Simply set small bowls half filled with baking soda in a few key areas around your home, on top of a stove or near a garbage pail for a few hours to absorb and neutralize burnt odors as necessary.
But you should try to begin the recovery process a few days after the blaze has cleared. Depending on the steps you take, and how diligent you are in combating the smoke particles, your odor removal timeline could range anywhere from two weeks to a month.
In the majority of cases, people use vinegar, but some people also use white wine, red wine, or apple cider because their overpowering flavors mask the burnt smell. On the other hand, some recipes can manage some chili and garlic, so just consider your recipe because adding these additional ingredients.
A Citrus Solution
Refresh your home with the smell of lemons, limes and oranges. Slice a handful of lemons and limes into a pot of water on the stove and bring it to a boil. As the solution simmers, it infuses your home with the fresh, clean scent of citrus.
Soak a pan in white vinegar or wash it out with a mixture of water and baking soda. The vinegar is a mild acid that will help loosen up the smelly burnt-on gunk, and the baking soda is a mild abrasive that will help you scrub it away.
Does Boiling Vinegar Remove Odors? Boiling a mix of water and vinegar after you cook can help neutralize the odors. Combine 1 cup of water and 3 or 4 tablespoons of white vinegar in a small pot. Heat it to boiling, remove the lid and let it continue boiling for several minutes.
To reduce the smoke smell in a room or vehicle, fill several small bowls with white vinegar, set them around the space, and let them sit overnight. To speed up the deodorizing process, simmer a saucepan of vinegar on the stove for an hour or two.
One of the best ways to eliminate the odor is with baking soda. Liberally sprinkle baking soda over the carpet and let it sit for several hours, preferably overnight. Vacuum thoroughly using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA-filter.
Cut a few lemons into several slices. Fill a pot with water and add the lemon slices. Allow the water and lemon slices to boil. Alternatively, fill the bottom of a pan with water, place cloves or cinnamon sticks in the pan and simmer to remove the burnt odor from the air and fill your home with a pleasant scent.
A gallon bottle of white vinegar only costs a few bucks and helps neutralizes cigarette smell. Vinegar can also be used to remove sticky smoke residue which can be left behind by smokers. To use, fill a spray bottle with vinegar, and spray away on every surface. Then wipe everything down with lint-free towels.
When used as directed, Zep Smoke Odor Eliminator also counteracts lingering food odors. Shake can well and spray towards the center of the room. The long-lasting crisp mountain fresh scent permeates the entire room eliminating fried food, smoke odors, garbage odor and more!
Baking soda and activated charcoal: Sprinkling either baking soda or activated charcoal powder (sold at pet stores) can remove cigarette odors just as it can mildew smells. If you are trying to reduce the cigarette stench in a room, you can either put the powders in open bowls, or sprinkle on a surface.
Baking soda and vinegar can be used to neutralize many different unwanted scents. For example: Use a spray bottle with warmed vinegar and water to clean stains from your wall that may be causing lingering odors.
A bowl of vinegar will rid much of the mustiness that may be offending your olfactory sense. Just let it sit for 10 to 15 hours to do its magic. The vinegar will absorb pretty much any odor—from cigarette smoke to pet odors.
Many folks say you need to wait two weeks, but I don't think that's the case. I've found that just waiting a few days will allow the vinegar to take on its new smell. Quick note: citrus fruits have oils which help in the cleaning process, specifically with degreasing.
Question: What can I boil to make my house smell good? Answer: You can boil just about any foods that have a pleasant aroma to make your house smell good. Apples, berries, orange peels, lemon peels, lime peels, vanilla, cloves, cinnamon sticks, mint leaves and more. A simmer pot is a great way to do this.
Dehumidifiers with built-in air filters can be used to get rid of the odor and appearance of lingering cigarette smoke. Many dehumidifier units have an air purification system as an added feature. The fan is often backed by a high-efficiency particle air, or HEPA, filter.
While many people know that an air purifier can help with allergens such as mold and pollens, the good news is that using an air purifier can help to remove smoke from the air as well. Not only can an air purifier help to remove smoke odors, but it can capture many of the harmful chemical components as well.
Spray smokey smelling rooms with Febreze Air for a quick burst of freshness and to eliminate lingering odors. Set out bowls of activated charcoal throughout your house, which will absorb the smoky odor.
Use a spray bottle and a rag to wipe down all hard surfaces with a 50 / 50 solution of white vinegar and hot water. You may also wash the walls and ceiling with a mixture of 1/2 cup ammonia, 1/4 cup vinegar, 1/2 cup baking soda and a gallon of hot water.
OdoBan® eliminates smoke odors at the source and is the best smoke odor eliminator.
Add baking soda to a small, microwave-safe bowl, then add water to create the mixture. Microwave the mixture for 5 minutes, then remove the bowl and wipe down the inside of the microwave with a clean rag or paper towel.