How to get rid of cigarette smell at home
In hotels, you’ve probably noticed warnings in rooms not to smoke. This is not just a whim—cigarette smoke is notoriously persistent. It permeates wallpaper, curtains, furniture, and other fabrics, lingering for months. In heavily smoked rooms, the smell can persist for years.
By nature, odors are caused by molecules of a substance that enter the atmosphere and spread through diffusion. Human olfactory receptors detect smells when the concentration of these molecules in the air reaches a certain threshold.
The intensity of an odor depends on the number of molecules and the natural strength of the substance’s scent. The persistence of an odor is primarily influenced by the quantity of molecules remaining in the environment—whether suspended in the air or settled on surfaces.
When smoking a cigarette, smoke is produced containing around 6,000 different chemical compounds. The smell comes from the combustion products of tobacco and paper. The solid particles in cigarette smoke settle quickly and are absorbed into porous materials like textiles, leather, and paper. In spaces where smoking has occurred over a long period, a yellow-brown, sticky resinous coating may even become visible on surfaces.
10 Tips to Eliminate Persistent Cigarette Smoke Odor Indoors
The method to get rid of the smell of cigarette smoke is the same as for any other persistent odor - you need to reduce the concentration of the molecules that cause the smell to a level where the olfactory receptors no longer detect it.
1. Ventilate the room. Remove lingering smoke from the air as quickly as possible before it settles on surfaces. Use a hood, ventilation system, air purifier, or simply open windows for extended periods.
2. Remove the source of the odor. Dispose of cigarette butts, empty ashtrays, and take out the trash.
3. Wash items that have absorbed the smell. Wash clothes, curtains, towels, bedding, and blankets to eliminate the odor.
4. Professionally clean fabrics. Upholstered furniture, pillows, blankets, and carpets may require professional cleaning to remove embedded odors.
5. Thoroughly clean all surfaces. Use appropriate detergents to wipe down surfaces and vacuum the area, ensuring no ash or dust particles remain.
6. Wash walls, ceilings, and windows. Persistent smoke odor often stems from resin and combustion products that accumulate on vertical and horizontal surfaces.
7. Repaint or re-wallpaper if necessary. If walls are deeply saturated with smoke, cleaning might not be enough. Consider repainting or replacing the wallpaper as a last resort.
8. Replace or clean filters. Air purifiers, air conditioners, and ventilation systems require filter replacements or thorough cleaning to prevent recirculating the smell.
9. Clean cleaning equipment. Sponges, rags, and brooms can absorb odors. Replace or clean them, along with items like garbage cans and dustpans.
10. Use odor neutralizers. Odor absorbers like activated charcoal, baking soda, or commercially available neutralizers can be highly effective. Avoid air fresheners or scented products, as they only mask the smell temporarily.
How to prevent the appearance of a persistent cigarette smell at home?
The best way to avoid cigarette smoke odors is to stop smoking. Here are some tips to help you:
1. Avoid smoking indoors. If smoking outside isn’t possible, try to smoke near an open window to minimize smoke penetration into the room.
2. If you do not stop smoking Switch to alternatives like IQOS or e-cigarettes. IQOS, for example, leaves less odor on furniture and fabrics than cigarettes. Its tobacco aerosol dissipates faster, and since it heats tobacco instead of burning it, there’s no ash.
3. Maintain good air circulation. Regular ventilation, the use of air conditioners, or installing hoods can prevent odors from settling and lingering.
4. Avoid smoking in high-humidity areas. Excess moisture can intensify and prolong odors, so avoid smoking in bathrooms or kitchens where humidity levels are higher.
This is general information only, and generally relates to properly manufactured fitness and materials, and does not specifically refer to a particular device unless explicitly stated otherwise. Some of the information in presented here is based on external, third-party sources and we make no representations or warranties of any kind regarding the accuracy, validity, or completeness of such information.