How to Get Rid Of Cigarette Smoke Smell or Smoke After A Fire at Home

Whether a guest or you smoked a cigarette or you recently had a fire in your home, even after fire damage restoration, you may find that one particular place has that smoky odor lingering about. No one likes the smell of smoke inside a house – not to mention how it can have long-term health impacts on you and your family.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the best way to get rid of cigarette and fire damage odor, and what the previous disaster restoration company might have done wrong.

Getting Rid of Smoke Smell From Cigarette or Fire Damage Restoration

The basic rule for getting rid of fire damage restoration or cigarette smell from your home is to increase ventilation, decrease humidity, sanitize and deodorize the place, and increasing the source of natural lights as much as possible.

If you recently got your home restored after a fire and the smell is still there, the technicians may have left some soot in some crevice or corner, or may not have sanitized the place properly. If you smell smoke or soot, it is important that you quickly get rid of the problem, either by calling the same disaster restoration company or taking the steps mentioned here.

On the other hand, for cigarette smoke, the first thing you need to get cleaned is the upholstery or bed sheet (the place where you or your guest smoked) and curtains. Curtains have a way of becoming the perfect resting place for cigarette smoke.

Now, let’s get into the steps you will need to follow;

1.     Air Your House Out

Start by opening your windows and doors wide and make sure nothing is blocking the draft. By opening your house up, you will also let the sunshine in, which can help you get rid of germs and bacteria in the carpet.

2.     Turn on The Fans

This also includes any exhaust fans you have. The goal here is to increase cross-ventilation. If you have any pedestal fans, place one facing outwards (outwards-draft) and one facing in (towards the inwards draft). You can spray some deodorant later on behind the latter fan to help it spread in your home.

3.     Clean, Clean, Clean

Try to track the source of the smell, sweep the area, mop it properly, and let it dry. Don’t use too much water on wooden floors, though, or you may face water damage and/or mold. If you can’t identify the source, we recommend cleaning in the following order:

• Rugs
• Curtains
• Furniture and
• Floors

It is usually a good idea to get your rugs/carpets, curtains, and upholstery steamed, for best results.

4.     Use Ammonia, If Nothing Helps

Ammonia is a very robust cleaning agent and is used by many fire damage restoration companies for hard surfaces. However, you need to be careful with it, as it can discolor surfaces if left for too long, releases toxic fumes, and can cause irritation on the skin.

It is best you call a sanitization service for this part.

5.     Clean the Mirrors & Glass – TWICE

It may seem like your mirrors and window glasses are clean, and all they need is a simple wipe but the carbon atoms from ash tend to sit snugly on these surfaces. Wiping them may displace them, but doesn’t necessarily help you get the clean surface you want.

Use a detergent to clean your mirrors and glass first and then follow up with a thorough wash. Avoid using newspaper on your glass.

6.     Of Course, The Air Fresheners

Now is the time to spray your favorite air freshener behind the fan facing towards your house. The air from your fan plus the draft will help the freshener spread throughout your home. Spray in short bursts every half an hour for best results.

You can also make an air freshener by making a cocktail of vinegar and baking soda. It won’t smell so great, but it will help eliminate almost any smell from your upholstery, bedding, linen, or towels – even if they are water damaged. Just make sure you don’t end up spraying too much.

7.     Use Activated Charcoal

If your house still smells of smoke, you can buy activated charcoal from your local hardware or sanitation store and set it out in bowls throughout the house. You will need to do this overnight for it to absorb the odor properly. If you can’t find activated charcoal or have a cat at home, kitty litter or coffee grinds will also do the trick.

During this step, empty all your ashtrays, dust bins, and stop smoking inside the house. It is okay to ask your guests not to smoke inside, as well. They should be able to understand.

8.     Dehumidify

The more humid your home is, the harder it will be for the odor to get out. It will also give bacteria and germs the perfect place to breed. If it’s raining outside, you can wait as the outside environment is more humid than inside, but as soon as it stops, start ventilating your home.

Your home should be completely smoke-free within 2 to 3 days of continuous ventilation. If the smell persists, you may need to take more drastic steps to get rid of the smell, i.e., deep cleaning and the use of industrial-grade sanitation tools. You should leave this to the professionals for best results.

911 Restoration is here to rescue you from any odor, be it cigarette smoke, the residue left after fire damage restoration service, or something a bit more drastic. We can also help you reduce the time it takes for the smell to go away thanks to our high-end equipment. We urge you to give us a call and learn more about how we can help!