How to Eliminate Cannabis Smell From Clothes, Cars, and Rooms Quickly

The odor from cannabis smoke can be an unfortunate downside to smoking cannabis for many consumers. Perhaps you need to sell your car, but that lingering smoke smell just won’t come out. Maybe you toked up before an event but don’t want others to smell it on your clothing. We’ve all been there, so we put together a list of tried-and-true methods you can use to get the cannabis smell out of your clothes, car, or room.

1. What Causes the Smell of Cannabis?
2. Best Ways to Eliminate Cannabis Smell on You
3. Preventing the Smell of Cannabis at Home
4. Covering Up the Smell of Cannabis in Your Car
5. Hiding the Smell of Cannabis in a Small Apartment or Dorm
6. Consider Consuming Cannabis Without Smoking
7. Final Takeaway

What Causes the Smell of Cannabis?

In 2021, a research team linked a class of compounds known as volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) to the unique, skunky smell of cannabis. VSCs don’t operate alone, however; aromatic compounds in cannabis known as terpenes also play a role. Terpenes give plants their unique scents along with additional therapeutic benefits.

Most cannabis plants are dominant in either myrcene or caryophyllene. Myrcene, a terpene that’s also predominant in hops and lemongrass,  delivers scent notes that are herbaceous, spicy, earthy, and musky. Strains heavy in myrcene could potentially produce a more potent smell. Myrcene, which is also found in mangos, gives cannabis a mildly sweet flavor profile.

The strongest factor in the way cannabis smells is the age of the cannabis plant when it’s harvested. Cannabis that’s harvested earlier in its life cycle has a milder, less skunky scent. It’s also less powerful when you smoke it. Cannabis that grows older before it’s picked and dried will have a stronger odor. There are several strains you could consider for cultivation and consumption that have a less intense smell, such as Jack Herer or Durban Poison.

Best Ways to Eliminate Cannabis Smell on You

The best products for eliminating cannabis odor on yourself are the same products used to make yourself smell better normally. We’re talking about hand sanitizer, body spray, scented lotion, mouthwash, breath strips, and gum. Using these trusty go-to’s in combination is sure to dial down the stench. The best part is you can keep these products in your bag or in your car so that they’re at your fingertips when you need them.

Something else that many people are not aware of is that clothing type matters. Clothing made of natural fibers—think cotton, bamboo, wool, and linen—don’t retain odor like synthetic fibers do. This is due to the fact that fabrics made from natural fibers are breathable. Some examples of synthetic fibers to avoid are rayon, spandex, nylon, and polyester—clothing made of these will hold cannabis smell much more than others.

Preventing the Smell of Cannabis at Home

Many folks smoke cannabis inside their homes. Some do so to avoid cold or extreme weather. Medical marijuana patients with mobility issues might not find it feasible to go outside every time they medicate. Others find that it’s just an overall more comfortable option. While cannabis smoke isn’t nearly as strong as cigarette smoke, it can still linger. So, how can you prevent the smell of cannabis at home? Let’s take a look at some available options.

Air Fresheners, Essential Oils, and Candles

First and foremost, you’ll need to crack some windows and get some fresh air in your space, as well as clear out any residual smoke that might be lingering from a previous sesh. Then, you can use some classic room deodorizers, such as Febreze, Ozium, or a different kind of chemical air freshener. A couple of spritzes around your place should be all you need.

If you’d like a more natural option, essential oils, incense, or scented candles are for you. If you’re going the essential oil route, invest in an oil diffuser. You can add water and essential oils to these small devices for a long-lasting stream of scent. Some of the best essential oils you can use for this specific purpose are eucalyptus, peppermint, sandalwood, citrus, and lavender. Mix and match however you please, but a popular duo is lavender and peppermint.

Cleaning and Cooking

If you’re able to invest some extra time into deodorizing your house, do a deep clean with lemon-scented cleaning products. If you’re looking for a more natural solution, wipe down surfaces with an equal mix of three parts water and one part distilled or white vinegar with some lemon essential oil added to achieve the same effect.

If you’re willing to invest a bit of money into deodorizing your house, get a Eucalyptus plant, which has a strong, minty, earthy smell that can help cancel out any cannabis odor. Place the eucalyptus plant where you typically light up. You can also put the plant in your bathroom, as the eucalyptus provides health benefits when combined with the steam from the shower.

Another way to cover up cannabis odor is through cooking. If you’re trying to mask the smoke odor, opt for vegetables with strong smells, such as garlic, broccoli, and onions. So, treat yourself to a delicious curry or maybe some enchiladas to cover up any cannabis odor after a smoke session.

Covering Up the Smell of Cannabis in Your Car

A cannabis lover’s best buddy in the car is an air freshener. If your car has seen a hotbox or two, you definitely need to open up all those windows to get the cannabis smoke out and the fresh air into the interior of the vehicle before you do anything else. Then, invest in a few air fresheners. You can get one that hangs from your rearview mirror or attaches to your vent.

If your vehicle is in desperate need of a good deep clean, you may need more than just air fresheners. Baking soda is a great natural deodorizer that can be sprinkled on all your seats and carpets, left overnight, and then vacuumed up in the morning. It’s also a good idea to keep a travel-sized odor eliminator spray, such as Ozium, on deck. That way you can give your car a good spray after smoking.

If all else fails, getting the interior of your car professionally cleaned regularly can also help with keeping the cannabis smell under control. Vacuuming your car regularly will take care of any flower crumbs, ash, etc. that may be contributing to that lingering cannabis smell.

Hiding the Smell of Cannabis in a Small Apartment or Dorm

 

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Odor elimination in a small apartment or dorm room is a much different situation than odor elimination in a house. The small space afforded by a studio apartment or dorm can make smells linger longer and smell much stronger because there is less room for them to dissipate naturally.

Let’s start by saying an easy way to prevent odor from your cannabis before you even smoke it is to have proper cannabis storage. Keep your cannabis in an airtight container specifically designed for cannabis storage or a mason jar. This will not only maintain the quality and potency of your product longer but also keep the cannabis odor at bay.

When you’re gearing up for a smoke sesh, consider the following.

Smoke in the Bathroom

One of the best ways to hide cannabis smell is to contain it within the bathroom. Before your bathroom smoke sesh, get the shower running at a hot temperature and open the curtain to allow the steam to spread. After the steam has built up, turn on the bathroom fan. Finally, put a towel in the crack between the floor and door to prevent smoke from escaping. You can turn off the shower when you’re done, but leave the fan on for some time to help the smoke dissipate.

Stock Up on Air Fresheners

This is true for houses, cars, small apartments, or dorms. Air fresheners of all kinds can help mask the cannabis smell from smoking. Whether you light a few candles or spray some Febreze, air fresheners should be your constant smoke buddy if you’re concerned about the smell.

Make a Sploof

A sploof is a DIY device that anyone can make with a toilet paper roll, rubber band, and dryer sheets. Assembly is easy as one, two, three. Simply stuff a toilet paper roll full of dryer sheets and stretch one more dryer sheet over one end of the roll, securing it with a rubber band. Each time you take a hit, blow the smoke through the other end of the sploof (the one that does not have the dryer sheet fitted over it).

The smoke that comes out of the dryer sheet side will smell like fresh laundry, successfully eliminating any cannabis smell. It should be noted that you should probably still smoke near an open window since the smoke from the burnt flower in your bong, pipe, etc. will still emit some odor.

Invest in an Air Purifier

Air purifiers are excellent tools to clean your air indoors thanks to their ability to remove harmful particles and pollutants from the air. The pollutants in cannabis smoke take two forms: particulates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). If you’re thinking of investing in an air purifier, make sure to get an ionizer, PECO air purifier, or HEPA filter. Keep in mind that these air purifiers will need to be maintained or they risk becoming a source of odor themselves.

Use a Window Fan

This is an oldie but a goodie. If you don’t have one already, purchase a basic box fan and place it in your window with the fan blowing air outside. Smoke your cannabis and blow the smoke directly into the back of the fan. It will essentially perform as an exhaust fan, ensuring that most of the offending smoke makes its way outside instead of building up in your apartment or dorm room.

Consider Consuming Cannabis Without Smoking

This may seem obvious, but it’s worth saying—there are other ways to consume cannabis besides smoking. Edibles and vaporizers are popular alternatives to smoking cannabis that you should consider if you need to mask your high.

Cannabis-infused edibles come in many forms, such as gummy candy, chocolate, baked goods, and drinks. You can also purchase sublingual tinctures that provide the same effects and discretion. Quality edibles with consistent dosages are easier to access in states that have recreational cannabis programs. However, you can make your own edibles at home with the correct dosage if you closely follow measurements.

Vaping is another method of consumption that allows you to enjoy the benefits of cannabis without smoking. You can vape flower using an herb vaporizer or vape concentrate using a vape pen. Make sure to purchase these products from reliable sources. It’s especially important to buy concentrates (like vape cartridges) from licensed dispensaries to ensure they were manufactured and tested properly.

Final Takeaway

Now you’re up to speed on everything there is to know about keeping your house, room, or car free of cannabis odor. Always start with some cracked windows and air fresheners—you’ll be amazed at the power of these simple measures. Regular maintenance of your spaces, along with preventative practices like proper storage and use of sploofs, will keep you and your property smelling nice and fresh.

Do you have any personal tricks for stomping out cannabis smoke smell? Let us know in the comments!