How do I remove cigarette smoke from my house?

Amazing Grace !
by Amazing Grace !
I am a smoker and I made the mistake of smoking in my new home. Even though I can not smell it, people who do NOT smoke have commented that my home smells like cigarettes. I have heard that "activated charcoal" can remove the odor by putting the briquettes around the house in a pan. I was also thinking I could put a larger amount inside the return for my AC unit. Does anyone have any other suggestions. Additionally, I have newly installed Pergo Laminate flooring and they caution NOT to use chemicals on it, just water. I have found a little Fabuloso in the bucket is a great odor killing smell. Any other suggestions out there? I will be renting my Villa out for the upcoming winter season - Jan, Feb, and March.. and I want to make sure this place doesn't smell of cigarettes. Thank you!

  13 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Aug 06, 2017

    place open boxed of baking soda all over to absorb the odors,open the windows,put fans on,and use additional natural odor aborbers,do not use the sprays they tent to mask odors and take them out.

  • Alyssa Alyssa on Aug 06, 2017

    Here are some more tips: http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Smoke-Smell-out-of-Your-House Pay special attention to carpets, rugs and upholstery because textiles really trap smells.

  • Tap28821439 Tap28821439 on Aug 06, 2017

    Wash the walls. Nicotine, like grease and food odors, stick to the walls. We had a renter that smoked. The only thing that worked was to wash the walls. You will see the yellow nicotine stain come off on the rag. Wipe everything down with the fabuloso. Once you do this, change the filter on the AC. If you were a heavy smoker, then painting the walls. Could also be that the smell stuck to your curtains and sofa. You may have to clean those too. Fabreze also helps. Good Luck!

  • Karen Tokarse Karen Tokarse on Aug 06, 2017

    This will be a radical reply, but this WORKS. In fact, this is the process used after Hurricane Katrina to get rid of mold in commercial buildings. It not only removes mold, mildew, etc., but it also gets rid of odors. Go to http://www.g2sacraments.org and order a bottle of Sodium Chlorite (G2Sacrements) ($15) and a bottle of HCL Activator ($11). Pour 50 drops of the Sodium Chlorite into a glass or cup. Pour 50 drops of Activator into another glass of cup. Combine BOTH in one glass, put the glass on the floor in the center of the room, close the door and LEAVE the house for several hours. When you return, the odors will be gone and there will be nothing in the glass. This is the way I also clean my toilet. You will be amazed!

    • Millie Millie on Aug 06, 2017

      Sodium Chlorite is dangerous and if not handled carefully could ignite. I would strongly caution anyone except a professional knowledgable about it's use against using it.

  • Mia Lugar Mia Lugar on Aug 06, 2017

    Lemon scented room spray, bowls of baking soda around, Remove smoker and smoke outside. Your clothes carry the odor back into your house and onto your furniture, closet etc.

  • Millie Millie on Aug 06, 2017

    Wipe all surfaces possible with a cloth dampened with white vinegar. Walls, ceiling, floors, window moldings, everything. Then don't forget the fabrics that can absorb odors. Wash all possible including clothes in the closet if you smoked in those rooms. If you smoked for only a short time it will take care of the problem. Pay most attention to the area where you smoked. Then get an air freshener or use Febreeze ao diluted fabric softener for a while.

  • Karen Tokarse Karen Tokarse on Aug 06, 2017

    Dangerous? Are you kidding? lI DRINK this stuff every day. Please see www.quantumleap.is to see how this has CURED people of malaria, arthritis, diabetes and CANCER. Yes, CANCER. Please do your research for the truth -- not the propaganda the drug companies spew.

  • Amazing Grace ! Amazing Grace ! on Aug 06, 2017

    Wow, thanks everyone for your suggestions... I will try several of them.. I have wool rugs ACK... that's going to be a nitemare.. primarily I just smoked in my bedroom... but the ac spreads the smell throughout the house.. who knew... Thanks again :)


  • Amazing Grace ! Amazing Grace ! on Aug 06, 2017

    I can not do the ceiling as it is a popcorn ceiling, but I will get real busy on the walls. I also have a super shag (expensive) area rug in the living room... I don't think that can be washed? or steam cleaned... my other rugs are wool oriental type and I think they can be cleaned with a steamer? I regret this like you have no idea... I just painted the whole house too back in September... ACKKKKK


  • Anna Y Anna Y on Aug 06, 2017

    If you put some white vinegar and and water in a pan and boil it on the stove it should get rid of the smell. My mother-in-law does that and her house does not smell of cigarettes.

  • Vinegar. Chances are, the wall will need to be wiped down with it.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jan 05, 2024

    Wash soft furnishings as it will have been absorbed.

  • Mogie Mogie on Feb 06, 2024

    Dry cleaning methods, such as vacuuming with HEPA filters and dry wiping, are commonly used to remove loose particles. Increase ventilation by opening windows and doors, and use fans or air purifiers to facilitate airflow. This helps remove airborne smoke particles and freshens the indoor environment.