5 Expert-Backed Ways to Get Rid of the Smoke Smell in Your House
When you’re trying to put the pieces back together after a kitchen or house fire, a lingering smoke smell is an unwelcome reminder of everything you just went through. That’s why it’s important to take some time during the restoration process to get rid of all that smoke smell hanging around your home.
If you’re unable to hire professionals to rid your space of the scent, you can try to do it yourself. Here’s how to get rid of the smoke smell in your house without the help of a pro, according to a home restoration expert.
Use vinegar.
As usual, vinegar is a cleaning powerhouse in your home. Peter Duncanson, vice president of training and development at ServiceMaster Restore, suggests wiping down the walls, floors, and other areas affected by smoke with white vinegar. Don’t forget to rinse the surfaces afterward! Duncanson also says you can place bowls of white vinegar throughout your home, because the vinegar will absorb the smoke odor over the next several days.
Sprinkle baking soda.
Similarly, Duncanson says, you can leave bowls of baking soda out around the home to absorb smoke odors. If that doesn’t work for you (hello, sneaky cats!), you can sprinkle generous amounts of it on carpets and furniture, then leave it to sit for a few hours. Afterwards, vacuum it all up, taking the smoke smell with it.
Ventilate properly.
Once the fire is extinguished, ventilation is your friend. Open your doors and windows and leave them open, if you can (it helps to do this on a windy day). “The gusts of clean outside air will gradually thin out the smoky odors,” Duncanson says. “Smoke smells will blow away in the wind, leaving your home with improved air quality.”
Try charcoal.
Charcoal has more benefits than just leaving a delicious taste on your grilled food. Air purifiers with charcoal filters will help absorb smoke smells, and just like vinegar and baking soda, leaving out some charcoal briquettes for a few days will go a long way in reducing odors.
Get an ozone generator.
It may be a little expensive, but an ozone generator is one of the best ways to remove smoke smells from your home, because it removes the actual smoke particles, Duncanson says. If you don’t want to buy one, many hardware stores allow you to rent one. Just be sure you’re following the directions for using the machine — you don’t want to be in the room when it’s running or let it run for longer than the recommended time.
Further Reading
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