One of the most pungent odors that lingers long after the source has been extinguished is smoke. Some people suffer sinus and allergy problems from smoke, while others are simply annoyed by the odor. Whether you smoke or someone else has smoked in your home, you'll want to include purging the smell when you clean. This is a multistep process, because smoke infiltrates porous surfaces, such as walls, upholstery and carpet, according to the Online Tips website.
Step 1
Open all the windows and doors to the room where the smoke smell lingers. This is a temporary measure that allows some of the smoke smells in the air to escape.
Step 2
Wipe all hard surfaces, such as windows, cabinets, countertops and wood, with a neutralizing solution to remove the film that holds the smell. Use either a commercial odor neutralizer or make a solution with one part distilled white vinegar and three parts water. Allow the wood surfaces to dry, then seal them with a wood sealer.
Step 3
Steam your carpet and upholstery clean with a neutralizing solution. You may purchase or rent a machine that is simple to operate. Pour one part solution to approximately 10 parts water into the machine's reservoir. Plug the machine into an electrical outlet, turn it on and press the lever to dispense steam as you run it over the carpet. Run the machine back over the areas that have been steamed to extract any water the steam left behind. If the odor is fresh, one application may be enough. Long-term smells may require more than one cleaning. You may not be able to completely remove the smell or smoke from your carpet by cleaning, but it should help cut some of the odor. If you don't want to clean your own carpet, you can have it professionally done.
Step 4
Clean your walls. If the walls are painted, scrub them with a neutralizing cleaner. Washable wallpaper can also be scrubbed, but if you have fabric, textured or fragile wallpaper, you may have to strip it to rid your house of the odor. If you need to repaint your walls, use one that blocks stains, advises the Action on Smoking and Health website.
Step 5
Remove all window treatments, pillows, stuffed animals and other objects from the area. Wash anything that is washable, and have the rest professionally cleaned. You may not be able to remove all the odor, so the item may have to be discarded.
Step 6
Have the duct work in your air conditioning and heating system professionally cleaned. Replace the air and heat filters.
Step 7
Place bowls of vinegar in each room to help absorb any of the lingering odors, or use products designed to absorb and trap smells. Some of these products are heavily scented, so if you have sinus problems or allergies, you'll want to stick to the vinegar.
Step 8
Place an air purifier in each room to continue removing the smells if they continue to linger. Air purifiers will remove smells and unhealthy particles from the air to help anyone with asthma, allergies or sinusitis to breathe better.
Things You'll Need
- Odor-neutralizing cleaning solution
- Wood sealer
- Carpet cleaning machine
- Carpet cleaning solution and water
- White distilled vinegar
- Air and heat filters
- Paint
- Air purifier
