Cleaning the Headliner

[dgwood12]

So I purchased a 2008 4Runner back in February from a casual smoker who smoked in the vehicle a couple of times. I have a very sensitive sense of smell and took the vehicle to a local detailing center and had a full interior detail with an ozone treatment done. The smell was gone for a few days but then returned a little less strong than before. I had the treatment done once more and the smell is again more faint than before but still recognizable.

The reason for the ozone treatment is to pull the smell out of the headliner which is too fragile to shampoo like the rest of the interior. Well, since the ozone treatment hasn't quite eliminated the smell I was thinking of gently cleaning the headliner to try to get the rest of the smell out.

Has anyone ever cleaned the headliner in their 4Runner? If so, how did it turn out? Did it damage it at all? I am hoping to get some recommendations on a safe way to clean it to eliminate the smell or if anyone has any other ideas to kill the smoke smell.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

I'm a 3rd gen guy but I took mine OUT and cleaned it with a bissel carpet cleaner as if it were a piece of furniture. Its a huge pain to drop a headliner but it gives you access to the back of it as well. I took the opportunity to put dynamat on the roof for sound deadening purposes as well.

 

[dgwood12]

I'm a 3rd gen guy but I took mine OUT and cleaned it with a bissel carpet cleaner as if it were a piece of furniture. Its a huge pain to drop a headliner but it gives you access to the back of it as well. I took the opportunity to put dynamat on the roof for sound deadening purposes as well.

How did the carpet cleaner work on it? I was afraid something like that would be too aggressive on the material.

 

[HokieRunner]

I'd have to agree with Josh (Whitson). Pulling the headliner is a pain in the *** but might be worth it if you're still detecting the smell. The headliner is a bit fragile but if you take your time and care with it, you should be alright. If you decide to go this route and have any questions, let me know as I figured out a few tricks in the process.

And DEF dynamat it while you're at it too! Really makes a huge difference.

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

Carpet cleaner worked fine, the headliner is tougher than you think, at least mine was. I didn't have any issue with the fabric separating or anything like that. Just take your time since its held up there by seemingly every interior trim piece.

 

[dgwood12]

Carpet cleaner worked fine, the headliner is tougher than you think, at least mine was. I didn't have any issue with the fabric separating or anything like that. Just take your time since its held up there by seemingly every interior trim piece.

I used to own a 3rd gen and the headliner was a different material than what the 4th gen is. I think I will be Ok gently washing it though

 

[zopperman]

oulling the ehadliner on the 4th gen isnt horrbile

you have all the handles and the dome lights, the visors, the pillars

then its got a bunch of heavy duty velco, i found it easiest to put a screwdriver in between the pieces of velcro to separate them

 

[97BlackAckCL]

I would use a steam cleaner for sure

 

[NasaE30]

Try Folex. Wipe in one direction and blot dry with a terry cloth towel

 

[HokieRunner]

There's also the wiring harness for the headliner which runs down the driver side A pillar. This will need to be unplugged and strung up through the dash for the headliner removal.

 

[mikebontoft]

at least we have hatches.... try pulling one from a sedan

 

[dgwood12]

Man, the more tips I get, the more complicated it sounds! Haha. I'm wondering how feasible it would be to clean while in place...

 

[NasaE30]

I wouldnt bother trying to drop it to clean. Just do it in place.

 

[JCTanner]

Man, the more tips I get, the more complicated it sounds! Haha. I'm wondering how feasible it would be to clean while in place...

Sorry to dig up a OLD post, but searching the forums didn't get me my answer.

I'm in the same boat. Just purchased a 2008 T4R V8 Sport and the previous owner was a smoker.

Did you end up cleaning in place?
Steam clean? or Carpet Cleaner?

And was it worth the time? Did it help?

Thanks!

 

[firebirdguy]

i light cleaning with a resolve type carpet cleaner will help a lot. but i think the best option is to use a few applications of febreeze & leave the windows open as much as possible. & get a vent air freshener for the time being. smoke smell will fade or go away after using febreze & some time.

 

[JCTanner]

Thanks Firebird.

I have applied Febreeze about 3 times so far. It seems to be helping a little.

Sadly I'm located in Chicago, so leaving the windows down to vent is a no go.

So the resolve type cleaner didn't damage the liner?
I'll keep this in mind.

Thanks.

 

[firebirdguy]

Thanks Firebird.

I have applied Febreeze about 3 times so far. It seems to be helping a little.

Sadly I'm located in Chicago, so leaving the windows down to vent is a no go.

So the resolve type cleaner didn't damage the liner?
I'll keep this in mind.

Thanks.

chicago because of the current weather or because of the crime?? if the weather, that will change soon, supposed to be 60+ this weekend. if the crime, unfortunately that wont change for the better in that area but maybe leave them open during the day or when you can watch the car? or at least every time you drive it.

the resolve brand cleaner shouldnt damage the headliner as far as stains go but be sure to test in a small area first, maybe in the back corner. spray lightly & follow directions. there are many other automotive carpet/upholstery cleaners that should work too.

ive bought vehicles & furniture from smokers as well & the smell did go away, took 1-2 years but it did go away with some febreze & cleaning & time.

 

[Flyer]

Spray some carpet shampoo diluted in water quite a bit and then scrub with a damp white terry cloth gently. Make sure it is not getting discolored by testing it first. I'd keep rinsing that terry cloth in a bucket of hot water. Once you are done, let it sit in the sun all day with the windows open. Then see how it smells once dry. Don't forget to wipe down the entire car with warm water and steam clean the carpeting and seating surfaces as well. A car detail place will do all this for you except maybe not the headliner...not sure.

 

[Bluesky 07]

Have you tried OdoBan? I’ve had good luck with it (though it wasn’t the headliner).