Smoke smell isn't necessarily a by-product of big fire incidents only. There could be countless reasons for having that persistent smoky smell inside the house.
It could be due to that home barbecue you had last week, kids' campfire leftovers, cigarette ash, fireplace cold ashes, or even a burnt meal.
Whatever the cause of the smoke, one thing’s certain: nobody likes that stench. Plus, all these odors can give you intense headaches or make you feel nauseous.
The smoke molecules deeply infiltrate the furniture, walls, clothing, etc., making the smell so persistent that despite numerous efforts, you can't get rid of all the smell. Thus, you need a thorough clean-up of the house. Here’s everything you need to know to get the lingering smoke smell out.
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Supplies You’ll Need
If you want to combat the smoke smell, you cannot just spray an odor neutralizer and expect the smell to vanish. It will take a bit more than that.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Sponges, microfiber, and lint-free cloth
- Vacuum cleaner
- White vinegar and Baking soda / All-purpose cleaning liquid
- Fabric neutralizing or refreshing spray
- A mop
- Sofa and carpet cleaner
- Borax
- Cleaning brush
- Cleaning gloves and mask
- Air purifier (optional)
- Ozone Generator (Optional)
- HOCl Fogger (Optional)
- A stepping stool or ladder
How to Get Rid of Smoke Smell
Before you put on the gloves and get down to your knees scrubbing up the house, open the doors and windows. Let in some fresh air and sunlight, bringing down the humidity levels inside the house.
The fresh air is a natural neutralizer for all kinds of smells. Next, look for the source of the odor.
For instance, if it's a burnt meal, you need to get it out of the house, so there’s no smell following your thorough clean-up.
Look for burnt burners, dirty fireplaces, cigarette ash, lighters, the remains of a campfire, etc., and dispose of them. Once you’ve removed the source, it's time to start deep cleaning.
1. Get Started with Ventilators
You may consider calling the experts for this or renting out two ventilators to improve the air circulation in the house. Place one ventilator in the center of the room and the other by a window or door to throw out all the stale air trapped in the house.
2. Wipe All Surfaces
Distilled white vinegar is your best friend for neutralizing smells around the house. Take a spray bottle and fill it with a 1:1 ratio mixture of hot water and vinegar.
Spray it around the house. Next, use a wipe and mop to clean up the tables, chairs, counters, wall decorations, lights, fans, knobs, floor, etc.
You may even place small containers filled with vinegar around the house - make sure kids steer clear of their path - and let it sit. It will also absorb the leftover odor in the air.
3. Clean Sofas and Carpets
You can use baking soda for fabric-covered sites like carpets, curtains, and furniture.
Simply sprinkle a good amount of powder on the sofas, rugs, beds, etc. To reach all the spots where smoke may have settled in, use a soft-bristled brush and work your way from the top to the bottom of the sofa.
After at least eight hours or 2-3 days, you may vacuum and do steam cleaning to get rid of the powder.
Vacuum the Furniture
If your vacuum cleaner came with all those accessories and different heads, it’s time to take them out.
Now, turn on the vacuum and, using the upholstery brush, start cleaning the furniture's top, sides, nooks, and creaks. Then, go to the backside and work your way through the insides. Make sure not to leave any spot behind.
Spray A Fabric Refresher
Finally, use a fabric refresher spray over the upholstery to remove all the dust and smoke particles that may be left behind.
4. Wash all Fabrics
Toss the washable materials in your washing machine and complete the wash cycle using vinegar and detergent. Remove all curtains, cushion covers, sofa covers, bedding, and linens, and wash them.
If you usually dry clothes inside the house, do that after completing the thorough cleaning. If you hang the wet clothes inside, the smoke particles will stick to them, and you’ll not be able to completely rid your house of the smell.
5. Clear Air Ducts and Filters
You should do this regularly – smoke smell or not. First, clean all air ducts and eliminate all the dirt and accumulated particles.
Then, if you use air purifiers, replace your HVAC filters or use a HEPA filter to eliminate the redundant smoke smell and stale air.
6. Clean the Walls
The next step is to clean the walls. The smoke particles are so small that they often stick or hang onto the house's walls. Here’s how you can clean the walls of the house or room where it smells the most:
- Dust: First, clean all cobwebs and dust the wall with a clean duster.
- Make a Cleaning Solution: Next, you need to make a cleaning solution. Take an all-purpose cleaner (mix it up with some baking soda and warm water for a better cleanup) and wipe down all the walls using a sponge. You may also make a homemade cleaning solution.
- Clean the Sponge: Rinse and wash the sponge periodically to avoid spreading the particles further down.
- Rinse the Wall: Use another sponge or cloth to wash the wall and remove all the solution residue.
- Replace Water: Clean and replace the water as it gets dirty and follow the same procedure for all the walls.
- Additional Tip: Make sure to squeeze the sponge before wiping; you do not want to make a watery mess on the floor.
7. Clean the Rugs and Carpets
Next, line up all the rugs and carpets around the house. Here’s how you can clean them out:
- Vacuum: First, use the vacuum cleaning floor brush to remove all the trapped dirt particles from the carpet.
- Sprinkle Baking Soda: Next, throw a generous amount of baking soda over the carpet or rug. Let it stay for a day or at least about eight hours.
- Vacuum the Baking Soda: Use the vacuum brush to clean the carpet and remove the baking soda residue.
- Spray Fabric Refresher: Use the fabric refreshing spray all over the carpet and get rid of the remaining stubborn odors.
Tips and Tricks to Take Out Smoke Smell Completely
Here are some further tips to help make your home completely safe and free from the smell of smoke:
- Turn on all the fans and exhaust fans to increase ventilation.
- Clean all glass doors, windows, and mirrors with hot water and vinegar.
- Use activated charcoal to absorb the undesired odors around the house. You may also use scented candles, homemade potpourri, dehumidifiers, and oil diffusers to neutralize the air inside the house.
- You can also rent ozone generators. These effectively remove all odor and smells from household appliances, upholstery, and furniture.
- Make sure to clean out the vacuum cleaner's filter regularly.
HOCl Fogging
There is no doubt that the methods described above are effective. However, we can hear your voice saying, "I don't have time for that!". So here is our advice to you.
There is a chlorine-based disinfectant called HOCl which can control germs at extremely low concentrations that are safe for the human body. By fogging this disinfectant with a specially designed fogger, the HOCl ingredients can be delivered by dry mist to surfaces throughout the space without any labor. Since removing bothersome odors is almost same with controlling germs, this system can also serve to improve daily cleanliness.
There are several types of specialized foggers available, but the stationary type is the most reasonable to operate. All you have to do is set it and forget it, and before you know it, you will have a clean and hygienic space free from the smell of smoke.
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Final Word
Here you go with the stepwise cleaning process to cleanse your home from all residue of smoke and its lingering smell.
Whether it's simple cigarette ash, burnt oven smell, or smoke smell from a past fire breakout, you can breathe fresh and clean air following these simple DIY steps.
