.
Renting the ozone generator won’t be cheap either, but you won’t have to pay the full price. Just use caution to understand how long you’ll get to use it, or you’ll incur the cost of the rental if it goes over the time you had allotted.
If you don’t have an ozone generator laying around, or can’t justify the cost of getting one just for use once, then you’ll probably want to go take your car to a local professional detailing business.
Using the ozone generator incorrectly can cause bodily harm to you and damage your car, so unless you know what you are doing, it is safest to have a professional dealer do it. It is important you read and follow the instructions provided by the ozone generator. I can explain more about this later in this article.
#2. Clean Out the Car.
Prior to eliminating odors, you want to rid the car of anything that doesn’t belong in the car. Get rid of trash, take your personal items. Items can be stained by the ozone generator so don’t leave anything behind that means something to you.
Vacuum the car out to get rid of any crumbs or debris. it also helps to wipe all of the surfaces down with an interior cleaner and rag.
#3. Set Up Ozone Machine.
The ozone generator has a flexible duct that attaches to the generator, and while most machines come with a duct, you can always purchase one from a hardware store. Ensure that the duct is on tight against the window so there are not any leaks.
Seal off the vehicle. You want to ensure all windows and doors are closed, except for the window with the ducted hose. Duct tape and cardboard can be used to seal the window. The generator must remain outside of the vehicle.
#4. Run Ozone Generator.
Activate the ozone generator and run it per the instructions. It’s always recommended to read the owner’s manual first.
In most cases, you will want it to run at full power for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Avoid sitting inside the car and does not let any animals enter while it is running.
#5. Air Out Vehicle.
After turning off your ozone generator, you will need to allow for a period of time for the car to air out. There will be an odd smell of ozone at first, which is normal and will completely dissipate over a few days.
You should ensure that every door and window is opened enough to let the fresh air circulate through the inside of the vehicle. If odors still exist, you can run the same treatment again once the vehicle is able to breathe properly.
How Long Does Ozone Car Treatment Take?
Ozone treatment times depend on the specifics of the machine and the seriousness of the odors, but generally will take between thirty minutes and two hours of machine run time.
To start with, you will want to read any instructions that the ozone generator may have to determine the appropriate run time.
It may take you an hour or so to clean out the car and set the generator, and then beyond that actual generator run time will be anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours.
Overall, it is certainly best to allocate four total hours for the cleaning period. You will also need to factor in that you will not want to operate the vehicle right away, and it should sit for a while to air out.
What is the Cost of Ozone Car Treatment?
If you want a professional detailer to perform the ozone treatment expect to pay $50-100. If you want to buy a machine that you can use more than once expect to pay $75-500 for a decent sized generator.
Renting an ozone generator may be a somewhat cheaper option, but you won’t get to use the machine more than once.
Does ozone remove smoke smell from a car?
Yes, ozone treatment can remove smoke smell from a car, although it may not be 100% effective. Smoking in a car for a short time or when the smoke is fresh is most likely to be completely removed by using ozone treatment.
Will an ozone generator damage my car’s electronics?
There is evidence that ozone can damage electronics in a car; however, it not known how much ozone will produce this type of damage. In general, if you use an ozone generator designed for cars, and follow the directions, the risk of damage is very low.
Will an Ozone generator damage my car’s interior?
An ozone generator may damage your car’s interior, but it depends on how the ozone generator is used, and what material the interior is made from. Overall, if the ozone generator is being used to remove odors from the car, and instructions are being followed, it is not likely there will be too many issues.
If you are concerned that any damage will occur to your cars interior or electronics, speak to a professional detailer, they will be able to ensure that there is no damage.
Are car ozone generators safe?
Ozone generators can be safe when used properly but can also be unsafe when used wrong. Ozone is a strong oxidant and can be hazardous to your health when you breathe uncontaminated concentrated ozone gas.
So it is important that you use an ozone generator properly and take serious precautions to prevent breathing the ozone gas.
Ozone treatment is one of the finest ways to clean your care and also remove unwanted odors. The process for treating a car with ozone is fairly simple and uncomplicated.
With that said, there are some dangers associated with the entire treatment process, and this procedure should only be completed by a knowledgeable professional.
If for any reason you aren’t feel like you may have the proper knowledge, or are unnerved about causing damage to something, then let a professional convey out the ozone treatment job.
They have most likely performed the exact same process on thousands of cars, and know what works and also what probably won’t work, and its almost always fairly reasonable on cost too.