Removing Cigarette Smoke Odor
The smell of cigarette smoke is very unmistakable and can be very difficult to remove. The hardest part about any kind of smoke damage is that it sticks to just about EVERYTHING. Because of this, it is very difficult and time-consuming to try and get rid of the odor left behind, in most cases a professional needs to be called in to completely remove the odor. There are some instances where complete smoke odor removal is possible to complete on your own.
Dealing with Cigarette Smoke
Cigarette smoke residue is a yellowish-brown, gluey substance that sticks to every surface in a home, car, business, you name it. In order to completely eliminate cigarette smoke odor, you must thoroughly clean the tobacco smoke residue from every surface and every nook and cranny in the vicinity.
First, you will want to allow fresh air to enter your home. Fresh air circulation is one of the most important parts of smoke removal. Without it, you will be cleaning everything just so more residue and odor can set in. Make sure you have opened all doors and windows as well as turned on any fans that you have laying around. You should also clean or replace your air filters to prevent damaged air from circulating, making the problem worse.
After you have gotten proper air circulation, you should then start systematically cleaning everything in the home, and we mean EVERYTHING. This includes curtains, tablecloths, bedding, etc. Throw these types of items in the washer with a cup of vinegar added to it. Be sure not to dry them in high heat, as this can sometimes bring the odor back and even make it set in. You’ll also need to clean your upholstery and your carpets. For easy, short-term removal try spreading baking soda all over your upholstery and carpet, let it sit overnight, and vacuum. You will also need to wipe down all other surfaces such as walls, ceilings, counters, tables, etc. with ammonia and glycol- two ingredients that neutralize odors. These processes can also be used when cleaning everything else, such as personal belongings, fixtures, blinds, appliances, other household items, etc.
*Tip: As a temporary solution, try using baking soda to absorb smells from the carpets and upholstery and place bowls of white vinegar, coffee or activated charcoal around the house. Air purifiers and plants can also help remove odor.
If you have completely cleaned everything in your home, and done everything you could to remove the odor, or even don’t want to go through the hassle and spend the time trying to deodorize your home by yourself, you could always call a trained professional, such as ERX, to do all of this for you. They will make sure everything gets done properly to remove the odor, and will also bring in the big guns such as an Ozone Machine, to better ensure that the smell is completely removed.
Completely removing cigarette smoke odor from a home is a very time-consuming process. It takes patience and persistence, but it can be done. Always remember to act fast, don’t put clean items back into a smoke damaged area (this will just undo all the cleaning you just did), and when in doubt, call ERX
