Would Cigarette Smoke Be Cleaned the Same Way as Smoke Damage from Burned Food?
A home with a clean, fresh smell is always welcome, unlike one with a stale smoke smell, particularly for non-smokers. Cigarette smoke is one of the most annoying smells and should be done away with. Similarly, the smoke can build-up due to burnt toast or an unfortunate house fire. Whatever the cause of the smoke in your home, a disaster cleanup company will give you a hand if you cannot clear it out.
The amount of cleanup needed is determined by the smoker’s length of time on the premises and how frequently they smoked. Unfortunately, the stink can remain in your house, on everything from your furnishings and drapes to your garments.
How to Get the Stink Out
- Throw out any item related to the smoke. This applies to things like ashtrays and the likes, as they can keep the offensive smell in the house even after cleaning.
- Improve your home’s ventilation. A simple method of doing this is by opening all windows in your home to let the smoke smell out. If your windows aren’t enough, you can utilize a ventilator to improve airflow and expedite the odor removal process. Use two ventilation systems, one to blow air across the space and the other beside a window or door to discharge the bad air even further.
- Scrub hard surfaces using a mix of hot water and vinegar. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and use a rag to wipe it off to remove the odor from all hard surfaces in your home. Hard surfaces include floors, light fixtures, decorations, and more. Be careful not to spray on porous surfaces because it will result in a mold infestation, something you want to avoid.
- Clean carpets and everything covered in fabric using baking soda. Sprinkle it on surfaces and allow it on for a few days to eliminate odor compounds before vacuuming. Steam clean the carpet and fabric-covered surfaces if the smell is still there.
- Wash all fabric that can go in the machine. This includes curtains, pillow covers, exposed clothes, and so forth. Use 5 cups of vinegar in the first round and detergent as usual in the second round, then let them air dry away from the house.
- If the smoker was in the house for too long, you would have to replace your HVAC filters and clean your air ducts to ensure every inch has been touched.
- In addition, you can purchase an air purifier or an Ozone generator to deep clean your house.
Cautious About Chemicals Used? Here Is Another Option
Being exposed to harsh chemicals for long hours can result in chronic health conditions, therefore, it should not be normalized. Fortunately, you can use several natural remedies to eliminate smoke odor in your home or any enclosed space. Get several bowls, pour in the activated charcoal and apple cider vinegar, and then place in the affected rooms. These techniques will absorb the odor and is a safe way of dealing with the situation.
Similarly, you can cover the smoke with vanilla extract by using a piece of cloth to wipe over surfaces. Essential oils can also eliminate the stale smell, especially the strong ones. The final option is to get a plant that can absorb the smoke from the air, but this will take some time.
Overall, cleaning cigarette smoke has a vast difference from smoke emanating from burned food. Still, you can always contact Restoration Companies to help clean up the smoke smell with maximum efficacy.