Eliminating the Smell of Tobacco in My Own House

The lingering smell of cigarettes and other tobacco products is an offensive odor you don’t want your visitors to perceive. As a current smoker it is difficult to notice the smells associated with smoking in the home. In addition, it is harmful to health, sticks to clothes and hair, and is often transferable to other surfaces. Third-hand smoke is an issue that is associated with tobacco odor, but it is more about the dust like particles with active chemical substances produced by second-hand smoke. These tiny particles settle on people and surfaces which are then released back into the air when disturbed. Research is still being carried out regarding specific serious illness it can create, but they are believed to be similar to those caused by second-hand smoke. Smoking cessation or smoking outside of the home is beginning, but what about the odor and contamination already in the home? Here are a few tips at removing some of the offensive odors in the home without professional help, followed by a discussion about whether third-hand smoke can be addressed without professional help.

Tips to Help Eliminate the Smell of Tobacco

Start with Hard Surfaces

Open windows and doors to increase ventilation
Vacuum all surfaces in the home
Wipe down surfaces with a multi-surface cleaner and hot water
Use products containing baking soda or trisodium phosphate to clean the walls and ceiling
Clean the doors, walls, lighting system, fans, blades, and other equipment in the house
Throw away easily replaceable items like lampshades, pillows, etc.
Clean higher, harder-to-reach areas where smoke may accumulate

Wash Fabrics

Start with fabric you can wash in the washing machine
Add baking soda and soak for a few days
Use a steam cleaner on the carpet
Also use a steam cleaner on upholstered furniture
Wash couch cushion covers, curtains, and drapes
Add a half cup of vinegar to the wash water
Repeat the process
Air-dry the item

Air Circulation & Purification

Leave doors and windows open for extended periods
Use fans for air circulation
Use charcoal or white vinegar/cider vinegar
Avoid using odor-masking products like air fresheners
Purchase & use AC unit odor removal filter

Ozone Generator

After sufficient cleaning, consider the use of an ozone generator
Ozone generation is extremely hazardous, if it is needed in the home, have this process carried out by an IICRC-certified expert
The machine oxidizes odors by transforming oxygen to ozone particles to permanently remove offensive environmental odors
Ozone generation must be carried out in an unoccupied space, humans and pets may not remain on premises during treatment, and until the property is properly ventilated after use
If pets or people must remain in the home, consider thermal fogging or hydroxyl generation carried out by odor removal specialists

Fresh Coat of Paint

Check rooms for tobacco discoloration
Repaint only if there is a slight tobacco odor remaining; do not paint over strong odors, this will increase professional odor removal costs and is not effective
Look for a primer capable of sealing the surface, such as BIN® primer or Fiberlock Recon Ultra. Less expensive primers and painting without priming is usually unsuccessful.

Call the Experts

Call the professionals for more serious odor problems
They are trained and equipped to apply the principles of odor remediation
Get an IICRC odor removal-certified professional
“Advanced equipment” is more effective  advanced equipment

Eliminating Third-Hand Smoke Contamination Requires Professional Assistance

Some of the many ways you can remove tobacco odor from your home are listed above, but what about third-hand smoke contamination and the associated health risks? Removing these tiny, harmful particles is almost impossible with regular cleaning methods and equipment. Airing out the home does not help, the harmful compounds are not easily wiped away, and regular vacuums will simply suck up some of these particles and exhaust them right back into the air inside the home. Complete professional odor removal and remediation is the most effective approach at removing these harmful pollutants because parts of the professional odor removal process are designed to remove these tiny complex particles. While methods like thermal fogging and ozone generation will oxidize odors, other methods like HEPA vacuuming and air scrubbing with charcoal or carbon filters are designed to remove particulates. HEPA vacuums trap particles that are vacuumed up and filter the air they exhaust back into the environment. Air scrubbing with charcoal filters not only makes use of the HEPA filters the air scrubber passes air through, but charcoal filters may also be added. The charcoal present in these filters exponentially increases the surface area of the contaminants are filtered through, which creates a greater chance they will be trapped and improve indoor air quality in the home.

If you are concerned about third-hand smoke in the home, call Affinity Bio Solutions for professional and effective odor remediation services.

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