Help! Got to get rid of the smell in my car...

[lalalonglegs]

I spilled a huge tub of paint in the back of the car but managed to get it out with paintbrush restoring fluid. The problem is that the car absolutely reeks of chemicals now - seriously, you have to open the window within seconds of getting in or you'd faint. We only have on-street parking so can't leave the windows open all night to give it a good airing so what can we do? We have to drive 3 hours up the M1 in a couple of weeks and there is no way we can do that unless we get rid of the smell first... Any tips, no matter how weird, considered.

Try half an onion in there.

a dish of white vinegar left in the car overnight is fantastic at absorbing smells. as it is a strong smell i'd use a few dishes/tubs of vinegar.

Bicarbonate of soda solution is great for absorbing smells - but no idea whenther it would cope with such a strong chemical whiff. Got to be worth a try, though!

Or maybe use lighter fluid on the affected area - it's a thinner, more volatile typer of solvent so might lift out the remaining chemicals. You would need to ventilate the car thoroughly for a few hours afterwards, though.

Something in my head is saying halved potatoes absorb smells?
What about tumble dryer sheets?!

Onions do absorb smells. Failing that, can you shell out for a professional valet?

I have a vision of all these things going in the car tonight!

bbq charcaol its suppossed to absorb the smell

ground coffee worked for cigarette smells in mine so may be worth a go

Panzee - your vision is correct - the fridge and larder have been raided and the back of my car is now looking like a salad bar . Thanks so much for all the tips - I only hope that one of them absorbs all the smells - I'll report back.

I've heard the onion one recommended for when you're gloss painting in a room so that sounds promising.

i saw the bbq charcoal on a kim and aggie program :)

Car still whiffy but definitely not as bad - thanks to you all for your advice.