The short answer
Start with Air and Surfaces
Open every window and door you can to get fresh air moving through the house. Use box fans in windows to push stale air out and pull fresh air in. This helps remove some of the smoke particles floating in the air, but it will not touch the odor that has settled into your walls, ceilings, and floors.
Wipe down all hard surfaces with a mixture of warm water and white vinegar, or a commercial odor neutralizer made for smoke. Pay special attention to windows, window frames, doors, baseboards, and light fixtures. Wash any washable curtains, drapes, and slipcovers in hot water with a cup of vinegar added to the rinse cycle.
- Wipe walls and ceilings with a sponge or cloth
- Clean light fixtures and ceiling fans
- Wash all washable fabrics in hot water
- Use a vinegar and water solution on hard surfaces
- Vacuum carpets and upholstery first
Treat Carpets and Upholstery
Carpet and upholstery soak up smoke like a sponge. Start by vacuuming thoroughly, including under furniture and along edges. Then use a baking soda treatment: sprinkle a generous layer over the carpet, let it sit for several hours or overnight, then vacuum again. This helps lift some of the odor from the fibers.
For deeper odor, consider renting a carpet cleaner that uses hot water extraction. The pros use industrial-grade equipment and specialized cleaning solutions that can reach deeper into the padding. If the odor remains after a thorough cleaning, the carpet padding may need to be replaced. In severe cases, the carpet itself may be beyond saving.
- Vacuum slowly and thoroughly
- Sprinkle baking soda and let it sit
- Use a steam cleaner on carpets
- Shampoo upholstered furniture
- Replace carpet padding if odor persists
Clean Walls and Ceilings
Walls and ceilings hold onto smoke odor because the tar and nicotine are sticky and cling to paint. Use a solution of trisodium phosphate (TSP) mixed with warm water to wash painted walls. Wear gloves and eye protection, and rinse with clean water afterward. This can be messy, so protect your floors with drop cloths.
If washing does not remove the odor, you may need to seal the walls with a primer designed to block odors, then repaint. This is often the most effective way to stop the smell from coming back. For heavily smoked-in rooms, the pros may recommend removing and replacing drywall, especially if the walls are uninsulated or have soaked up years of smoke.
Use Ozone and Air Purifiers
Ozone generators can break down smoke molecules in the air and on surfaces. These machines are effective, but you must follow the manufacturer's safety instructions. Ozone is not safe to breathe in high concentrations, so you need to run the machine in an empty room or while you are away, then air out the room before using it again.
High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) air purifiers with activated carbon filters can help remove smoke particles and odors from the air. Place one in the main living area and run it continuously for several days. Change the filters as directed, because they will get clogged with smoke residue.
When to Call the Pros
If you have tried cleaning and the odor still lingers, it may be time to call local water damage pros. They have industrial-strength ozone machines, thermal foggers, and specialized cleaning products that are not available to homeowners. They can also assess whether drywall, insulation, or carpet padding needs to be removed.
Structural drying and dehumidification equipment can help if the smoke odor is accompanied by moisture damage, such as from a fire or flood. The pros can also perform moisture mapping to find hidden damp spots that may be trapping odors. If the smoke smell is from a fire, you may need a fire restoration professional instead.
- Call if the smell persists after cleaning
- Ask about ozone and thermal fogging
- Ask about drywall and carpet replacement
- Consider moisture mapping if water damage is present
Talk to someone now
Water keeps spreading into floors and walls, so it is worth acting early. Calls are answered 24/7.
Call Now (208) 729-2441Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to remove cigarette smoke odor?
It depends on how long the smoke was present and what surfaces it touched. Light smoking in a room might be removed in a few days of cleaning and airing out. Years of smoking can take weeks of professional treatment or require replacing materials.
Will baking soda really help with smoke odor?
Baking soda can absorb some odors, but it is not a cure-all. It works well on carpets and fabrics when left on for several hours. For walls and hard surfaces, you need a cleaning solution like vinegar or TSP. For severe smoke, you may need an ozone machine.
Should I paint over smoke-stained walls?
Painting over smoke without cleaning first will not work. The tar and nicotine will bleed through the new paint. You need to wash the walls with TSP, then apply an odor-blocking primer before painting. If the drywall is soaked with smoke, replacement may be the only option.