Cigarette smoke contains greasy tar residue and although the odor can be strong and pervasive there are many effective strategies to get rid of it.
1. Vinegar and Lemon
Vinegar and lemon or vinegar alone can help neutralize smoke and nicotine. Alkaline cleaning products will not remove nicotine residue. Acidic cleaning products work best for cigarette smoke, and vinegar helps with the greasy residue (source).
2. Hydrogen Peroxide
You can mix one part 3% hydrogen peroxide with one part white distilled vinegar in a spray bottle to remove smoke odor in upholstery.
3. Vodka
You can mist upholstery and fabric lightly with vodka to help remove smoke odors. You can also use it on hard surfaces like furniture and walls to help remove smoke odors.
4. Orange Oil
Orange oil is a natural degreaser, so it can help remove oil-based chemicals like plug-in residue and cigarette smoke. You can use it on the floors and walls as well as most furniture.
I like to mix grapefruit essential oil into a natural dish soap.
5. Ammonia
If you cannot get smoke out of a surface any other way, you can wash the walls and ceiling with a mixture of 1/2 cup ammonia, 1/4 cup vinegar, and 1/2 cup baking soda in a gallon of hot water. Or just use ammonia and water 1:4.
This is of course not a non-toxic option and those who are chemically sensitive would need to have someone else do this step.
6. Enviroklenze
This uses mineral technology to neutralize fragrance as well as smoke and other chemical odors.
7. Steam Cleaning
Steam cleaning can be effective on smoky walls, floors, and upholstery. The heat “melts the hardened tar and oils encapsulating the smoke molecules, making it easy to wipe them away with a microfiber cloth or sponge”, says Bob Vila.
Many home improvement centers rent these machines.
Bob Vila advises misting the surface lightly with the vapor from the steam cleaner. Don’t linger in one area and saturate it which can damage some fabrics such as silk and even destroy drywall. Cheryl Ciecko advises against using steam cleaners on drywall because the risk of water damage and mold is too great.
8. Ozone
For smoke, start with very low doses for short amounts of time and stop if you are just starting to produce byproducts. Read my full post on ozone for precautions and airing out.
This doesn’t always work, especially on porous engineered wood or drywall where the smoke is deeply embedded. But it certainly can work on smoke and is something I would try after washing the walls and before sealing them.
Just be sure to start with low doses so you can check for interactions with building materials.
9. Seal materials
Shellac and shellac-based primers are the best sealers for smoke odor and can be used once you have cleaned up the odor as much as possible. Oil-based primers are very high in odor and VOCs so if you are sensitive to chemicals stick to water-based or alcohol-based primers like Zinsser Bullseye 123 or even pure shellac mixed yourself with Everclear alcohol.
10. Remove Materials
When you have major contamination of smoke and/or you are extremely sensitive, you may have to remove some materials. Porous materials can become very saturated with smoke. Buildings where someone smoked inside for long periods of time will have very saturated materials. You may need to remove drywall, cabinets, and carpet.
11. HVAC Clean up
When you are moving into a house that has pervasive smoke you should replace the furnace filter and have the ducts cleaned.
Corinne Segura holds certificates in Building Biology, Healthier Materials and Sustainable Buildings, and more. She has 10 years of experience helping others create healthy homes.
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