If you are a smoker, there is a good chance that you have smoked in your car plenty of times. Although it might not seem like a big deal, it can be an issue for the person who is purchasing your vehicle. Luckily, there are a few ways that you can help make your car more appealing to potential buyers.

1. Use the Baking Soda Trick

Did you know that baking soda is a great neutralizer for getting rid of odors in a smoked-in car? If you sprinkle baking soda on the floors and seats and allow it to sit for several hours, you can suck up a lot of the odor with a vacuum cleaner. Another wonderful tip is to place cups full of baking soda in the cup holders. Shut the doors, allow the car to sit overnight, and remove the cups. During the night, the baking soda should have soaked up a lot of the odor. You may need to follow this tip several times to get the best possible effect.

2. Have it Detailed

Professionals at an auto detailing shop typically have the cleaning supplies, equipment and know-how to make a smoked-in car smell a whole lot fresher. For example, these professionals generally clean out the vents and shampoo the carpet, headliner and seats, which can make your car look and smell a whole lot better. If you let your auto detailing shop know that you are concerned about the smoke smell, they can pay extra attention to help get rid of the odor.

3. Purchase New Seat Covers

Smoking in your car can cause the seats to become discolored over time, and there is always the chance that the seats have been burned by cigarettes. By purchasing new seat covers, you can help cover up this damage and make your car look its best. The buyer may still want to take a look at the actual seats, but he or she might not be as bothered by them if there are nice seat covers on top.

Although cars that have been smoked in often have a tobacco odor, and even though smoking can discolor the seats and cause other problems, you should be able to find a great home for your used car anyway. Follow these three tips, and your car should look and smell its best when it's time to show it to potential buyers.