How to Get Rid of Cigarette Smell in Your Home

Cigarette smells are the hardest to get out of your home, even more difficult than cannabis or vape smells. Burning causes a chemical reaction called pyrolysis that releases thousands of compounds into the air.

Nicotine residue and tar are two of the culprits that cause smoke to linger around because it sticks to:

• Carpets

• Ceilings 

• Flooring 

• Furniture

• Walls 

If the tar, nicotine and other compounds are allowed to settle around the home, it will cause what is known as thirdhand smoke. Cigarette smoke is so potent that it releases odors for months or years if you don’t address it properly.

Masking the smell will provide temporary relief, but once the masking fades, the strong scent comes right back.

We’ll explain how to get rid of cigarette smell at the source so that your home doesn’t have that lingering scent of smoke hanging around.

How to Get Rid of Cigarette Smell Fast

Getting rid of cigarette odors fast is only possible if you take measures while smoking or try to minimize the smells. Long-term usage requires a deep cleaning to eliminate the scent, but this is what we recommend in the meantime:

• Open the windows before and after smoking to allow the odor to leave the space

• Use an odor neutralizer that has enzymes in it and not just a fragrance-based spray

• Wash your hands, change your clothes and rinse out your mouth

• Wipe down high-touch surfaces, such as your countertops, desks, chairs and appliances

A quick cleaning of your space will help you remove some of the residue that sticks to virtually every area of your home.

How to Remove Smoke Smells for Good with Deep Cleaning 

A deep cleaning can help remove smoke smells that have set into upholstery, ceilings, walls and other surfaces in your home.

Walls and Ceilings

Walls and ceilings are some of the largest surface areas of a room, and they can easily become a source of off-gassing smoke smells.

To remove odors:

• Wash with a solution of trisodium phosphate (TSP) and warm water. Wipe down all of the walls starting from the bottom to avoid streak staining.

• Wash again with clean water and a fresh sponge to remove soap residue.

• Clean lightbulbs and fixtures with a damp microfiber cloth.

Do I Need to Repaint if I Get Rid of the Smoke Smell?

In severe cases, yes. A deep cleaning will remove tar, but microscopic smoke particles can still penetrate plaster and drywall.

If you do repaint, make sure that you use an odor-blocking primer.

Carpets and Rugs

Soft fibers in carpets and rugs are like sponges. They absorb smoke particles and oily residues with ease. 

To remove them, you’ll need to follow a precise process:

1. Vacuum with a HEPA vacuum. Vacuuming first will remove loose soot particles.

2. Steam clean. Consider renting a commercial machine or using a specialized enzymatic cleaning solution meant for odors and smoke.

3. Remove carpet padding. If you’re dealing with heavy or prolonged smoke exposure, the smell has likely penetrated into the foam padding beneath the carpet. You’ll need to replace it if you really want to be rid of the smoke odor.

Upholstery and Curtains

Furniture and window treatments can easily absorb heavy amounts of airborne smoke. Here’s how to deep clean them:

• Wash any machine-safe curtains and slipcovers in the washing machine with a heavy-duty detergent, warm water and a cup of distilled white vinegar.

• For upholstery, vacuum first and then use a fabric steamer.

How Do I Get the Smoke Smell Out of a Couch or Mattress?

For couches and mattresses, follow a four-step process.

1. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the entire surface area. Allow it to sit for 12-24 hours to absorb odors and moisture.

2. Vacuum up the baking soda using an upholstery brush attachment.

3. Use an enzyme cleaner to neutralize odors. 

4. Air dry in the sunlight if possible. Placing cushions outside, for example, allows fresh air and UV rays to freshen the fabric and break down some of the smoke compounds.

Hard Floors and Windows

Smoke can leave sticky and greasy film on hard surfaces, like glass, wood or vinyl. The cleaning method you use depends on the surface and material.

• Hardwood and laminate. Mop with a pH-neutral cleaner and avoid soaking wood floors.

• Tile and vinyl. Use a degreasing floor cleaner that’s appropriate for your material. Vinegar and water can also be effective, but avoid using it on stone or vinyl.

• Windows and frames. Clean glass panes, vinyl frames and tracks with a glass cleaner or heavily diluted ammonia. 

How Do I Get Rid of the Yellow Film on Walls and Windows?

The yellow residue you see on walls or windows is the result of tar, nicotine and combustion oils. 

To remove it, you’ll need to use a strong degreasing cleaner. A concentrated mix of vinegar and water can also be effective.

Consider using microfiber cloths to scrub the film. They do a great job of gripping sticky oils compared to paper towels.

Vents, Filters and Fans

Your HVAC system recirculates smoke residue into your home every time the fan kicks on. A deep cleaning will help remove smells from the source and prevent your system from pushing them back into your space.

• Replace your filters. Use high-efficiency filters with activated carbon for best results.

• Remove your metal vent covers and wash them in warm, soapy water.

• If heavy smoking occurred over a long period of time, consider having a professional clean and sanitize your ductwork. 

Do Air Purifiers and Odor Absorbers Remove Smoke Smells?

When most people think about removing smoke smells, air purifiers and fresheners are usually the first things to come to mind. 

But do they actually work? 

Only to a degree.

Here’s what you need to know.

How Air Purifiers Reduce Cigarette Smell

Air purifiers can reduce smoke smells, but they need to have the right filters. Standard or budget home units aren’t always powerful enough to remove smoke.

For it to work, you need a model that has both a HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter. 

• The HEPA filter can trap physical particulates (or the visible smoke)

• The activated carbon filter can trap gaseous smoke smells 

Without both of these filters, your air purifier will struggle to keep unwanted odors out of your home.

Even if your unit has both of these filters, it may not get the job done because the filters are too saturated or the model is too small for your space.

Do Odor Absorbers Help with Smoke Smells?

Sometimes. It really depends on what type of odor absorbers you’re using. Remember that smoke has both micro-particles and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Masking agents like air fresheners and scented sprays will only cover up the smell temporarily.

But there are some products that can be effective:

• Baking soda and bags of activated charcoal. Both are good for small and enclosed spaces like closets or cars, but they won’t be very effective at clearing a large smoke-filled room.

• Ozone generators. These can be very effective for severe smoke damage remediation, but they aren’t a practical option for most people. All people and pets must be evacuated when the machine is in use because they emit toxic ozone gas that can permanently damage lung tissue. If you do decide to go this route, use caution and consider bringing in a professional to help.

Do Air Fresheners Cover Up Smoke Smell or Remove It?

Traditional air fresheners only cover up the smell. They do not remove it. That’s because these products work by overwhelming your olfactory system with heavy scents. They mask the smell temporarily, but once their fragrance dissipates, the unwanted odors will return.

In some cases, heavy floral or vanilla perfumes can make the smoke smell even worse.

Here’s why standard air fresheners don’t work:

• They do not break down or bond with gaseous volatile organic compounds found in smoke smells.

• They don’t interact with tar and oil residue. Air fresheners just float in the air for a few minutes. The smoke residue continues to off-gas underneath it.

If you’re really set on using a spray to get rid of smoke smells, then make sure you use an enzymatic and encapsulating product. These actually bind to odor molecules and neutralize them on contact.

How to Prevent Cigarette Smells with Sploofs and Smart Habits

Removing the cigarette smell from your home or car is just the first step. If you want to keep your space smelling fresh, you need to prevent odors from settling into your furniture, walls and other surfaces.

That’s where VEIL comes in. But you can also pair our personal smoke filter (or sploof) with other smart habits to keep your smoking discreet and less noticeable.

How a Personal Smoke Filter Works 

Personal smoke filters like VEIL are designed to catch and trap smoke and odor particles at the point of exhale. 

Just exhale into the device, and the filters inside will work their magic.

VEIL’s filtration system has multiple layers to help manage moisture, particulate matter, aerosol and, of course, odors. These layers include:

• Fibrous media

• Activated carbon

• Moisture-managing material

The activated carbon layer  helps neutralize smells and smoke through adsorption, a process in which gas molecules stick to the surfaces of a solid material rather than being soaked up like a sponge. 

Unlike some other sploofs, VEIL is reusable. These filters are contained in a cartridge that you can replace once its performance starts to decline.

Each cartridge is enclosed inside the VEIL housing, so it’s hidden and discreet.

Along with VEIL, there are other steps you can take to prevent smoke smells at home.

Smoke Only in Designated Areas

One of the simplest ways to keep cigarette smells out of your house is to create designated areas for it. Maybe you only allow smoking on the back porch, in the bathroom or in the bedroom. 

Limiting your smoking to just one or two spaces will make it easier to keep the rest of your home clean and fresh.

If you also use a personal filter or sploof at the same time, you’ll limit smells and smoke even further. 

Keep the Windows Open and a Fan On

Whether or not you’re smoking in a designated area of your house, you can limit smells and smoke by keeping windows open and a fan on.

Try using your sploof and keeping your lit cigarette outside of the window. 

Run an Air Purifier While You Smoke and After

Air purifiers can add an extra layer of odor and smoke removal if you use the right one. Invest in one that has a HEPA filter and/or a carbon filter. 

If you combine these habits with a sploof like VEIL, you can maximize odor and smoke prevention.

Does a Sploof Really Work for Cigarettes?

Yes, sploofs can absolutely filter smoke and smells. The only thing it can’t do is control the smoke that comes directly off your cigarette.

But when you exhale into VEIL (or another sploof), it will trap the odor and smoke particles.