When it comes to lingering odors, smoke might be one of the most difficult to remove. Smoke can be stubborn and often linger long after the smoke has cleared. Whether from cigarettes, a bonfire, a house fire, or even burnt food, the smell can seep into fabrics, walls, and furniture, creating an unpleasant living environment.
We’ll break down why smoke causes odors and give you some tips and tricks for removing the odor – and when it might be time to call a professional.
Why Does Smoke Create a Strong Odor?
When something burns, it releases a mixture of chemicals and particulate matter into the air. These substances include:
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): These are carbon-containing chemicals that easily become vapors or gasses. Common VOCs in smoke include formaldehyde, benzene, and acrolein, all of which contribute to the pungent smell.
- Particulates: Tiny solid particles and liquid droplets, such as ash and soot, become suspended in the air during combustion. These particulates can cling to surfaces, embedding themselves deep into fabrics, carpets, and other porous materials.
- Tars and Resins: These sticky substances are produced particularly from tobacco smoke and can adhere to surfaces, making them difficult to remove.
- Gasses: Combustion produces gasses like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, which can also carry odors.
Why Smoke Odors Linger
Odors are a byproduct of combustion, and become trapped in porous materials through smoke. Smoke odors are persistent because the particles and chemicals adhere to various surfaces and can penetrate deeply into materials. Smoke especially likes to cling onto porous materials like soft furnishings, carpets, drywall, and even pain.
Traditional cleaning methods often only address surface-level contamination, but without getting the embedded chemicals and materials, the odor will continue to be a nuisance.
Tips for Smoke Odor Removal
Because standard cleaning methods don’t address the embedded smoke odors, removing smoke odors requires a multi-faceted approach. Here are some of the most effective techniques:
1. Ventilation
Opening windows and using fans to circulate air can help disperse smoke particles and freshen up the space. However, this method generally only works for mild smoke odors and needs to be combined with other methods for better results.
2. Deep Cleaning
Thoroughly clean all surfaces and items in the affected area. This includes:
- Walls and Ceilings: Wash with a solution of vinegar and very hot water or a commercial cleaner designed for smoke residue.
- Floors: Shampoo carpets and rugs. Mop hard floors with a solution of hot water and a mild detergent.
- Furniture: Clean upholstery with a fabric cleaner or hire a professional cleaning service for more thorough decontamination.
- Windows: Clean glass and frames to remove any residue.
While this will only clean the surface level, it’s still a good idea to remove these smells and assess how strong the smoke odor is after a deep clean.
3. Use Absorbent Materials
Certain materials can absorb odors from the air and from fabrics:
- Baking Soda: Sprinkle on carpets, furniture, and other fabrics, let it sit for a few hours, then vacuum it up.
Activated Charcoal: Place bowls of activated charcoal around the room to absorb odors.
Vinegar: Leave bowls of vinegar in the room to neutralize odors naturally.
4. Air Purifiers
High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters can capture fine particles and improve air quality. Look for purifiers with activated carbon filters, which are particularly effective at absorbing VOCs and other gaseous pollutants.
5. Professional Restoration Services
For significant smoke damage, especially after a fire, professional smoke odor removal services may be necessary. While the DIY methods are a good place to start, letting experts who have advanced techniques and equipment handle the odor once and for all will alleviate your stress and get your space back to normal as soon as possible.
Preventing Future Smoke Odors
To keep your home free of smoke odors, consider these preventive measures:
- No Smoking Indoors: Encourage smoking outside to prevent tobacco smoke from infiltrating your home.
- Use Exhaust Fans: In kitchens and areas prone to smoke, use exhaust fans to vent smoke outside.
- Regular Maintenance: Clean and maintain your HVAC system to prevent the buildup and recirculation of smoke particles.
Need Professional Help?
Lightspeed Restoration is here for you. You can count on Lightspeed Restoration’s experience and expertise to make a difficult situation easier. If you need smoke odor removal that goes beyond home techniques, schedule an appointment and get a rapid response.