How to Get Smoke Smell Out of Your House Fast

A persistent smoke smell in your house is almost always unpleasant and hard to remove. If you’re wondering how to get a smoke smell out of your house quickly and effectively, you’re in the right place.

Smoke odors tend to cling to fabrics, walls, and even the air itself, making them difficult to eliminate. Fortunately, with a few strategic steps and the right materials, you can get rid of that lingering smell and restore a fresh environment in no time.

In this guide, we’ll share the most effective methods to remove smoke smell from your home. From cleaning tips to using natural deodorizing agents, we’ll cover everything you need to know to combat stubborn smoke odors and keep your home smelling fresh.

Why Does Smoke Smell Linger in Your House?

When something burns, it releases a mixture of chemicals, soot, and microscopic particles. These particles settle on surfaces, including your carpets, furniture, curtains, and even the air ducts, making it difficult to fully remove the smell without proper cleaning.

Additionally, smoke particles can penetrate deep into porous surfaces like drywall and fabrics. This is why simply opening windows or using air fresheners often doesn’t do enough to eliminate the smell completely. 

How to Get Smoke Smell Out of Your House

1. Open Windows and Ventilate Your Home

One of the quickest and easiest ways to start tackling smoke odors is to ventilate your home. Fresh air can help clear out the stale, smoky air, making it easier to remove lingering smells.

Open Windows and Doors: Open all windows and doors to create a cross breeze. This will help push the smoke-laden air out and allow fresh air in.

Use Fans: If possible, use a box fan or a ceiling fan to circulate the air and speed up the process.

Ventilate in Stages: Spend at least 30 minutes ventilating each room, and make sure to rotate the fans to ensure all areas get fresh air.

2. Clean Fabrics and Upholstery

Fabric absorbs smoke particles, making upholstery, curtains, rugs, and clothing some of the most significant culprits for lingering smoke odors. Here’s how to clean them:

Wash Clothes and Linens: Begin by washing any clothing, bedding, or linens that have been affected by smoke. Use a powerful laundry detergent and add a cup of white vinegar to help neutralize odors.

Clean Upholstery and Carpets: Upholstery and carpets can trap smoke smell deeply. Use a fabric cleaner designed to neutralize odors or a mixture of water and white vinegar. You can also sprinkle baking soda on upholstery and carpets, let it sit for 15-30 minutes, and then vacuum it up.

Wash Curtains and Drapes: If your curtains or drapes are washable, launder them according to the care instructions. For non-washable fabrics, try hanging them outside for a few hours in direct sunlight, which can help reduce odors.

3. Use Activated Charcoal or Baking Soda

Activated charcoal and baking soda are both excellent natural deodorizers that can help absorb the smoke smell from your home.

• Activated Charcoal: Place bowls of activated charcoal around the house, especially in areas with heavy smoke odor. Charcoal has the ability to absorb particles in the air, including smoke.
• Baking Soda: Sprinkle baking soda on carpets, upholstery, and even inside the refrigerator or cabinets where the smell may have lingered. Let it sit for a few hours before vacuuming it up. Baking soda works by neutralizing acidic odors and absorbing moisture.

4. Clean Hard Surfaces Thoroughly

Don’t forget to clean all the hard surfaces in your home where smoke particles may have settled. This includes walls, ceilings, floors, and countertops.

Wash Walls and Ceilings Smoke particles can settle on walls and ceilings, leaving behind a sticky residue that contributes to the smell. Use a mixture of water and dish soap or a vinegar solution (1 part vinegar to 4 parts water) to wipe down these surfaces.

Clean Floors and Baseboards Hardwood floors, tiles, and baseboards can also harbor smoke particles. Sweep and mop the floors, paying extra attention to baseboards. For extra freshness, add a bit of essential oil like lavender or eucalyptus to your mop water.

Wipe Down Surfaces Don’t forget to wipe down surfaces like countertops, tables, and light switches, as smoke particles can settle here as well.

5. Use Odor-Neutralizing Products

If the smell persists, consider using professional-grade odor eliminators or natural products designed to tackle tough odors.

• Air Purifiers with HEPA Filters: A high-quality air purifier with a HEPA filter can help remove smoke particles from the air. Look for a model specifically designed to remove odors.
• Odor-Neutralizing Sprays: There are several sprays available that neutralize odors rather than masking them. Look for ones that contain natural ingredients like eucalyptus, lavender, or citrus.

6. Consider Ozone or Ionizer Treatment

For stubborn smoke odors that won’t go away with basic cleaning, you may want to try ozone treatment. Ozone generators can neutralize smoke particles by converting them into oxygen, but this method should be used with caution and only when the room is unoccupied. It’s also important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

• Ozone Generators: These can be rented from various home improvement stores or hired professionals. They should be used in a closed room, and you must vacate the space during the treatment.
• Ionizers: An ionizer helps reduce smoke particles in the air by using electrical charges to attract and neutralize them.

Prevent Future Smoke Odors

Once you’ve eliminated the smoke smell from your home, it’s a good idea to take steps to prevent it from returning:

Avoid Smoking Indoors If the smoke odor was caused by smoking indoors, avoid smoking inside to prevent the issue from recurring.

Regular Cleaning Regularly clean fabrics, carpets, and upholstery to ensure odors don’t build up over time. For more tips, see Liberty Home Guard’s guide on how to deodorize carpet.

Use an Air Purifier Keep an air purifier running in rooms that are most likely to be affected by smoke, like the kitchen or living room.

Maintain Your HVAC System Make sure your HVAC system’s filters are clean and replaced regularly. If the system has been exposed to smoke, consider having it professionally cleaned.

Getting a smoke smell out of the house doesn’t have to be a complicated task. By following these simple steps, you can eliminate stubborn smoke odors and restore a fresh, clean environment in your home. From washing fabrics and cleaning surfaces to using natural deodorizers like baking soda and activated charcoal, these methods will help you achieve a smoke-free home fast.

If you continue to experience lingering odors, consider consulting a professional to ensure that all areas of your home, including the HVAC system, are thoroughly cleaned.

For more home maintenance tips and expert advice, visit Liberty Home Guard. Our home warranty plans can also help protect your home from unexpected issues, including air filtration and HVAC problems.