Getting rid of the smell of smoke: Cleaning tips and more

Table Of Content

• Go easy on the air freshener
• Getting The Smell Of Cigarettes Out Of The Air
• Step 2: Prepare Cleaning Solution
• Try a deodorizing spray
• Removing Odors from Carpets, Cloth, and Linens

The most common types of smoke are cigarette smoke and smoke from a house fire. When someone smokes tobacco products indoors or has a house catch fire, the resulting smoke can travel throughout the property and leave a persistent odor. Smoke particles are tiny and can easily penetrate porous surfaces such as walls, furniture, carpets and HVAC systems. If you smoke, you’ve probably become used to the smell and don’t realize how strong it is. If you want to get rid of cigarette odor, asking a nonsmoker to sniff out the situation will help.

Go easy on the air freshener

Don’t forget the refrigerator coils, which can get gummed up with cigarette smoke similarly to HVAC coils—but they’re typically not that hard to clean. With any strong households odors, from cigarettes to pets, it’s always best to clean it out rather than cover it up. If you have wall-to-wall carpet, you can try sprinkling baking soda or an odor-reducing product on the carpet, then vacuuming.

The 7 Best Air Purifiers for Smoke - Healthline

The 7 Best Air Purifiers for Smoke.

Posted: Sat, 14 Aug 2021 21:00:15 GMT [source]

Getting The Smell Of Cigarettes Out Of The Air

It’s healthier, smells better, and preserves your property’s resale value. Stop struggling with the smoke smell and discover how to get your walls sparkling white again. Learn tips and tricks to help you along the way, and enhance your smoke removal strategy.

Step 2: Prepare Cleaning Solution

While activated charcoal is often packaged in small fabric bags, it’s also sold in larger containers that can then be used to fill up bags or bowls. The quickest and easiest way of getting cigarette smoke out of the bed and the house is to take steps to prevent the smoke from settling on surfaces in the first place. Here are some easy ways to purify and freshen your home’s air to keep the tobacco smell from accumulating. Place activated charcoal in a bowl or container and set it in areas of your home where you notice cigarette odors.

Try a deodorizing spray

Removing cigarette smoke smell from a wall is a tough task; while it does require significant elbow grease, it’s not impossible. Start by stripping the room; pull down upholstery, throw rugs, couch cushions, pictures, etc. Tobacco residue can stay in the dust, draperies, and carpets and absorbs into both soft and hard materials in a property. This exposed infants to 3–8 times the amount of environmental tobacco smoke in houses not exposed to indoor smoking in an older 2004 report. Fire smoke produces a pungent, acrid odor that is challenging to remove, while cigarette smoke leaves a stale and lingering smell that tends to adhere to surfaces over time. This guide covers how to get smoke smells out of a house and explains the different methods for managing fire smoke and cigarette smoke.

Clean the Walls

Fortunately, there are several ways to remove cigarette smell, whether from an occasional cigarette or long-term smoke damage to the walls and floors. Nothing seems to get into the house and linger quite so much like the smell of smoke. Maybe you’ve accidentally incinerated your breakfast – along with your great start to the day. Maybe you’ve enjoyed a wonderful barbecue in your garden, only to be reminded of it for days to come because you forgot to close your windows.

Next Up In Cleaning

Pay special attention to corners, walls, ceilings and windows, which tend to accumulate a high concentration of smoke particles. It’s possible to make the air smell better by lighting candles and spraying air fresheners, but this is not a long-term fix. If those smoke particles are still present, their odor will linger. Getting rid of the smoke smell in a house requires removing those particles.

Removing Odors from Carpets, Cloth, and Linens

It’s best to remove these pieces from the home and let them “breathe” outside to allow some of the heavy smoke smells to dissipate. This also keeps these items out of the way for heavy cleaning inside the home. If necessary, use a steam cleaner to attack those deeply rooted particles.

You may still notice a lingering smell of tobacco smoke even after cleaning the house since this odor type clings to everything. Follow the instructions for your cleaner and add the appropriate amount of hot water and cleaning solution. Move as much furniture off the carpeting as possible and clean the rug by working in straight overlapping lines from one end to the other. Allow the carpet to air dry before moving the furniture back into place. Most professionals have extensive experience in handling cigarette smoke. Professionals also have access to industrial-strength cleaning solutions that can get your space odor-free.

If the carpet still smells after a second vacuuming, it may be necessary to call a professional or replace the carpet altogether. It can be really difficult to get the smell of smoke out of carpeted floors, but it’s not impossible. Start by sprinkling baking soda all over the carpet—the entire surface should look white to ensure no spots are missed.

The smell of smoke and nicotine can stick to interior walls, window screens, and household linens and carpets, creating an unpleasant smell throughout the home. Smoke odors are caused by leftover resin and tar, which can be difficult to deodorize. Removing smoke odors from your home may require a total cleaning of the house, purifying the air, and even replacing carpets and paint if the smoke damage is particularly extensive.

Hiring an HVAC professional will help you determine how serious the situation is, if the system needs to be cleaned, and if you have additional ductwork that needs to be handled. There are some gadgets that can help you with the process of freshening up your home. Furniture is a close second and can be even harder to clean depending on the material. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Tony Carrick is a freelance writer who has contributed to BobVila.com since 2020. He writes how-to articles and product reviews in the areas of lawn and garden, home maintenance, home improvement, auto maintenance, housewares, and technology.