There is little less welcoming than smelling stale smoke in a home, especially when you are a non-smoker. In 2020, 12.5% of American adults were smokers. If you don’t smoke, perhaps a previous occupant of your home did. Schenley will explain how to get smoke smell out of a house and home furnishings quickly.
The cleaning required depends on how long the smoker was on the property and how often they smoked. The odor is third-hand smoke. It can seem to linger everywhere — in the furniture, curtains, and clothing, and even on the walls themselves. But by following this guide, you will know how to get rid of the smoke smell in houses for good. We have detailed some easy steps and highlighted the products and tools that can help you.
Steps for getting rid of smoke smell
These easy steps will help you get rid of nasty odors quickly and easily. Once you know how to get the smoke smell out of house furnishings and walls, you can keep on top of it.
1. Start by throwing away any items related to smoking
Anything that has had a cigarette in it will keep the offensive smell. Start by throwing away any ashtrays, cigarette butts, packets and lighters.
2. Open up all the windows in the house
A quick start on how to get smoke smell out of house furnishings is to open up all the windows right away. It’s also important to open windows before you start cleaning, so there’s ventilation if you’re using any harsh cleaning products.
3. Increase the air circulation
Use two ventilators to boost air circulation and speed up the removal of the smell. Use one ventilator to push air across the room. Place the second near a window or door to further expel the stale air.
Make a 50/50 mixture of hot water and white vinegar. Use a spray bottle and some rags to wipe down all hard surfaces. Include decorations, doors, kitchen counters, fan blades, light fixtures, and picture frames. Use a mop and bucket to clean the floor with the same mixture of water and vinegar.
4. Clean carpets and fabric-covered surfaces
Baking soda is a handy household cleaner as it can neutralize odor molecules. Sprinkle it on carpets and fabric surfaces and leave it for a few days. Then vacuum, and if needed, steam-clean your carpet.
5. Machine wash laundry-safe fabrics
Toss any washer-safe cushion covers, curtains, pillow covers, sofa covers, and linens into the machine. Do one wash cycle with .5 cups of white vinegar and then a second cycle with your usual detergent. Let them air dry outside until the house is clean.
Tips to get smoke smell out of your house naturally
House plants
House plants are also excellent at absorbing chemicals and purifying the air. Buy some and place them throughout the house.
Vanilla extract
You can also mask the smoke smell with vanilla extract. Use a cloth to wipe it over different surfaces in the home, or put some on cotton balls. You can also do the same with essential oils or use scented candles to get rid of the smell.
Vinegar
Place apple cider vinegar, or white vinegar in a bowl in each room. If you are a coffee lover, you could also use coffee grounds. All these substances can help to absorb odors in a non-invasive way.
