How to Get Rid of the Stink from Cigarette Smoke

Ask any non-smoker how to get rid of stale cigarette smoke in your house, and they'll probably say “QUIT SMOKING!” Well, who isn't tired of hearing that answer?

But, the truth of the matter is that cigarette smoke infiltrates furniture, carpets, walls, windows, and every other nook and cranny in our homes. Smokers are, generally, unaware of the smell. The left-over smell of cigarette smoke in a home is more than just noticeable.

If you are not ready to kick the smoking habit, there are some methods to control the smell within our environments. Who knows, the next delivery person that shows up at your door could be your 'prince charming,' and if they hate that smoke smell, your chance to make a good impression is gone forever.

So, just how do you get rid of foul-smelling odors left behind from cigarettes? Here's some tips to get rid of cigarette smoke.

Vinegar will remove the leftover resins and tars that cause the smell of lingering smoke. Vinegar cuts through resin and tar, and is a good way to clean surfaces. Vinegar doesn't smell good, I know, but its smell disappears, and cigarette smoke does not.

Steam sterilizes and removes smoke smells from carpets, but first you will need to shampoo them. You can hire a professional, or do it yourself with a good carpet steam cleaner.

Baking Soda is a good agent to get rid of smoke odor. It does require a bit of time and work to complete the process, but the results are good. Sprinkle baking soda on the furniture and carpet that has not been shampooed. Rub the baking soda into the furniture fabric and allow it to settle in the carpet for a day or two. The baking soda will absorb some of the smoke smell. Vacuum the furniture and carpets and repeat the process a couple more times throughout the week.

Shades, blinds, curtains and their fixtures need to be cleaned, also. Draperies and such collect a lot of tar and resin from years of hanging in smoke-filled air. The best solution is to wash the curtains, buy new shades and wipe fixtures, like chandeliers, with ammonia to make sure the smell is gone.

Fresh air is one of the best ways to remove smoke odor from a house. Opening windows and doors every few days for a whole day helps get the stink of cigarettes out of the house.

Air fresheners and sprays help temporarily, but the odor is only masked, not removed. The only alternative is to clean, scrub or replace the home contents to get rid of years of cigarette smoke smell and quit smoking inside the house.

All this is fine and dandy, but for many people who do not intend or want to quit smoking, an electronic cigarette is the next best answer. E-cigarettes do not produce a tobacco smell, because they have no tobacco. The smoke is actually a vapor and no one will be the wiser if you smoke inside the house. You get your nicotine 'fix' without stinking up the joint!