Stale cigarette smoke smells are terrible, especially if you are a non-smoker. Also called thirdhand smoke, lingering cigarette or cigar smoke can cause headaches, make you feel sick, or even trigger asthma attacks or allergies. If your house smells like cigars, cigarettes, or tobacco smoke, these tips will help you clean and remove the smell of smoke. From walls and ceilings to mattresses and furniture, we look at how to get rid of cigarette smell in a house.
How to Get Cigarette Smell out of a House Fast
Not only does it smell disgusting, but thirdhand smoke poses a number of potential health risks. While you may think you need fancy cleaners or special chemicals, you can usually get rid of lingering cigarette and cigar odors with little more than vinegar, baking soda, water, and fresh air. Here are the basics of how to get rid of cigarette smell in a house.
However, the exact cleaning process depends on what stinks. Also, open windows and turn on fans to increase air circulation when you are cleaning thirdhand smoke. Here are the basics of how to get cigarette odors out of your house fast.
How to Clean Cigarette Smoke From Walls and Ceilings
One of the easiest places to get rid of cigarette smells in a house are the walls and ceilings. In most cases, you can get cigarette smoke off walls and ceilings with just a solution of distilled white vinegar and water.
To clean walls, mix together three cups of vinegar with one cup of warm water in a spray bottle. Starting at the top of the wall, spray a small area and then gently scrub clean with a dry rag. Move across and then down the wall in sections to make sure every part is clean.
For stubborn odors, you may need to wash the walls several times. Another option is to seal them once they are clean. Use an odor-blocking primer first, then use regular interior house paint.
While cleaning smoke residue from ceilings is very similar, using a bucket and a rag will make less mess than a spray bottle. You should also cover furniture and carpeting with a tarp to prevent stains.
Dip the rag in the vinegar solution and then wring it out, so it is just barely damp. Start in one corner and work in small sections, scrubbing the ceiling with the rag. Move across the ceiling, rinsing the rag in vinegar after every section to speed up the process of removing smoke particles.
Once the ceiling is clean, you should paint it with a sealing primer. Since smoke rises, it’s more likely to absorb cigarette smoke smells than walls. After using the sealing primer, apply at least two coats of paint.
How to Get Cigarette Smell out of a Mattress
Baking soda is the best way to get cigarette odors out of a mattress. Remove and wash the bedding, then sprinkle on a heavy layer and wait an hour before vacuuming it.
If the mattress still smells like cigarette smoke, repeat the process until the odor is gone. Alternatively, you can spray on some white vinegar and gently dab away the smell with a dry rag.
For really persistent cigarette smells, move the mattress outside. A day or two in the fresh air will help remove any lingering smoke odors. However, avoid direct sunlight as this can reactivate the smell.
How to Get Cigarette Odors out of Furniture
You can get cigarette smoke smells out of most furniture with baking soda. Just sprinkle on a thin layer and then wait an hour before vacuuming it up. This is most effective on fabric and upholstery, but it works on leather and synthetic fabrics as well.
If the smells remain, wash the furniture with a fabric soap or upholstery cleaner. Another option is to move the furniture outside. Fresh air will help get rid of the cigarette smoke much faster. But, keep it out of the direct sun, or it can reactivate the smells.
How to Get Cigarette Smell out of Carpet
Baking soda is great at getting cigarette odors out of carpeting. Sprinkle on a layer at night before bed, then vacuum it up in the morning. Repeat that every night until the carpet smells fresh and the cigarette smell is gone. Another option is to steam clean the carpeting.
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Other Ways to Get Cigarette Odors out of House
Here are several natural home remedies that will help with how to get rid of cigarette smell in a house fast.
- Charcoal: Charcoal is a great way to absorb cigarette smoke. While activated charcoal or activated carbon is most effective, it’s harder to find than ordinary charcoal you use for your grill. However, only use natural charcoal. Briquettes will additives or lighter fluid won’t work. Put the activated charcoal powder in a cup or a natural charcoal briquette on a plate and spread them around your home.
- Baking Soda: After charcoal, baking soda is the next best thing for absorbing cigarette odors fast. Add a quarter cup to a cup or bowl and then place them throughout the room. Replace it every two days until the smells are gone.
- Coffee Grounds: Coffee grounds will also get rid of cigarette smells. After making your morning coffee, spread the grounds in an even layer and allow them to dry. Then put them in small containers and place them around your house. Change them out every other day until the smells disappear. Plus, you can even toss the grounds in your garden afterward as an added bonus.
- Vanilla Extract: Another way to get rid of cigarette odors is with vanilla extract. Vanilla has a strong, slightly sweet aroma that eliminates strong smells like smoke from cigarettes. Soak cotton balls or gauze pads in vanilla and place them around the room. You can also put a few drops of vanilla on a sponge or rag and wipe down surfaces. However, avoid using imitation vanilla extract. While cheaper, it doesn’t work the same.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Cigarette Smoke Smells out of a House
These are some of the most asked questions about how to get cigarette smell out of a house.
Do ozone treatments remove smoky smells from cigarettes and cigars?
While some experts recommend ozone generators for dealing with smokey smells, they are extremely dangerous and don’t always work. Ozone machines remove smells by producing ozone, a highly reactive form of oxygen, which oxidizes and breaks down odor-causing molecules. The ozone molecules then convert back into oxygen, leaving the area smelling fresh and clean. While ozone treatments can remove smokey odors from some materials, they are not as effective on set-in smells in walls, ceilings, or flooring. If you have tried all of the methods above, contacting a professional cleaning service is more effective and less dangerous than using an ozone machine.
How long does cigarette smoke smell last?
How long cigarette smells last depends on several factors, but it can take months or even years to go away on its own. The amount of time it takes for cigarette smoke odors to go away will vary based on the size of the room, how long people smoked inside, and how often they cleaned. Thirdhand smoke can last years unless properly cleaned up.
What absorbs cigarette smoke?
The two things that absorb smells from cigarettes the best are activated charcoal and baking soda. While activated charcoal works best, you might not have that at home. Plus, the soda is much cheaper too. Leave either out on a plate or a small dish to get rid of cigarette smells and replace them every other day.
How to stop cigarette smoke from coming through a vent?
The easiest way to stop cigarette smoke from coming through a vent is with a vent filter. Although they come in many different styles, activated charcoal or carbon filters remove smells the best.
How to get cigarette smell out of wood furniture or paneling?
To get cigarette smoke odors out of wood furniture or paneling, sprinkle baking soda directly on the wood. Let it absorb cigarette odors for up to two days before vacuuming up. If the smell remains, you can clean the wood with clean water and linseed oil.
If you are having trouble with how to get rid of cigarette smell in a house, we offer complete cleanup and restoration services. Our restoration specialists can remove cigarette smoke smells from walls, ceilings, carpeting, and more. Call 888-443-3110 now for a free in-person estimate on smoke cleanup and removal or any type of fire damage restoration.
