Top Tips for Removing Cigarette Odor from Your Home for Good

7/26/2021 (Permalink)

Tobacco smoke is a stubborn and stinky villain that can make a home unpleasant.

If you or someone who previously lived in your house smoked, removing that stubborn cigarette odor can seem overwhelming. But you can do it with these top tips for removing cigarette odor from your home. 

Why is Cigarette Odor so Pervasive and Stubborn?

Smells are molecules. And smoke smells are some of the smallest odor molecules in the world. So removing them can be difficult. In addition, these tiny molecules can dig deep into porous materials like wood and upholstery, making them incredibly difficult to eliminate, but not impossibly so. 

To permanently and effectively remove cigarette and smoke odors, you have to attack them on a molecular level. Burning candles and essential oils will only mask the smell temporarily. Ventilating a house can dilute the odor, but again, that’s not a permanent solution. 

Key  Tips:

• Don’t use odor-masking cleaners. Use disinfectant cleaners that actually kill the smoke molecules. 
• If you can’t stand the smell of white vinegar, mix a few drops of lavender essential oil in it. 
• Baking soda will naturally remove odors. Sprinkle it liberally on textiles, mattresses, and wood furniture. Let sit for at least 24 hours, then vacuum. You can also place bowls of baking soda throughout the home to absorb odors. 
• Placing activated charcoal around the house can also absorb the odors. 

Tips for Removing Cigarette Odor From Your Home

• Wash and scrub the walls and windows, including screens, with a white vinegar solution. 
• If your budget allows, prime the freshly washed walls with an odor-killing primer and paint. 
• Wash all interior, hard surfaces, such as countertops, tiles, backsplashes, trim, etc., with mild soap and then rinse with a vinegar solution. Remember to tackle the insides of cabinets and drawers. 
• Wash all clothing and drapery. Add one cup of white vinegar to the wash to help remove lingering smoke odors in the fabric. 
• Wash and clean all decorations and knick-knacks with a vinegar solution. 
• Disinfect and deodorize all textiles, such as carpets, furniture, and mattresses with steam or other cleaning equipment. 
• If your budget allows, remove carpets and replace them. Don't replace it with new carpeting until the smoke odor is effectively removed. Otherwise, the new carpet will trap the odors and begin to smell too. 
• Have all ductwork and HVAC equipment professionally cleaned. Change filters once per month for one year. 

Removing Cigarette Smoke Odor FAQs

I cleaned my wood furniture, but the smell keeps returning. What should I do?

Wood is a very porous material and absorbs odors like a sponge. When it's hot and humid, the wood will expand and release any smoke molecules trapped inside. Unfortunately, it can take a long time for these odors to completely dissipate. 

Consider sealing the wood furniture with a clear primer designed for odor removal to trap the smell inside. 

Can spraying Febreze remove smoke smells?

Yes. Febreze includes a chemical called cyclodextrin, which is effective at absorbing odors. 

Should I use an ozone generator to remove cigarette odor?

An ozone generator can reduce smoke smells in the home. But these are pricey products, and if you misuse them, they can be dangerous. So it’s worth it to pay a professional who is trained in using ozone generators if your DIY smoke removal hasn’t worked.

Removing Cigarette Odor from Your Home: Key Takeaways

Tobacco smoke is a stubborn and stinky villain that can make a home unpleasant. If you’re looking to sell your house, then you’ll want to do your best to remove any lingering odors, so you protect its value and get it off the market quickly. 

It’s not a matter of using one odor-killing product and washing walls. Instead, you’ll need to use all of the tips on this list to thoroughly remove the smoke. 

We’re always here and happy to help. If you don’t have the time or energy to tackle smoke smells, we’re here for you. 

Contact us today at SERVPRO North Richland Hills at (817) 589-1499 for a free estimate on our full suite of cleaning and odor removal services.