Hire a professional: Contact the professionals at Rainbow Restoration® for efficient odor removal and smoke damage restoration services. |
The chemical residue left by cigarette smoke can linger in properties for years after smoking has ceased in a space.
Smoke’s negative impact on homes includes poor indoor air quality, unappealing stains, and, most frequently, lingering odors. The severity of the contamination will alter which practices can be effective for cigarette smoke odor removal.
Houses that have been smoked in over long periods will need more comprehensive measures to get adequate results. In these cases, even motivated individuals risk wasting time and energy on unsuccessful DIY attempts and further damaging their property. Rather than attempt to rid a home of persisting cigarette smoke odors without the proper expertise, tools, and resources, enlisting the help of a qualified restoration company ensures that residential smoke damage will be restored.
Table of contents:
- 1. Wipe Hard Surfaces
- 2. Purify the Air
- 3. Use Odor Absorbers
- 4. Steam Upholstery and Wash Fabrics
- 5. Repaint Walls and Ceilings
- Hire a Professional
- Trust Rainbow Restoration for Odor Removal
- Cigarette Smell FAQ
1. Wipe Hard Surfaces
Wiping hard surfaces may be helpful for odor removal in homes affected by cigarette smoke. This can be done with a cleaning solution specific to the surface, which may increase the chances of removing resin, tar, nicotine, and lingering smoke odors.
However, it’s important to understand some key differences between different surfaces and the solutions that may work better on each.
- Do: When cleaning hardwood surfaces, such as floors and walls, be sure to use a wood-specific cleaning solution.
- Don’t: Allow wood to get too wet or it can be damaged. In addition, harsh cleaning solutions can damage wood finishes and cause permanent stains.
2. Purify the Air
Air purification may help reduce lingering cigarette smoke odor and may even help with mold.
One approach to purifying the air in a property is opening windows and doors to encourage airflow and circulation. Fans may be useful in promoting additional air circulation.
For more severe cases, utilizing an air purifier with a HEPA filter may be best. This can help extract odor-causing molecules from the air, potentially reducing the cigarette smoke odor in a home.
Replacing a home’s HVAC system filters with HEPA filters can also help reduce lingering smoke odors.
- Do: Replace HVAC system filters with HEPA filters when possible. These filters can make HVAC systems better at purifying air and ridding spaces of the smell of smoke.
- Don’t: Use air filters labeled as “HEPA type,” as they may not be as effective as actual HEPA filters.
3. Use Odor Absorbers
Odor absorbers are an odor removal method that may be effective when trying to rid a property of lingering cigarette smoke odor. What effectively absorbs cigarette smoke smell will differ depending on the severity of the smoke damage in a property. Stay away from odor eliminator sprays, as they can worsen odors and possibly emit harmful chemicals.
4. Steam or Wash Fabrics
Fabrics can hold odors for a long time. Fabrics exposed to cigarette smoke for a prolonged period typically retain a stale odor that can contribute to a property’s lingering smoke smell. Cleaning drapes, upholstery, and other fabrics may help neutralize odors in some capacity.
Hot water extraction can be a useful way to lessen the odor of smoke left on carpets. If a steam cleaner with an upholstery attachment is available, it may be helpful to steam clean sofas, chairs, and other upholstered furniture that can be wet cleaned. Washing may also remove the smoke smell from clothes and other laundry-safe fabrics.
Though it may sound like a viable quick fix, steaming a sofa won’t always effectively neutralize smoke odors since smoke can penetrate deep into fabrics and become inaccessible to steam. In any situation where a property is damaged by smoke, hiring qualified service professionals is the most useful approach.
5. Repaint Walls and Ceilings
Beyond staining and discoloring walls and ceilings, cigarette smoke often leaves a lasting stale odor that can persist long after people stop smoking in a space. In cases where walls and ceilings have been exposed to cigarette smoke for a prolonged period, simple fixes like scrubbing are typically ineffective.
Sealing with a smoke sealer and repainting walls and ceilings can effectively reduce the smell of cigarette smoke in properties when handled by trained restoration service professionals.
Why Hire a Professional
While it can be tempting to engage in DIY efforts to rid a property of smoke damage, these methods are rarely capable of truly restoring a property.
Rather than engaging in fruitless efforts, hiring qualified service professionals from Rainbow Restoration ensures that smoke-damaged properties are effectively restored and cleansed of lingering smoke odors. Rainbow Restoration service professionals have experience restoring commercial and residential properties and also have access to all of the essential tools and resources to get the job done.
Rainbow Restoration offers a range of services to restore properties affected by smoke damage, including:
- Upholstery and carpet cleaning
- HVAC system cleaning
- Specialized odor treatments
Trust Rainbow Restoration for Odor Removal
Anyone wondering how to get the cigarette smell out of a house can trust the qualified and experienced service professionals from Rainbow Restoration. With all the tools and expertise to restore properties affected by smoke damage, Rainbow Restoration can always be trusted to respond quickly and successfully perform odor removal services.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your home and property. Rainbow Restoration is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact the Rainbow Restoration location nearest you for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.
Some Rainbow Restoration services vary by location. Contact your local Rainbow Restoration franchise for more information.
Cigarette Smell in a House FAQ
Setting the highest standards in water, fire, and mold damage restoration requires a continuous focus and dedication to education and improvement. This commitment to exceptional service also includes using our years of experience and expertise to answer your restoration questions.
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about cigarette smell.
How long does it take to get cigarette smell out of a house?
How long it takes to get rid of the cigarette smell in a house will depend on various factors, such as the severity of the odor and the method used to neutralize it. In houses heavily saturated with cigarette smoke, it typically takes several months to remove lingering smells.
What’s the best way to get the smoke smell out of a house?
The best ways to get smoke smell out of a house include wiping hard surfaces, washing soft surfaces, purifying the air, using odor absorbers, and repainting walls. The most effective method to rid properties of smoke damage is to call a qualified service professional.
How do you get rid of the smell of cigarette smoke in a commercial property?
The most effective way to rid commercial properties of lingering smoke odors is to hire a trained and experienced service professional. What gets rid of cigarette smell in a specific property will differ from case to case. Expert service professionals can quickly pinpoint the best restoration method.
What absorbs cigarette smoke smell?
Bowls of vinegar and baking soda can absorb some cigarette odors. However, these efforts rarely completely eliminate lingering cigarette smells in properties.
