How To Get The Smell Of Smoke Out Of Your House
Shaheen holds a postgraduate degree in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology from Bharathiar University. She is a Geneticist with proficiency in Biotechnology, Immunology, Medical Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Genetic Counseling.
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There is a reason nobody prefers smoking in the premises of their homes or enclosed areas. It is solely to avoid the aftermath – the smell of smoke that lingers long after you are done. Apart from tobacco, short circuits, cooking, and even your smoker neighbor next door can cause smoke to linger around your home. If you are looking for ways to get rid of smoke smell from your house, follow the remedies and tips discussed in this article. Let’s begin!
Types Of Smoke Smell
There are many sources of smoke, which can cause the resulting smell to linger around for quite some time. Some of them are:
- Smoke from cigarettes
- Smoke from a short circuit (also referred to as electrical smoke)
- Smoke while cooking
- Smoke from a kitchen fire
Let us now look at some simple home remedies that can help you get rid of smoke smell from your house quite effectively.
Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Smoke Smell From Your House
1. Vinegar
You Will Need
- 1 cup of vinegar
- 1 cup of water
What You Have To Do
- Mix equal proportions of vinegar and water in a bowl.
- Pour this solution into a spray bottle and use it to clean all the non-fabric surfaces of your house.
Why This Works
Smoke can leave residues of resin and tar on non-fabric surfaces of your homes, like the fans, sinks, tiles, and floors. The vinegar solution can help in breaking down these residues, thereby getting rid of the smoky smell to a great extent. You can also place a bowl of vinegar near you whenever you are smoking inside a room to prevent the room from becoming stale with the cigarette smoke.
2. Baking Soda
You Will Need
- Baking soda (as required)
- Vacuum cleaner
What You Have To Do
- Sprinkle a liberal amount of baking soda on your carpets, rugs, sofas, and any other household item made of fabric.
- Leave it on for a day.
- Vacuum them.
Why This Works
Baking soda is quite popular for its neutralizing properties. This makes it a great option to deodorize most fabric surfaces and get the smell of smoke out of them (1).
3. Activated Charcoal
You Will Need
Small bowls of activated charcoal
What You Have To Do
Place small bowls of activated charcoal in the rooms with poor ventilation.
Why This Works
Activated carbon is often used to filter dirt and particles from water. It also works as a deodorizing agent that can help absorb the smoky odor from your home (2).
4. Air Plants
You Will Need
An air plant
What You Have To Do
Place an air plant in the room to combat foul odor.
Why This Works
Air plants get most of their nutrients from the air around them, and, in the process, they help in getting rid of all unwanted odors inside the room.
5. Diffuser
You Will Need
- 4-5 drops of any aromatic essential oil
- Water
- A diffuser
What You Have To Do
- Pour some water into the diffuser.
- Add a few drops of essential oil to the water. Allow the aroma to spread throughout your home.
Why This Works
Diffusers can help in getting rid of the smoky smell by spreading the fragrance of essential oils around. The essential oil molecules diffuse around the house and neutralize the bad odor.
6. Air Purifier
You Will Need
An air purifier
What You Have To Do
Buy an air purifier and fix it inside your home.
Why This Works
If you want to get rid of the smoke smell and prevent its recurrence, your best bet is to invest in an air purifier. Although mainly devised to purify the air around you, air purifiers are also known to eliminate smoke, especially that from tobacco (3).
7. Essential Oils
a. Eucalyptus Oil
You Will Need
- 15-20 drops of eucalyptus oil
- 1 cup of water
What You Have To Do
- Add 15-20 drops of eucalyptus oil to a cup of water.
- Mix well and transfer the solution to a spray bottle.
- Spray it all around your home.
Why This Works
The strong aroma of eucalyptus oil masks the smoky odor and makes your home smell fresh and pleasant.
b. Lavender Oil
You Will Need
- 15-20 drops of lavender oil
- 1 cup of water
What You Have To Do
- Add 15 to 20 drops of lavender oil to a cup of water and mix well.
- Spray this solution all around your home.
Why This Works
Lavender oil masks bad odors with its pleasant floral aroma. It also promotes sleep and a feeling of wellness by helping you combat stress and insomnia.
You can also use orange, lime, rosemary, sage, tea tree, and peppermint oil to get rid of the smell of smoke from your home.
8. Onion
You Will Need
- 2-3 onions
- Bowls of water (optional)
What You Have To Do
- Cut the onions into halves and place them in bowls in every corner of your home.
- Leave them overnight and throw them away the next morning.
Why This Works
Onions have odor-neutralizing properties, i.e., they can easily absorb all kinds of odor, leaving your home smelling better overnight.
9. Ammonia
You Will Need
- Ammonia
- A few bowls
What You Have To Do
- Fill small bowls with ammonia and place them in the smoke-smelling rooms.
- Leave them there until the ammonia evaporates completely.
- You can also mix equal proportions of vinegar and water and use it to wash your walls that may have remnants of the smell of smoke.
Why This Works
Similar to onions, charcoal, and baking soda, ammonia too can help in getting rid of the smell of smoke by absorbing the bad odor molecules and neutralizing the air around you (4).
10. Open The Windows
Opening all windows is an excellent way to get rid of the smell of smoke in your house. Remember to do this throughout the cleaning and deodorizing process. The fresh air that enters your home from outside does a pretty good job in neutralizing the odor of smoke.
11. Clean All Surfaces
Another thing that you must do, especially if the smoke odor is too strong, is to clean all the fabric and non-fabric surfaces in your house. While the linens, clothes, and fabrics can be washed, the non-fabric surfaces must be wiped with deodorizing products like diluted vinegar or ammonia to get rid of the smell of smoke.
Apart from using these remedies, you must also remember to follow a few tips, especially when it comes to the most common culprit behind the odor of smoke – cigarettes.
Prevention Tips
- Avoid smoking indoors.
- Ventilate your room and allow fresh air to enter it if you have happened to smoke indoors.
- Clean your ashtrays on a regular basis.
- Keep your windows open every once in a while.
The smell of smoke can be an instant turn off and hence must be dealt with before it overtakes the entire home. We have done our bit by suggesting some of the most sought-after ways to get rid of the annoying smell. It is now your turn to try these out and let us know your experience in the comments section below.
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