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Short-term and long-term ways to remove odors
Thursday, November 20th marks the 32nd anniversary of The American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout. Smokers all across the nation are encouraged to use this day to reexamine their smoking habits. The idea is that if a person can quit or smoke less, even if it’s only for this one day, that one day can lead to many more. And with smoke-free laws gaining acceptance nationwide, there has never been a better time to quit.
If you or someone you live with is determined to kick the nicotine habit, one of the best things you can do – for both the smoker and those who live with him or her – is to remove the cigarette odor from the home. The solutions will depend on how pervasive the odor is and how serious the person is about quitting, says Nancy Bock, Vice President of Education at The Soap and Detergent Association.
Fast-track Techniques
Air: Open the windows. Do this as often as you can until the smell dissipates.
Wash: Launder washable fabric items, such as comforters, bed pillows, throw rugs, curtains and slipcovers.
Spray: Fabric items that can’t be washed should be treated with a fabric refresher spray. Depending on the extent of the odors, dry cleaning or a professional cleaning service may be necessary.
Wipe: Smooth surfaces, such as mirrors, floors and wood furniture, are repositories for smoke residue. Use a surface-appropriate cleaner to get rid of the residue. Don’t forget to clean light bulbs. They not only attract smoke deposits but every time they are turned on, the heat releases the smoke odor back into the air.
In It for the Long Haul
If the person was a heavy smoker and is successfully kicking the habit, more aggressive cleaning solutions may be necessary.
Scrub: Walls and other hard surfaces, such as countertops and floors, should be scrubbed with the appropriate cleaner. Read the product labels carefully to make sure you're using the right cleaner for each surface.
Paint: Once walls are cleaned, repainting may be necessary to completely remove the odor. Use a stain-blocking sealer/primer for the first coat, and then follow with one or more coats of the desired color.
Carpet: Carpets are a natural magnet for smoke odors. Shampooing or steam cleaning may solve the problem. However, the padding underneath may have absorbed the odor. Since carpet cleaning doesn’t clean the pad, the ultimate solution may be to replace the carpet and the padding.
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