Ah, the unmistakable scent of cigarette smoke. In a way, it’s like that annoying party guest who just won’t leave. Seriously, it just won’t leave. You think time would help make the smell go away, but it doesn’t help. But for anyone trying to kick the smoking habit, dealing with that lingering smell in your home can be an extra challenge.
Yes, seriously, it seeps into your clothes, your furniture, and even your walls, making it hard to create a fresh, inviting space. But what can you do? Well, don’t think that hope is lost. You can still overcome your addiction, and that gross stale smoke smell doesn’t have to tempt you either. So, with all of that said, here’s exactly what you need to do to finally banish that disgusting stale smoke smell for good and breathe easy again. Now, here’s how to do it!
Replace the Habit with a Vape (They Smell Better)
Quitting smoking isn’t just about removing triggers—it’s also about finding alternatives that make the journey easier. Sure, you can try to cut it all off quickly, but that doesn’t work for most people. Instead, you might want to look into buying yourself a vape pen, ideally rechargeable vapes since they’re more eco-friendly than disposable ones. It takes time to overcome an addiction, and vapes are a great way to slowly stop. Plus, the air is a lot cleaner since it’s not smoke (but vapour), and there are no horrible smells either. Actually, you can choose the flavours, which, yes, impacts the smells (like fruity flavours.
Start with a Deep Clean of All Fabrics
So, you’ll need to go ahead and tackle those soft surfaces where smoke loves to hide. That’s going to be the curtains, carpets, cushions, and these fabrics are like sponges for that gross smoke smell. It’s time for a good deep clean! But where do you even start with something like that? Well, remove what you can, like the curtains and cushion covers, according to their care instructions.
Each item may or may not have different instructions on how to wash them. But the same can be said for clothes too. While sure you’ve most likely been cleaning your clothes, it might not be enough to remove the smell. There are special detergents to get rid of deep odours. But for carpets and rugs, renting a carpet cleaner or calling in professionals can lift those smoky odours right out. It might seem like a chore, but once those fabrics smell fresh again, you’ll feel like you’ve got a brand-new space.
Embrace the Power of Vinegar and Baking Soda
Is this old school? Yeah, sure, but honestly, it’s fantastic! Seriously, you can’t go wrong with using these old housewife tricks! Sure, vinegar has a bad smell, but again, it has a way of getting odours out. Vinegar absorbs odours rather than just masking them, making it a fantastic ally in your battle against smoke. Air fresheners, including Frebreeze, mask the scent, but vinegar doesn’t.
So, you just need to place bowls of white vinegar around your home, it takes time, but eventually that will neutralise the smell. But when it comes to carpet and even upholstery, you might want to look into sprinkling baking soda on it and let that sit over nice, and then vacuum the next day. Ideally, you might need to repeat these a few times, but again, remember, that smoke smell penetrates deep!
Open the Windows and Let the Fresh Air In
If you’re limited on what you can do, well, there is this option. Seriously, nothing beats a good blast of fresh air when it comes to clearing out that stale smoke smell. So, why not open those windows wide and let the breeze flow through? If you’ve got ceiling fans, turn them on to really get that air circulating.
Now, most homes should ideally have their windows open for at least 15 minutes a day if they lack ventilation. But regardless of ventilation, you should get some fresh air in there, ideally when it’s good weather of course. But it really can help with that gross ashtray smell.
Get an Air Purifier for Extra Help
Ventilation was mentioned earlier, but this also deserves to be mentioned too. So, if the smell of smoke still lingers, investing in an air purifier can make a world of difference. Ideally, you should look for one with a HEPA filter, as these are great at trapping tiny particles—including smoke. Just plug it in and let it do its thing! You can easily buy one from Amazon for a fairly inexpensive price or even second-hand.
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