Once the smell of smoke sinks into your home, it can feel impossible to get it out.
Third-hand smoke refers to the residual smell left behind by tobacco that seeps into your walls, carpets, clothing, hair, etc. Cigarette smoke isn’t the only thing that can leave behind a
lingering smoke odor.
Places like San Antonio in Texas are prone to wildfires, which can lead to a smokey odor. Even something as simple as a kitchen mishap can leave your home smelling like smoke for weeks.
Homeowners often struggle to remove the housefire or cigarette smell from their house.
And, if you’re seeking to sell your house, and you’re selling your house for cash, you’ll want to get the best possible price. That’s why you should do your best to remove the smell of smoke from your home.
Don’t worry. We have you covered. Here are some ways you can effectively get the smell of smoke out of your house.
How To Get Smoke Smell Out Your House Effectively
One or more of the following methods should be effective for removing the smoke smell from your home. We recommend acting as fast as possible for the best results.
Open the Windows To Let In Fresh Air
Cracking open your doors and windows to let fresh air into your home is the first step you should take to remove the smell of smoking from your home. You should leave the air in your home out for a while to allow the smoke odor to dissipate. The better the air quality and circulation, the quicker the smoke will dissipate.
Clean the Hard Surfaces
You should scrub all the hard surfaces in your home, such as your counters, doors, and any other solid household items, with a cleaning solution made from one part vinegar or bleach and one part hot water.
The most straightforward way to deep clean your home with this mixture is by using a spray bottle and a cloth.
Deep Clean Your Walls and Ceilings
Cleaning hard surfaces like your walls and ceilings can be tricky. They require a stronger cleaning solution than other surface areas to deodorize appropriately. The solution calls for half a gallon of warm water, a quarter cup of white vinegar, a half cup of baking soda, and a half cup of ammonia.
Steam Clean Your Carpets
A steam cleaner will be useful for vacuuming severely smoke-damaged carpets. You can brain one by either purchasing it or renting it from a cleaning service. They work on more surfaces than carpets and are very effective.
Wash Any Fabric That the Smell Seeped Into
Clothing isn’t the only thing you should toss into the washing machine. Check if your curtains, mattress, sofa covers, bed sheets, pillowcases, and other fabric items are washing machine safe, and throw them in the washer if they are.
Use a half-cup of white vinegar in your first wash, then do a second cycle with a high-quality laundry detergent to get the smell out.
Swap Out Your HVAC Filters
Your HVAC filters can absorb the smell of smoke, which leads to the smell of smoke sticking around in your house. You should switch them out to avoid a buildup of smoke particles. Something else you can do is use activated charcoal or HEPA filters.
Ger an Ozone Generator
An ozone generator will altogether remove any residual smoke smells from your home through oxidization. These devices are very powerful and work very well for removing stubborn odors.
Get an Air Purifier
Air purifiers effectively improve your home’s air quality and remove foul odors. The best air purifier you can get for deodorizing is one with HEPA air filters for the best results when prioritizing odor removal.
Call in the Professionals
If trying to DIY deodorize your home doesn’t work, insist on the help of professional cleaning service to help you with your home’s smoke damage.
Can You Fully Get Rid of Smoke Smell in a House?
If I were looking for someone to buy my house in Texas, I’d probably be asking myself, “Is it possible to fully get rid of smoke smell in a house?”
The truth is while there are products and methods you can use to remove the smoke smell from your home, there are cases where there’s nothing you can do. Smoke particles are minuscule, so they can easily enter the nooks and crannies of your home.
Once the smell of smoke becomes embedded in your carpets, upholstery, curtains, or other pieces of furniture, then there’s not much you can do apart from removing these tainted pieces. That’s why you need to act as fast as possible before the smoke molecules get the chance to permeate your home.
Cheap Ways To Remove Smell of Smoke From House
Try these common household products if you’re trying to deodorize your home on a budget.
Use Baking Soda To Absorb the Odor
Baking soda has natural odor-absorbing properties that make it an effective option for getting rid of lingering odors, and chances are you already have some lying around. All you have to do is sprinkle a layer of baking soda over the affected areas and leave it to sit there for a few days, and it will absorb the smell.
This method is perfect for upholstered furniture and carpets. You only need to vacuum the baking soda when you’re done.
Scrub Your Home With White Vinegar
White vinegar is another effective and affordable deodorizing option you can use to remove smoke odor. Place containers of vinegar around your home to absorb the scent.
You should try adding an essential oil like lavender to the vinegar to reduce the smell further. The added essential oils will give your home a pleasant smell.
Vinegar is also effective for removing the smell of smoke from fabrics.
Use Ammonia For Your Floors
Vinegar has a corroding effect on grouted floors, so you should use an ammonia solution to guarantee the best results. Use one cup of ammonia and one gallon of warm water to create your cleaning solution.
Try Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is excellent for detoxing and deodorizing. Get come powdered activated charcoal and place it in containers around your house to absorb the smoke residue in your home. It’s very effective for removing stale smoke smells.
If you’re unable to get activated charcoal, regular coal can work, but it will be less effective.
Get Air Refresher
You can use air fresheners to cover the smell of smoke in your home. Febreeexe is a popular air refresher that you can add to your collection of cleaning products. Scented candles are also effective.
Top Tips for Getting All of the Smell of Smoke Out of Your House
Here are the best tips to get rid of this unwanted smell.
- Ensure that your home is adequately ventilated, so the odor doesn’t get a chance to settle.
- Use an odor sealing primer before you repaint your home.
- Varnish your wooden floor.
- If you used an areal fire retardant to put out a fire, scrubbing the area with laundry detergent can remove the smell.
- You may not be able to save all the furniture in your home from the smell of smoke. In some cases replacing the item is the best option.
- Your HVAC filters should be changed frequently. Set reminders, so remember to swap out.
- You can use coffee grounds and halved apples to absorb smoke residue.
Conclusion
In addition to being uncomfortably and embarrassing for homeowners, having your home smell of unpleasant odors such as smoke can reduce its market value.
We’ve outlined several steps you can take to remove the smell. We’ve also outlined some cost-effective options.
If you’re seeking to sell a house in the Texas area, we are here for you. We’ve maintained top ratings as one of Texa’s most reliable and efficient home buying services since 2009. We buy houses in San Antonio, and we’re one of the most trusted companies that buy houses in Live Oak owners are hoping to sell.
And if you don’t have the money or time to make repairs, you shouldn’t worry. Repair before selling a house will not be necessary! We at Sell My House Fast San Antonio, TX, will take care of everything.
We can help you sell your home fast. Contact us today!