How to Get Rid of Smoke Smell From Home and Furniture
Smoke – whether from a cigarette or from a fire – has a persistent odor. No matter how much you spray with Febreze or how many times you wash your hair, this distinctive scent may seem like it’s not going anywhere. But this is not always the case. In an article for Livescience, Katy Trejarn shares some strategies for dealing with smoke odor in both the short and long term. Here’s what you need to know.
How to get rid of smoke smell quickly but temporarily
The first method is also the simplest: open the windows in the house and let in as much fresh air as possible. “Releasing outside air helps carry away pollutants such as smoke and soot,” Treharn writes.
The following tips are provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) . While your usual cleaning process – such as dusting, washing and disinfecting surfaces with mild soap or cleaning products – will not get rid of the smoke smell in the long run, it will help reduce the smell temporarily.
And if the smoke is from a house fire or forest fire, FEMA recommends checking your home for any soot or ash that may remain. If you just leave it in place, your place will continue to smell like smoke.
How to get rid of the smell of smoke from furniture
FEMA also offers a solution to the problem of smoke odor that permeates soft surfaces such as upholstered furniture, mattresses, carpets, curtains and clothing: thoroughly deodorize and disinfect them using baking soda and white vinegar. FEMA recommends cleaning wood furniture and surfaces with soap or wood-based cleaners.
How to get rid of the smell of smoke from your home permanently
This time, the advice came from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and focuses on air purification. First, if you don’t already have central air conditioning or air conditioning, it might be time to get one. “When there is little infiltration, natural ventilation or mechanical ventilation, the air exchange rate is low and pollution levels can increase,” the EPA said .
In a similar vein, the EPA also recommends purchasing an air purifier, particularly one with a high clean air delivery rate (CADR) if you are dealing with tobacco smoke, because it is one of the smallest particles.