Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Using simple methods
• Method 2 of 3: Clean everything thoroughly
• Method 3 of 3: Purify the air
• Tips
• Warnings

A room that smells of smoke can be unappealing to guests and is not a pleasant environment to live in, especially for young children. It can be difficult to get rid of a smoke odor, especially if the smoker has lived in the room for a very long time. Try simple methods to mask or neutralize the smell of smoke. In the case of a persistent smell of smoke, thoroughly clean your house and any items that still smell of smoke. Purifying the air can also help create a better, fresher-smelling environment.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Using simple methods

1. Remove ashtrays and smoking materials from the area. Usually, ashtrays and other smoking materials give off the strongest smoke odor, besides the smoker himself of course. If you want to get rid of the smoke smell, you will have to deal with its source.
2. Open the windows. This is not enough to get rid of strong or stale smells, but it can help get rid of less strong smells. If possible, place a fan in front of the window and point the fan inwards. This helps to bring fresh air into the room.
3. Use a spray that removes bad smells. There are many sprays for sale that will make your room smell nice. These sprays can work well, as long as you use the right type. Not all sprays can remove bad smells. When purchasing a scented spray, make sure the packaging states that it removes odors rather than conceals them. Such a spray will make your room smell nice and removes the smoke smell.
4. Burn incense. The musky, spicy scent of burning incense can help mask the smell of smoke. Incense is available as sticks, powder and granules. Make sure to burn your incense in a non-flammable incense holder and keep an eye on the burning incense. When you are done, extinguish the incense by pouring water over it.
5. Set out a bowl of white vinegar. Vinegar does not smell very good, but it does absorb bad smells, including smoke. You should be able to notice the difference at the end of the day. After a few hours, throw away the vinegar. Vinegar smell does not linger, unlike smoke smell.
   • You can also use baking soda, cat litter, or pieces of activated charcoal. All these agents absorb odors. Don't forget to change it every few days.
6. Air out your furniture. If the smell of smoke lingers after you air the room, it may be that the smell of smoke has drawn into your furniture. Put the furniture outside for a day or two. The sun's UV rays will kill the bacteria causing the bad air and neutralize the smoke smell.
7. Sprinkle baking soda on carpeting and upholstered furniture. Leave it there for up to 72 hours and then vacuum it up with a vacuum cleaner. Baking soda absorbs odors very well.
   • You can also spray white vinegar on your furniture and then wipe it off.
   • This may not work if the scent is very strong.

Method 2 of 3: Clean everything thoroughly

1. Wipe the walls and ceilings with an ammonia-based cleaner. Smoke air is drawn in everywhere. You may not be able to see the smoke, but it is still there. This "film" usually causes the smell of smoke long after the smoker has left the room.
   • In a worse case, you may have to repaint the walls and ceilings. The new paint covers the old paint that absorbed the smoke smell. Before applying new paint, first use an anti-nicotine primer. This prevents the surfaces from smelling bad again.
   • If you can't repaint the walls, use matte polyurethane paint. This keeps the scent in the walls without changing the color of your walls.
   • If you have wallpaper on your walls, wipe it off with vinegar first. If the odor lingers, it is necessary to remove the old wallpaper and re-wallpaper the walls.
2. Wipe all hard surfaces. This applies to windowsills, mantelpieces, furniture and floors, among other things. Also take items such as cupboards, wall cabinets, drawers and chests of drawers, both inside and out. You can use white vinegar or an ammonia-based cleaner for this. Don't worry about the vinegar smell as it won't linger and will disappear over time.
3. Clean the carpet with a steam cleaner. You can do this yourself by renting or buying a carpet steam cleaner. You can also hire a carpet cleaning company. In extreme cases it may be necessary to install new floor covering. It is very difficult to get bad smells out of carpets.
   • If you are installing new carpeting, be sure to scrub the floor underneath to remove any traces of smoke smell.
   • Add air freshener to your steam cleaner to cover stubborn odors.
4. Wash clothes, upholstery, pillows, and blankets. If you can wash the items in the washing machine, put 250 ml of white vinegar in the correct detergent compartment in the washing machine. The vinegar will help get rid of the smell. Take all items that cannot be washed in the washing machine to a dry cleaner. Keep in mind that it may be necessary to wash the items a few times to get rid of the smoke smell.
   • In some cases it is necessary to buy new pillows and blankets. You may also need to have your furniture reupholstered.
   • If washing in the washing machine doesn't help get rid of the smoky smell in your clothes, take it to a dry cleaner.
5. Clean curtains and blinds. Remove all window coverings. If you can safely wash the curtains in the washing machine, do so. If that is not possible, take it to a dry cleaner. You can clean blinds in the bathtub with white vinegar.
6. Don't forget the windows and mirrors. Smoke leaves a thin film on everything, including windows and mirrors. You can't always see this layer, but it is there. On very hot days, the film heats up and the scent returns. So fill an atomizer with white vinegar, get a paper towel and start wiping the windows and mirrors. You can also use a regular glass cleaner.
   • It may be a good idea to replace the lamps in the room as well, as they also heat up. Simply replace the bulbs with new ones.

Method 3 of 3: Purify the air

1. Get an air purifier. An air purifier removes the bacteria and chemicals that cause the bad air from the air. This makes the air smell fresh and clean.
   • An air purifier also removes other allergens from the air, so that the air can be inhaled without problems by people with allergies and asthma.
2. Replace the filters in your hot air heating and air conditioning, if you have one. These filters trap bad smells. If the odor in your room is very strong and keeps coming back even though you clean so often, chances are the filters are the culprits.
3. Use an ozone generator. An ozone generator produces O₃, which oxidizes organic molecules (often the cause of bad smells). For many people, an ozone generator is a good way to get rid of the smell of smoke. Put the generator in the room and set the timer. Make sure all windows in the room are closed. Exit the room and close the door behind you. This allows the room to fill with ozone. After the generator has turned off, wait at least an hour before going back inside.
   • An ozone generator can irritate the throat. Such a device is not recommended for people with asthma. Their complaints can worsen.
   • Turn on the fan in the air conditioning in the room, if you have one. This helps to circulate the air and to clean the air conditioner.
   • The stronger the scent, the longer you will have to run the generator. If a smoker has used the room for a few days, you will have to run the generator for a few hours, for example. If a smoker has lived there for several years, you will have to run the generator for a few days.
   • An ozone generator can only remove part of the smoke air.If the odor has penetrated the walls, floors, curtains and furniture, the generator may not completely remove the smoke odor.

Tips

• Look for air fresheners that remove bad smells, rather than those that only mask odors and leave the room smelling fresh.
• Place candles in the room. According to some people, candles not only give off a nice scent, but they also absorb bad smells.
• Do not smoke indoors. If it's too cold or raining too hard to go outside, smoke near an open window.
• Air the room when you are done smoking. Open a window and put a fan in front of it. This will allow fresh air to enter your room.
• Do not keep ashtrays and other smoking materials in the room. Even if you smoke outside, it is a good idea not to keep any smoking equipment in the room. This includes things like coats.
• Always test cleaners on an inconspicuous area first, in case they stain or damage a surface.

Warnings

• Do not use scented sprays around pets, especially birds.
• Keep a window open when working with household cleaners, especially if they are ammonia-based.
• Do not use an ozone generator if you have asthma.