The smell of smoke is easily recognizable and hard to ignore. When it comes to smoke odor removal, covering up the problem with scented candles and sprays simply won’t cut it. 

Sometimes, stubborn odors can become trapped in homes, seeping into walls, carpeting, or upholstery, and can become difficult to get rid of over time. Whether brought on by a fireplace, cigarettes, or even from a house fire, the smell of smoke has a habit of lingering and contributing to an uncomfortable environment. For this reason, it’s important to address smoke odor before it has a chance to become a greater issue. 

Although smelling it is an unpleasant experience for you and your guests, breathing in smoke odors can also lead to more serious health problems down the line. When smoke odors are present, this means you and your family could unintentionally be breathing in smoke regularly, which is a major health hazard. 

Clean indoor air quality is key to healthy living, and addressing a smoke smell is imperative for the health and comfort of your family and guests. In this article, we’ll be exploring the immediate actions you can take to eliminate the smoke smell in your home along with general deep cleaning tips to maintain a healthy living environment. 

Immediate Actions to Take

Although persistent, long-term smoke odors will require more significant efforts, there are immediate actions you can take in situations where indoor smoke is fresh. Here is how to rid your home of the smell of smoke fast:

• Ventilate the home—immediately open all windows and doors so that the smoke can move out of the house quickly.
• Turn on fans—to encourage the smoke to move faster, turn on ceiling fans and position portable fans so that they move the air toward the open doors and windows.
• Use air purifiers for smoke—if you have an air purifier handy, keep it running to remove harmful particulates and odors from the air.
• Remove the source—the source of the fire, such as burned objects or cigarettes, will release more smoke odors, so be sure to dispose of them safely and away from the home.

DIY Cleaning Methods

Getting rid of the smell of smoke in your home can feel like an impossible task. After all, odors can get trapped just about anywhere, so where do you start? Although at times store-bought is the way to go, at other times the best solution for stubborn odors can be found in our very own cabinets. To help you determine the best plan of action, read on for helpful DIY smoke odor remedies. 

White Vinegar

When it comes to home deodorization, vinegar does an amazing job of neutralizing smoke smells and there are a few ways you can use it depending on your needs. For any smoke smell trapped in furniture and flooring, dampen a cloth with two cups of vinegar and a half gallon of warm water. Use the solution to wash surfaces and eliminate the smoke smell. 

Another way you can utilize vinegar’s natural odor-absorbing properties is by leaving a bowl of vinegar in any room that smells of smoke. After about a day, the vinegar will absorb airborne smoke particles. The longer you let the bowls sit, the more effective the smoke smell elimination will be. For rooms with a more severe odor, you may consider letting the bowls sit for longer than a single day. 

Baking Soda

Among the lineup of natural odor absorbers, baking soda is a miracle worker when it comes to upholstered furniture and carpeted flooring. 

To use baking soda effectively, simply sprinkle baking soda over the smoke-ridden area. This can include carpeted flooring or upholstered furniture items. Ideally, you should allow the baking soda to sit overnight so it has time to fully penetrate the surface and absorb any contaminants. After it’s set, simply vacuum up the powder and repeat the process if needed. 

Activated Charcoal

Although activated charcoal might not be something you have readily available, it is another great natural solution to smoke smell elimination. Similar to placing bowls of vinegar in rooms with persistent smoke odors, you can set activated charcoal in those areas as well to absorb smoke particles. You can achieve this by leaving the charcoal in a bowl or, as a less messy option, creating cloth sachets filled with activated charcoal and placing them throughout the home. 

Vanilla Extract

While candles and scented sprays mask harmful smoke odors, vanilla extract not only absorbs the odor, but also makes the home smell nice. To use this method, simply leave a few drops of vanilla extract on cotton balls and place them around the home or near significantly affected areas. Over a few days, the vanilla extract will act as a natural deodorizer and leave a hint of a sweet scent. 

Store-bought Odor Absorbers

If you’re short on time or if the home remedies aren’t doing the trick, there are many commercial odor absorbers for purchase that can target more specific issues and successfully eliminate the smell of smoke within the home. Store-bought options include air purifiers, pre-made activated charcoal air purifying bags, and professional-grade smoke odor counteractants, to name a few. Be sure to read any directions carefully before using store-bought products for the most effective results. 

Professional Cleaning Services

Although there are a variety of options and solutions available to eliminate the smell of smoke on your own, we understand that sometimes it’s a better use of time and money to go straight to the professionals for help. When it comes to smoke odors, it’s not only a matter of a foul smell, but also a matter of health, which is why it’s of the utmost importance to remedy the issue as quickly as possible. 

COIT Cleaning and Restoration technicians have the experience and equipment required to not only rid your home of smoke odors, but also remove harmful particulates to ensure all areas of the home are clear and safe. We offer deep cleaning services to ensure all surfaces, flooring, upholstery, and drapery are thoroughly cleaned and odorless. 

In situations where there is extensive fire damage, we can also take an inventory of your possessions, securely pack them, and take them to our warehouse for proper cleaning and smoke elimination. 

When it comes to ridding your home of harmful smoke odors, you don’t want to be taking any chances or doing any guesswork. For technicians you can trust, contact COIT today for professional smoke odor elimination. 

Preventative Measures

The best way to promote freshness and prevent the smell of smoke long-term is by establishing and maintaining routine cleaning practices. Through various house freshening methods, you’ll not only achieve indoor air quality improvement, but also create a more comfortable living environment for you, your family, and your guests. 

Regular Cleaning and Maintenance

Below are some general cleaning and maintenance tips to foster a smoke-free home:

• For smokers, avoid smoking indoors and use proper ventilation practices to ensure smoke particles don’t remain in the home.
• Vacuum upholstery and floors weekly, performing a deep clean of all carpets every 8 to 12 months.
• Disinfect all countertops and surfaces.
• Dust weekly to further promote healthy indoor air quality and clear air ducts.
• If using air purifiers to trap smoke particles, be sure to change out filters according to the manufacturer's suggestion.

Deep Cleaning Walls and Ceilings

A deep clean means beyond surface-level stains and odors. If your home smells heavily of smoke, you will want to consider performing a deep clean of all surfaces, which includes washing walls and ceilings. Follow these steps to effectively remove the smell of smoke from these surfaces:

Walls

• Use a duster to remove surface-level dust and debris from walls.
• When washing walls, you will want to use a gentle cleanser, such as mild dish soap, to avoid stripping any paint or damaging wallpaper.
• Simply mix the soap with warm water and, working in sections, use a clean sponge or cloth to wash the walls.
• Using a dry, clean cloth, pat the walls dry.

Ceilings

• Use a duster to remove surface-level dust and debris from ceilings.
• Create a solution of 2 cups of warm water, 1/4th cup of vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of dish soap and pour it into a spray bottle.
• Spray the solution onto the ceiling and, using a clean, damp extendable paint roller, work your way across the ceiling to gently scrub.
• Using a dry, clean cloth, pat the ceiling dry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some commonly asked questions and answers from the experts at COIT:

Q: How long does it take for the smell of smoke to go away in a house?

A: The amount of time it takes for the smell of smoke to go away will depend on the severity of the situation. While less severe cases may only last a few days, more severe cases can last months. In all cases, it’s best to address the issue immediately to reduce the time it will take for the smell to dissipate and to avoid breathing in harmful particulates. 

Q: How to get rid of a burnt smell in the house fast?

A: Open all windows and doors, turn on fans to move the air around and toward exits, and safely remove the source of the burnt smell. Beyond these immediate steps, utilize an air purifier to pull and remove smoke odors from the air. 

Q: What neutralizes the smell of smoke?

A: To neutralize the smell of smoke, consider using vanilla extract to absorb harmful smoke odors and replace the smoke smell with a sweeter, fresher scent. 

Q: What absorbs smoke in a house?

A: Due to their natural deodorizing properties, vinegar, baking soda, activated charcoal, and vanilla extract are just a few things you can use around the home to absorb smoke. 

Final Thoughts

Smoke odors are a hazard, and if you notice them in the home, it’s important to act as quickly as possible to avoid damaging your property and your health. Whether you choose to use something you already have in your cabinets or go for a store-bought smoke odor eliminator, there are a variety of options available to rid the home of the smoke smell on your own. That said, if those options aren’t quite cutting it, or if you want to get to the source as quickly as possible, COIT is just a call away. 

Our experts will not only perform a deep clean, but also ensure your home is free of harmful particulates—keeping your family safe and granting you peace of mind. 

For expert smoke odor elimination, contact COIT today.