How To Get Rid of Stubborn Smoke Smells

4/18/2022 (Permalink)

The strong smell of smoke damage can be neutralized with vinegar.

Removing Smoke Odor In Your Home

Whether from a fire or from a bad cigarette habit, smoke cleaning can be difficult and frustrating. No matter how hard you scrub, the smell seems to linger in your Arlington, LA, home and you feel as if your space will never be the same. Here are some steps that may help you get a good start on it before you reach out to a professional odor elimination specialist.

Determine the Source

There are a variety of reasons you may have a stubborn smoke odor in your home. Determining the source will help you decide the best route to get it cleared out. The smell may come from fire damage, years of indoor cigarette smoking, or even from outdoor wildfires near your home. The smell will leach into fabrics and any porous surface in your home, including furniture, clothing, dishes, floors and walls.

Neutralize With Vinegar

The strong smell of smoke damage can be neutralized with vinegar. Begin by placing several small bowls around the area where the odor is strongest. These will begin to absorb the noxious fumes and reduce the smell. You can also boil some vinegar on the stove to speed up the process, allowing it to simmer for an hour or two.

Clean, Clean, Clean

Smoke cleaning will also require you to remove and thoroughly scrub anything that was within the damaged area. All clothing, furniture cushions, or other fabric items should be washed. You'll also need to clean wall hangings and hard surfaces. Sprinkle baking soda on carpets and allow it to sit for a while before vacuuming up.

Use Ammonia

The most stubborn smells may require an ammonia treatment to fully destroy them. You can add some to the laundry when washing clothing, bedding and other fabrics. The stronger smell will be more unpleasant than vinegar, but you can also place bowls of ammonia throughout the home to absorb smoke smells.
Smoke cleaning takes a lot of work, but the time invested is worth it if you can eliminate the smell. Follow these tips to do it right.