How to Get Smoke Smell Out of Your House: Effective Odor Removal Tips

You might not notice the unpleasant smell of smoke in your home until someone else points it out. Perhaps you’ve recently quit smoking cigarettes, and the smell now hits you the wrong way when you walk in the front door.

Maybe you’re selling your home, and the Realtor told you that something needs to be done about the smell. If you need to know how to get smoke smell out of your house, use these effective odor removal tips.

Why Smoke Odor is Difficult to Eliminate

Your go-to solution for eliminating tough odors may be to light a scented candle and spray some air freshener. When it comes to eliminating smoke odor for good, however, these methods are largely ineffective.

Smoke carries tiny particles of ash and nicotine in it. These are deposited onto various surfaces throughout your home. They cause visible yellowing on some surfaces as well as a bad smell that you can’t easily get rid of.

Identify the Source and Severity

Before getting heavily involved in cleaning, it’s important to identify the source and severity of the smell. If it’s fireplace smoke, the primary source is likely the fireplace.

However, there may be secondary sources that have been heavily impacted by smoke, such as a nearby chair that has absorbed the smoke. This step enables you to focus on the specific areas that require your attention.

Ventilate the Entire House

Ventilation plays a key role in odor removal. As long as weather permits, open the doors and windows. Turn on the ceiling fans throughout the house.

Run the exhaust fans in the kitchen, laundry room and bathroom. If available, run an oscillating fan or box fan as well to increase circulation. While you are ventilating the house, turn your attention to cleaning.

Clean Soft Surfaces That Trap Smoke

Soft materials, such as carpet, rugs and upholstery, trap smoke particles. Launder items that can safely be cleaned in the washing machine. For items that cannot be laundered, sprinkle a healthy amount of baking soda on them. Let the baking soda sit overnight. Then vacuum the surfaces to remove the baking soda smoke residue and odors.

If the smell continues to linger, it may be necessary to steam clean your carpet, rugs and upholstery.

Deep Clean Hard Surfaces

You might assume that the hard surfaces in your home won’t require extensive cleaning. After all, you should be able to simply wipe off the residue. This isn’t actually the case. Tar and soot in the smoke can cling on surfaces and requires special effort to remove.

A 50-50 solution of warm water and white vinegar is effective at removing the grime on glass and mirrors. Ammonia is also effective. However, don’t use it with bleach. Ammonia can strip stained and painted surfaces, so ensure that ammonia is suitable and safe to clean any new surface with.

Change and Clean HVAC Systems

The same smoke particles that can land on the surfaces inside your home will enter your HVAC system. Changing the air filter is a first step, but additional effort is required.

Clean all vents and registers with a paste made out of baking soda and vinegar. In addition, hire a pro to deep clean your air ducts.

Natural Deodorizers That Help

Cleaning your house from top to bottom is critical for removing tough odors, but natural deodorizers are effective as well. These deodorizers neutralize odors rather than simply masking them.

Both baking soda and activated charcoal have odor-neutralizing properties. Simply place small bowls containing baking soda or activated charcoal throughout the house.

When to Call a Professional

When the overbearing smell of smoke seems impossible to get rid of, it’s time to call a professional. Some surfaces in your home can absorb and retain smoke and other unpleasant odors more than others.

By focusing on deep cleaning your home with the right combination of cleaning supplies and techniques, bad odors will soon be a thing of the past.

At Cleanzen, we are proud to provide a full range of cleaning services to our customers in the Manchester area. Whether you’re dealing with stubborn smells, unsightly stains or general grime, we can help. Contact us today for professional house cleaning and maid services in Manchester.