Last Updated on February 11, 2025 by Tanya Janse van Rensburg
While you may enjoy the first whiff of a crackling fireplace or the scent of a quality cigar, the smokey smell quickly loses its appeal once it starts to linger and settle deep into your home furnishings.
Air fresheners may temporarily mask the smell, but it is best to find sustainable ways to eradicate it permanently.
Eliminating unwanted smoke odors from your home may take time and effort, but the clean and purified results are well worth it.
Natural odor absorbers like baking soda and vinegar can help, as can Alen air purifiers for wildfire smoke and unpleasant cigarette smells.
Air purifiers are strongly recommended for circulating and purifying air within a specific room.
Most models use a fan and filter to displace the air and trap airborne pollutant particles as they travel around the space.
Brands that use HEPA filters are known to be highly effective in removing 99.97% of pollutants in the air, including smoke particles.
While they do a fantastic job mitigating the issue, they are not 100% effective, as they cannot remove any smoke odors that have already stuck to surfaces around your home.
Therefore, it is better to use purifying machines in conjunction with other cleaning methods to achieve maximum efficiency.
White vinegar is a fantastic natural cleaning product that effectively cuts through odors, bacteria, and grease.
Transfer the liquid into an easy-to-use spray bottle and wipe down furniture, counters, walls, and floors with undiluted white vinegar.
You can also place small bowls of vinegar throughout your home for several days to catch any lingering smoke particles and eliminate the unwanted odor for good.
If you find the smell of vinegar overwhelming or unpleasant, simply add a few drops of your favorite scented oil, like lavender or peppermint, to cut the harshness of the vinegar without compromising its effectiveness.
Baking soda is another fantastic natural odor-absorber that is safe to use in normal amounts around children and pets.
Sprinkle liberal amounts on upholstered furniture, carpets, and rugs, allowing it to sit for at least eight hours or overnight before vacuuming up.
You can also leave bowls of baking soda around your home for several days to help absorb any lingering smells or odors in the air.
Add a few drops of essential oils to transform it into a fantastic air freshener.
If you don't have white vinegar at home or struggle with its smell, you can turn to your drinks cabinet for a solution. Vodka is an odorless disinfectant and deodorizer.
Transfer vodka to a spray bottle to coat your walls or floors, leaving the spirit to neutralize the smoke particles before wiping the surfaces down with a cloth and clean water.
Alternatively, you can soak a cloth or sponge in vodka and wipe the walls down to remove the smoky smell.
You can also use rubbing alcohol on plaster walls with a clean microfiber cloth.
The key is to work slowly and wipe the walls gently to prevent any paint or plaster from chipping or peeling.
To properly eliminate the smell of smoke in your home, it is important to clean and disinfect your walls, furniture, and carpets properly to remove unwanted smoke pollutants completely.
The first step to removing unpleasant smoke odors from upholstered furniture is to vacuum the entire piece, top to bottom.
Using an upholstery brush and the crevice tool attachment on your vacuum, ensure you cover every inch of the furniture, including the back and sides.
Smoke smells can attach itself to dust and dirt.
Once cleaned, liberally cover the entire piece with dry baking soda.
Use a soft-bristled brush to gently rub the baking soda into the fabric, leaving it to work its magic for at least four to eight hours or overnight.
Once the time has passed, use your upholstery brush and crevice attachment to thoroughly vacuum the furniture again, removing all the baking soda residue.
Should any smell remain, repeat the process a second time.
Like cleaning furniture, you must vacuum your carpet or rug thoroughly to remove any dust or dirt trapped within it.
If your vacuum uses disposable bags, ensure you dispose of them when you are done to prevent odors or particles from recirculating.
Sprinkle the carpet with a healthy dusting of baking soda, allowing it to sit for at least eight hours before vacuuming the powder.
Lightly spray the carpet with fabric refreshing spray to trap any remaining odor-causing molecules.
In more serious cases, baking soda is not effective enough to eliminate the smell.
When this is the case, it may be necessary to thoroughly clean the carpet using a wet cleaning solution and carpet steam cleaner.
You can do this yourself or hire a company.
Before washing your walls, use a microfibre duster to remove any cobwebs and dust particles.
In a bucket, mix one teaspoon of all-purpose cleaner with ½ cup of baking soda per quart of warm water.
Stir the solution together and prepare a second bucket of clean water.
Soak a sponge or microfibre cloth in the soapy solution, wringing out excess water to prevent drips.
Start at the top of the wall and gently wipe down the walk, rinsing out your sponge or cloth regularly.
Once you have covered the entire wall, use a new sponge to rinse it with clean water to remove any residue, changing the rinse water frequently to ensure the wall is properly cleaned.
In conclusion, eliminating smoke odors from your home requires a combination of patience, effective cleaning techniques, and the right natural remedies.
While air purifiers can significantly improve indoor air quality, it’s essential to complement their use with thorough cleaning methods, such as utilizing white vinegar, baking soda, and alcohol spirits.
By addressing upholstered furniture, carpets, rugs, and walls directly, you can deeply cleanse your home and remove stubborn smoke smells.
Remember, achieving a fresh and inviting space may take time, but the effort will leave you with a healthier home environment that you can enjoy.
With these strategies in hand, you can reclaim your living space from unwanted odors and breathe easier once again.
