There is little less welcoming than lingering smoke odors in a home – from burnt toast to cigarette smoke to an unfortunate house fire. You do not want your lovely home to turn into a smoky house. Smoke smell can seem to linger everywhere – in the curtains, furniture, clothing, and even on the walls and ceilings themselves. In this guide, you will know the ways on removing smoke smell from house for good. And if you need to seek assistance from a professional, Superior Restoration Irvine is here to help you get rid of that nasty smoke odor that won’t cease.
Getting Started
Gather all the products and tools you’ll need in removing smoke smell from house. The first four bullets are generally affordable. However, the last four may be expensive and should do the trick for removing the smell from even long-time smoke exposure.
- Spray bottle
- White vinegar
- Ammonia
- Baking soda
- Steam cleaner
- Air filter
- Air purifier
- Ozone generator
Tips for Removing Smoke Smell from House
Know the following tried-and-true tips to get rid of the smoke odors fast and efficiently.
Tip #1: Increase ventilation in your home by opening up all the windows and doors.
When removing smoke smell from house, it is important to increase ventilation by opening up all windows and doors. Also, using a running fan is helpful to improve air circulation. Place one near the window or the door to oust the bad air.
Tip #2: Take time to remove all the washer-safe fabrics from your home (curtains, blankets, pillows, bedding)
And toss them into the washing machine. Wash them up through a cold wash cycle with two to five cups of white vinegar. Do another wash cycle with your usual detergent. Have them air-dry in the sun thoroughly until the entire home is clean. If the sun isn’t out, use low heat to dry them. Never use high heat as it seems to reactivate the smoke scent in them.
Tip #3: Use baking soda to clean all the soft surfaces in your home.
Examples of soft surfaces are carpets and upholstered furniture. One function of baking soda is to absorb odor molecules. Using a measuring cup or a sifter, sprinkle a generous amount of it over the carpet and other soft surfaces. Leave it for about 30 minutes to an hour before vacuuming. If needed, steam-clean your carpet.
If the smoke smell is still present on the soft surfaces, repeat the baking soda process a couple of times until you no longer detect its scent.
Tip #4: Use vinegar or ammonia solution to remove smoke particles from your ceilings and walls.
- Ammonia Cleaning Solution. To create an ammonia-cleaning solution, mix two tablespoons of ammonia with two cups of water in a spray bottle. Adjust the amounts if needed, especially when using a bucket.
- Vinegar Cleaning Solution. For a vinegar-cleaning solution, combine equal amounts of white vinegar and hot water (or warm water) in a spray bottle or bucket.
Spray either one of the cleaning solutions generously on hard surfaces, including walls, doors, ornaments, kitchen counters, lighting devices, portraits and picture frames, and fan blades. Wipe down using a towel or rag.
If you’re using a bucket, fill it half with the cleaning mixture. Immerse a towel or rag into it, squeeze it to remove most of the liquid solution, and then scrub down one part of the wall. Rinse the towel or rag in the cleaning solution and repeat scrubbing on the next part.
Do the entire cleaning process across the ceiling and on the floor.
Tip #5: Inspect all air ducts and ensure that they are open and clean. Also, replacing your HVAC air filters is a good choice.
Another effective way to remove the smoke smell is the use of a HEPA filter. Activated charcoal eliminates stale odors as well, so using it is helpful.
Tip #6: For a thorough clean-up, use an ozone generator.
Its function is to destroy smoke residue. You can rent one or hire an expert to fully remove the smoke odor from your home.
Prevention is Always Better
Here’s what you need to do on a regular basis to prevent smoke buildup and remove foul odors:
- Use activated charcoal to adsorb the unwanted smoke smell and replace them weekly.
- Keep a well-ventilated home to let the fresh air come in.
- Place an air purifier with a HEPA filter in your home. It can further help in cleaning the air by filtering or removing odors.
- Remember to change HVAC filters regularly and check all air ducts as often as possible to prevent accumulating the smoke scent.
- Use a steam cleaner to clean your soft surfaces such as upholstered furniture, carpets, etc.
- Wash all fabric items (bedding, stuffed toys, curtains, tablecloths, etc.) once a week.
- Use Do-It-Yourself cleaning solutions with baking soda, ammonia, or vinegar to clean all hard surfaces in your house.
When to Seek Help from Smoke Damage Specialists
If the smoke smell still persists even after doing all the tips, seek help from a specialist. Superior Restoration Irvine has skilled and trained professionals who can assist you in removing smoke smell from house thoroughly.
Contact our local office today! We are available 24/7 in emergencies.
