How to Get Rid of Smoke Smell

Smoking cigarettes is hard on the body, especially the lungs and it has one other nasty habit as well. It clings to every available surface! If you do not smoke or recently quit you know exactly what it smells like, acrid and in severe cases not unlike a skunk. So what do you do to freshen the house if you have quit smoking or inherited property from someone else who smoked? Fresh air is a good option, but it is not the only one.

1. Cigarette smoke gets on and in everything including sheets, pillows, blinds, furniture, carpet and curtains. The most certain way to remove smoke odor is to begin systematically cleaning everything. You will want to remove all wall hangings, curtains, blinds and bedding to begin your de-smoke process. In severe cases, you may actually want to hire a service to come in and steam clean every conceivable fabric.
2. The best cleaning solution for cigarette smoke odors is vinegar. You can use it to clean windows, walls and other hard surfaces in the home. It may not be the best answer for fabrics, though you could add a cup full to the wash for curtains, bedding and clothing. Some people complain that vinegar too has an odor, which is true, however this smell will fade taking the smoke odor with it. Besides vinegar is the one substance guaranteed to cut through resin and tar left behind from cigarette smoke.
3. The longer you can leave the windows open on a home or car infested with smoke odors the better. Fresh air allows tar and resin particles to dissipate thereby cleansing the air of all the odors. Leave the windows open all day if possible every couple of days and you will soon be rid of this foul odor.
4. Is there any odor that can defeat baking soda? So far, the answer to that question is no! Baking soda can be sprinkled on carpet, beds, furniture and other items that are non-washable for all intents and purposes and can be used as a scrubbing powder for kitchen counters, sinks and appliances. Did we mention that cigarette residue gets everywhere?
5. When it comes to deeply imbedded odors in your carpet and furniture, you have a couple of choices, throw it out and replace it or try a steam cleaner. If you do not own your own machine, they can be rented at many retailers and hardware stores. Within a days’ time you can have the average home completely steam cleaned saving yourself some money on the rental. It is a good idea to use the recommended solutions for these machines to prevent damage. When you own your own you can try different solutions to cut odors, one favorite trick for carpet is to add a tiny bit of liquid fabric softener to the water. Of course, do so at your own risk!
6. Cigarette smoking is bad for you and everyone around you, not to mention it leaves a nasty smell in your home and automobile. If you can quit, good, but if not you can expect a regular round of cleaning to keep the odors manageable. In your vehicle you can also use fresh air, steam cleaning, baking soda sprinkled about or place a piece of bread on a paper towel under the seat overnight. Toss the bread and the odors the next morning.