How To Get Rid Of Smoke Smell In Furniture

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Have you ever dealt with the persistent and stubborn smoke odor in your furniture? Eliminating the smell of smoke from furniture can be bothersome, especially when you aim to have a fresh and clean home. The question we’re pondering is how to effectively remove the smoke odor from furniture.

This smell might be due to smoking, exposure to smoky environments for a longer period, or buying used furniture that still carries the scent. So, the question roaming into our minds, how to get rid of the smoke smell in furniture? 

The good news is that there are effective ways to remove that lingering smoke smell from your furniture, and in this guide, I’ll show you simple and effective methods to get your furniture smelling clean and fresh again.

How To Get Rid Of Smoke Smell In Furniture?

Here are the 9 easy, and affordable methods that I have personally experienced to get rid of smoke smell in my wood furniture.  

Baking Soda

As a great odor absorber, baking soda has an ability to eliminate odors due to its chemistry. It acts like a neutralizer, combating the acidic nature of bad smells, as explained by Alex Reed (source).

All you need to do is sprinkling a good amount of baking soda on the affected furniture, particularly in those corners where the smoke smell is the most concentrated. Let it leave for several hours or overnight, then vacuum it up.

White Vinegar and Water

It is known as a smoke deodorizer, white vinegar can also help remove smoke smells. Not because it smells strongly, instead, it works as a smoke smell trapper and absorber from the air, thereby reducing smoke odors.

Combine equal portions of white vinegar and water into a spray bottle. One approach is to lightly mist the furniture, being careful not to saturate it, and then allow it to air dry.

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is special charcoal treated with oxygen, and it’s superb at soaking up gasses and odors, slightly more effective than baking soda and vinegar. 

Place small pieces of activated charcoal in small bowls or containers and put them inside the drawers or on the shelves of the smelly furniture. Smaller pieces can work better than one big chunk because they have more surface area to absorb bad smells.

Coffee Grounds

Rich in nitrogen, coffee grounds are a great way to neutralize airborne odors. Try placing a bowl of coffee grounds inside the furniture as a more natural substitute of baking soda to freshen the air. Leaving it for a few days will help eliminate any lingering smells. 

Steam Cleaning

If your furniture can withstand moisture, consider steam cleaning it to purge that smoky smell without using too many chemicals. The heat from steam cleaning breaks apart the smelly oils that trap smoke molecules in your upholstery or furniture. 

Then, water swoops in and washes those unpleasant odors out. Using super hot steam, you can disinfect and eliminate odors from your furniture while removing dirt and grime at the same time. It’s a great natural way to freshen up your furniture. You can learn detailed steps for thoroughly cleaning furniture.

Chemical Cleaner

Use commercial cleaners like Murphy’s oil soap, Bona cleaner, or Pine-sol to neutralize smoke odors in wood furniture. If your wood furniture smells like smoke, you can use a biodegradable cleaner to fix it. 

This cleaner not only removes the smell but also leaves a nice shine and conditions the wood. For tough smells that won’t go away easily, dilute the cleaners as directed, then wipe down the furniture to effectively remove the unpleasant smell, leaving your furniture refreshed. 

Sunlight and Fresh Air 

Let the fresh air and sunlight do the magic on your smoky-smelling wooden furniture. Whether it’s a small chair or a big table, take it outside to a shady spot with some breeze for a few hours, or even a couple of days when necessary. Fresh air and sunlight will work their natural deodorizing wonders, leaving your furniture smelling fresh and clean.

Seal Your Furniture

If the smoke smell is coming from the wood or surfaces of the furniture, you may need to paint or seal it to lock in the odor. I would recommend using Rust-Oleum Eye Clear Shellac sealer as it creates a protective barrier that locks in the unwanted odors and prevents them from permeating the wood. 

To apply this sealer, start by cleaning and optionally sanding the furniture, use good ventilation, and apply a thin coat. It typically dries in about 30 minutes, but drying time may vary with environmental conditions.

By applying this product to your furniture, you not only eliminate the smoky scent but also provide a long-lasting solution to keep it smelling fresh and clean for an extended period reliably and efficiently.

Professional Cleaning 

Hiring professional upholstery cleaning isn’t just about getting rid of the cigarette smell on your furniture. They come with specialized equipment and dedicated cleaning solutions to address persistent smoke odors effectively.

It’s like giving your couches and chairs a spa day, making them smell great and look as good as new. What’s more, it helps your furniture last longer and ensures a healthier home environment for you and your family.

Useful Resource: Find out how to remove spray paint odor in detail!

How to get smoke smell out of house professionally?

A professional cleaning or restoration service that specializes in eliminating smoke odors might help you get rid of smoke odors in your home.

By using specialized equipment and products, they can effectively eliminate smoke odors. Professionals may use the following steps and products:

1. Assessment and preparation:

Identifying the source of the odor and assessing smoke damage are the first steps. A professional will inspect the affected areas and plan remediation accordingly and clean up all debris.

2. Ventilation:

The removal of smoke odors requires adequate ventilation. Fresh air may be circulated throughout the home with the aid of industrial-grade fans and air purifiers.

3. Surface Cleaning:

It is essential to clean all surfaces. Professionals may use a combination of cleaning products, including:

• TSP: An effective cleaner for removing smoke residue from walls and ceilings is Trisodium Phosphate
• Ammonia: The use of ammonia is an effective method of removing grease and odors from surfaces. Be careful when using it and use it in well-ventilated areas.
• Water and Vinegar: They are an excellent natural solution for cleaning smoky furniture, windows, and floors.
• Ozone Generators: Professionals may use ozone generators to help neutralize odors. However, the process should be performed by qualified individuals because high ozone concentrations can be harmful.

4. HVAC Cleaning:

HVAC systems can trap smoke odors. A professional may clean and disinfect your HVAC ducts, change your filters, and use deodorizers to remove odors.

5. Upholstery and Carpet Cleaning:

Smoke particles can embed in fabrics, furniture and carpets.These items may be thoroughly cleaned and deodorized by professionals using specialized cleaning machines, such as steam cleaners.

6. Painting and Sealing:

Occasionally, odor-blocking paint may be required to seal in remaining odors on walls and ceilings.

7. Odor Neutralizers:

The professionals may use commercial-grade odor neutralizers or encapsulants that chemically neutralize and encapsulate smoke odors. These products can be applied to surfaces and materials.

8. Content Cleaning:

Furniture, clothing, and personal belongings damaged by smoke may require professional cleaning or restoration.

9. Final Inspection:

A final inspection will be conducted after the cleaning and restoration process is completed to ensure that all smoke odors have been effectively eliminated.

Note:

A smoke odor removal process can take a long time, and the effectiveness of these methods may vary based on the severity of the damage. If you want the best results, you must hire a reputable and certified professional who has experience in smoke remediation.

Wrapping Up

When wondering how to get rid of smoke smell in furniture, patience and persistence are key. It takes some time and repeated efforts, especially if the odor is deeply embedded into the furniture. 

Make sure to regularly ventilate the room where the furniture is located to help dissipate the lingering smoke odor. Additionally, consider using odor-absorbing products like baking soda or activated charcoal to speed up the deodorizing process and keep your furniture smelling fresh.

FAQs

Q. How long does it take to get cigarette smell out of furniture?

The average time it takes to completely remove cigarette smell from furniture is about one night. However, it depends on factors such as the type of furniture, the extent of the odor, and the methods used. It would take anywhere from a few days to several weeks for the smell to dissipate fully.

Q. What neutralizes smoke smell?

To remove cigarette smoke odors effectively, neutralize surfaces with white vinegar mix or baking soda, consider ozone treatment for thorough odor removal and use activated charcoal for lingering smells. Clean wood furniture surfaces with steam cleaner, maintain fresh air with new filters and purifiers, and, in severe cases, repaint walls and replace heavily affected items for a smoke-free environment.

Q. Does Murphy’s Oil soap remove cigarette smell?

Murphy’s Oil Soap is a suitable choice for cleaning and deodorizing wood furniture that has absorbed smoke or other strong odors.