If you’re a smoker, then you know how difficult it can be to get the smell of smoke out of your clothes, hair, your car, let alone your house. Not only is it unpleasant for visitors and guests, but it can also be a huge turnoff for potential buyers when you go to sell your house.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the best ways to get the smell of cigarette smoke out of your house before selling. We’ll also provide some tips on how to completely clean a smoker’s house before putting it on the market. So let’s get started!
How to Get the Smell of Smoke Out of a House
Getting a smoke smell out of your house can be challenging, however, there are a few things you can do to help remove the odor.
One of the first things you need to do is identify all the places where smoke has infiltrated your home. This includes any upholstered furniture, carpets, drapes, and even clothes. Once you’ve identified all the places where smoke has infiltrated your home, you need to start by cleaning them. This can be a time-consuming and difficult process, but it’s necessary if you want to get rid of the smoke smell.
Another great way to get rid of a smoke smell is to ventilate your home as much as possible. This can be done by opening windows and doors to let fresh air in, or by using fans to circulate the air.
Below are some other effective ways to remove the smoke smell from your home.
Use air fresheners
Air fresheners can help mask the smoke smell, but they will not get rid of it completely. If you use an air freshener, make sure to open a window so that the smoke smell doesn’t become trapped in your home.
Clean all surfaces
Cigarette smoke can settle on surfaces and make them smell. To remove the smoke smell, clean all surfaces in your home with a mixture of vinegar and water. This includes wiping down walls, ceilings, floors, furniture, and any other surface where smoke may have settled.
Wash all fabrics
Cigarette smoke can also settle on fabrics, so it’s important to wash all fabric in your home, including curtains, bedding, clothing, and towels. You can either wash them by hand or in the washing machine. If you have sensitive skin, make sure to wear gloves when cleaning with vinegar and water.
Use a dehumidifier
A dehumidifier can help remove the smoke smell by reducing the amount of moisture in the air. This is because cigarette smoke contains water vapor, which can contribute to the smoke smell. By using a dehumidifier, you can remove some of the water vapor from the air, which will help reduce the smoke smell.
Use a smoke bomb
A smoke bomb is a device that emits a dense fog of smoke. This can help to remove the smoke smell from your home by absorbing the odor. Smoke bombs are available for purchase online or at some hardware stores.
Steam clean your carpets
Cigarette smoke can settle into carpets and make them smell. To remove the smoke smell, you can steam clean your carpets. This will help to remove the odor from the carpets and make them smell fresh and clean.
Clean mirrors and glass
Clean all glass and mirrors with a mixture of vinegar and warm water and then rinse with clean water. These hard surfaces hold onto a surprising amount of tar and soot from the smoke. If your DIY cleaning solution leaves your glass streaky, finish it off with a once-over with some basic glass cleaner.
Use activated charcoal
Set out bowls of activated charcoal throughout your house, which will absorb the smoky odor. Alternatively, try setting out bowls of kitty litter, baking soda, or coffee grinds which may also help absorb lingering smells.
Getting The Smell of Smoke Out of a House
When you’re trying to sell your house, the smell of smoke can be a major deterrent. Not only is it unpleasant for potential buyers, but it can also lower the value of your home. In fact, many real estate agents will advise you to get the smell of smoke out of your house before putting it on the market.
Whether you inherited a home with a cigarette smoke smell or you’re a smoker yourself, you’ll want to remove the smell before potential buyers start touring your home.
When people are looking for a new home, they don’t want to smell smoke for several reasons besides it being an unpleasant odor. Research has found that 70%-90% of nicotine and chemicals can remain as residue inside people’s homes which can be very harmful to one’s health.
Over time breathing in that smell and lingering carcinogens can be the cause of serious health problems such as cancer, so it’s understandable that many people are turned off by the smell of cigarette smoke.
Furthermore, the harmful carcinogens from the smoke can linger in the dust, on the walls and other surfaces and they can be dangerous for pets and small children who touch everything and then put their hands in their mouth.
But don’t worry it doesn’t mean your house will be condemned, and you don’t have to move out while you get rid of the smell. It just means you need to put together an action plan to get rid of the smell and why it’s so important. But, where do you start?
Up next we’ll break down how to go about cleaning a smoker’s house before selling.
Cleaning a Smoker’s House Before Selling
Getting a house ready to sell can be an overwhelming task in itself, addressing the smell of smoke and you might not know where to start. But, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Below we’ll share some tips and best ways to get the smell of smoke out of your house before selling.
One of the first places to start is with a deep cleaning. This means more than just running the vacuum around and mopping the floors. You need to get into all the nooks and crannies where smoke can hide.
This includes:
- Cleaning all the carpets
- Washing all the walls
- Cleaning or replacing air filters
- Washing all the curtains
- Dusting and cleaning all surfaces, especially hard surfaces like glass and mirrors
You might be thinking, do I really need to wash all the walls? And the answer is yes. Cigarette smoke leaves a residue on surfaces that can be hard to remove. Washing all the walls will help to remove this residue and the smell.
Last but not least, you’ll want to focus on the little details. These are the places where smoke can really linger and be difficult to get rid of.
Pay special attention to:
- Cleaning light fixtures
- Cleaning baseboards and moldings
- Washing all bedding, towels, and rugs
- Cleaning the fireplace
What Cleaning Products to Use?
It’s crucial to use chemicals to eliminate the odor of smoke before selling a smoker’s house. Ammonia and vinegar are two items that may assist with this.
-Ammonia is a great product to use because it helps break down the nicotine and other chemicals that are left behind from smoking. To use ammonia, mix one cup of ammonia with one gallon of water and use it to clean all the surfaces in your house.
-Vinegar is another great product to use because it’s a natural disinfectant and it can help remove smoke smells. To use vinegar, mix one cup of white vinegar with two cups of water and use it to clean all the surfaces in your house.
Make sure whatever products you use to clean with you wear gloves, and a mask and keep the area well ventilated.
Repainting a Smoker’s House Before Selling
Another option to consider when trying to get rid of the smell of smoke is repainting the house. This is a great option because it will help cover up any stains that might be on the walls from smoking. It will also help to seal any smells that might be in the house.
If you decide to repaint the house, it’s important to use a paint that is designed to hide smells. These paints are usually white or light colors because they help to reflect light and make smells less noticeable. If you’re not sure which color to choose, you can always ask for help from a professional painter or interior designer. They’ll be able to give you some good ideas on which colors will work best in your house.
If you’re not sure what type or brand of paint to use, be sure to ask for help at your local hardware store. They will be able to recommend a brand of paint that will work best for your needs.
Once you’ve chosen a paint color, it’s important to properly prep your house before painting. This includes removing all of the furniture from the room, as well as any pictures or other items on the walls. You’ll also want to cover up any carpeting or flooring with drop cloths.
After you’ve prepped your house, you can start painting. It’s important to use a good-quality paintbrush and roller. Be sure to follow the directions on the paint can for the best results.
When painting, be sure to:
- Paint all the walls
- Paint the ceilings
- Paint the trim and moldings
After you’ve finished painting, you should do a final walk-through of your house to make sure there are no missed spots. Once you’re satisfied with the results, you can start putting your furniture back in place.
If you don’t have the time to paint your home you can always hire a professional painter to do it for you. To paint a 2,000 sq ft house can cost an average of $3000+.
Painting your house is a good way to cover up any smells of smoke that might be lingering. It’s also a good way to give your house a fresh new look.
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The Best Way To Get Cigarette Smoke Smell Out Of a House
There are a lot of ways to get cigarette smoke out of a house. Some methods are more effective than others. Below we’ll take a look at the best ways to get cigarette smoke out of a house.
– Bring in some fresh air: Open up all the windows and doors to help air out the house. This is especially effective on days with a nice breeze.
– Use fans: Circulating the air will also help to remove the smell of smoke. Place a few fans around the house pointed towards the open windows.
– Clean with vinegar: Vinegar is a natural odor eliminator. Fill up a few bowls with vinegar and place them around the house, or use it to clean surfaces like countertops and floors.
– Use baking soda: Baking soda is another natural odor eliminator. You can sprinkle it on carpets or upholstered furniture and vacuum it up a few hours later. Or, you can make a paste with baking soda and water and use it to clean surfaces like countertops, floors, and walls.
– Use essential oils: Essential oils can help to mask the smell of smoke. You can also try using essential oils in a diffuser. Some good options include lavender, jasmine, lemon, and orange. You can also try using natural air fresheners like vanilla extract, baking soda, or coffee grinds which may also help absorb lingering smells.
–Use air fresheners: Set out bowls of scented potpourri or candles around your house to help mask the smoky smell. Besides air fresheners consider these five scents to help you sell your home.
–Get your HVAC cleaned: If you have central air and heating, it’s a good idea to get your HVAC system cleaned. This will help to remove any smoke particles that might be stuck in the ducts. Don’t forget to also replace your air filters.
–Steam clean the carpets: Carpets are notorious for holding onto smoke smells. A good steam cleaning can help to remove the smell of smoke from carpets, as well as upholstered furniture. You can either rent a carpet cleaner from a hardware store or hire a professional carpet cleaning service. Just be sure to use a cleaner that’s specifically designed for removing smoke odors.
–Invest in an air purifier: An air purifier can help to remove the smell of smoke from your house by circulating and filtering the air. Look for an air purifier with a HEPA filter, which is specifically designed for removing smoke particles from the air. The cost of an air purifier can range from $50 to $500, depending on the size and features.
–Empty all ashtrays and stop smoking in the house: Make sure to take smoking and ashtrays outside to the porch and backyard, where there’s less opportunity for absorbent material to gobble up your exhalations. Try keeping your clothes, which carry a smoke smell, in a covered laundry basket, and wash your clothes frequently.
Once you’ve completed all of these steps, you should do a final walk-through of your house to make sure there are no lingering smells. If you still notice a faint smell of smoke, you can try using activated charcoal to absorb the odor. You can find activated charcoal at most health food stores.
Still Can’t Remove the Smoke Smell…..
If you’re still not able to remove all the smoke smell you can always hire restoration specialists to do a deep cleaning of your house with specialized equipment. They’ll start with a thorough cleaning of the home then use deodorizing agents and hydroxyl or ozone generators to destroy the smelly particles. This is usually a last resort, as it can be expensive. But, if you’re selling your house, it’s important to make sure that it’s completely free of any smoke smell.
Final Takeaways
We hope this guide was helpful in getting your house ready to sell. Getting rid of the smell of smoke is an important part of making your house more appealing to potential buyers. Unfortunately cigarette smoke is one of the hardest smells to get rid of in a house. This is especially true if someone has been smoking inside the house for a long time. The good news is that there are some things you can do to get rid of the smell of smoke in your house. It will just require some elbow grease (and maybe a little money) to get the job done.
If you’d rather forgo the do-it-yourself route, you can always hire a professional restoration company to come in and deep clean your house. They have the experience and equipment to get rid of the smoke smell for good. While this option is more expensive, it’s worth it if you want to make sure your house is completely free of any smoke odor.
Another option you may not have considered would be to sell your house as-is, smoke, and all to one of the cash home buyers in Knoxville. These companies will buy your house in its current condition, no matter how bad the smoke smell is. This might be the best option if you’re short on time or money or both and just want to sell your house as quickly as possible. They can provide you with a cash offer for your home and a way for you to avoid the hassle of having to fix it up before selling.
Whether you need to sell a house in poor condition or one with a strong cigarette smell, we can help. We’re the top home buyers in Knoxville and we’re here to help you sell your house fast, no matter what condition it’s in. Give us a call today to learn more about how we can help you sell your house fast in Tennessee.
