Tobacco odors are not something you want lingering within house. Whether you smoke two packs a day or moved within a house that has been smoked in, the constant smell of tobacco odor can be unpleasant to anyone.
There are several household solutions for removing this odor and returning freshness to a home. This guide will work to provide odor removal tips for you to reach your goal of getting the stench out of your house.
Quick Solutions
Often, there is not enough time to completely wipe out the smoke residue before having guests over. When this happens, you can use the following suggestions to mask the air within your home on short notice.
A Open Windows
Allowing fresh air to sweep through your house can do wonders in reducing that amount of odor that builds up within your home. If you are planning to have visitors plan on leaving the windows open an hour prior to their arrival.
B Air Freshener
These devices take awhile to get warmed up, but work well over longer periods of time. Within a few hours of plugging a freshener within your home, you will be able to enjoy a freshened aroma.
C Febreze
This product works wonders within a short period of time. Simply spray down the areas of your house where the majority of the smoke odors area exist. While this will mask the odor for a short period time, it is by no means a long lasting solution.
D Candles
Candles can help in burning musty air and replacing it with a freshen scent. Placing candles in the smokiest rooms of the house and burning them for 30 minutes can majorly reduce the detection of tobacco odors.
Long-term Solutions
If you really want to remove the tobacco odor for visitors or for home resale, you will need to remove the residue at it’s source. These requires the laborious task of cleaning the walls, ceiling, carpeting, furniture and clothing.
Walls
A Step 1: Bleach
Bleach is the most effective ingredient for removing smoke residues from walls and ceiling. Mix 1 part bleach with 6 parts water and scrub down the all of the walls and ceilings within your house. Be sure to have open the windows before beginning this process to allow for ventilation and faster drying.
B Step 2: Vinegar and Baking Soda
If residual smell persists after washing the walls and ceiling down with bleach you can apply a formula of vinegar and baking soda to remove the remaining odors. Mix 1 part baking soda, 1 part vinegar and 8 parts water to create the solution. After the bleach has dried, wash all of the walls and ceilings down with this solution and open windows to allow it to air dry.
Carpeting
A Baking Soda
This household substance is very effective at absorbing and removing odors. Sprinkle high quantities of this powder over the entirety of the carpeting leaving no area untouched. Allow baking soda to sit for 24-48 hours before returning to vacuum from the carpeting. If the tobacco smoke has gone through the fiber and into the underlying padding it can be challenging to remove. If this is the case, you may need to seek the help of professional carpet cleaners.
Linens
A Wash Clothing & Linens
If you have smoked within close proximity of your closet, you may need to remove all of your clothing to and wash them. This can be a lot of work, but if they smell of tobacco you do not want them stinking up your house.
Furniture
Removing smoke residues from furniture can vary based upon the material that is is constructed from. Fabric, leather and wood furniture all need different treatments.
A Fabric
If the furniture is made of fabric, your best option will be to use a steam cleaner to get deep down within the fiber. The shampoo washes out much of the smoke residue and neutralizes the smell. Place the piece of furniture outside in the shade to allow for it to air dry.
B Leather
The best product for this is Orange TKO. This product is made naturally from orange peels, and the citric acid works in cutting through the smoky residues that cling to leather furniture. Pour some Orange TKO on a cloth and wipe down the entire surface of the leather furniture. For added measure, you can also pour baking soda within the lining to freshen the cushion.
C Wood
Similar to Orange TKO, the citric acid within lemon oil eats through the smoke residues on the wood’s surface. Apply lemon oil to a cloth and wipe down the entire surface of the furniture’s wood.
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