How to Eliminate Smoke Odor

Smoke odor can be one of the most stubborn smells you'll encounter in life. Thankfully, if smoke has permeated your belongings, car, or home, there are several tricks and methods you can try to get rid of the smell. Here’s what you need to know.

Removing Smoke Odor from Books and Paper Products

Step 1. Air Out the Book.

Air out the book. Gently hang the open book on a railing or rope outside for a few hours or even a day. The smell should diminish.

• Hang the book in the shade, as sunlight can bleach the pages.

Step 2. Enclose the Book with Dried Herbs.

Enclose the book in a bag with dried herbs. Place the smoke-scented book in a bag with freshly dried herbs that will replace the smoke smell with their own scent.

• You may need to replace the herbs with fresh ones every day and do this for several days.
• When finished, dispose of the herbs.

Step 3. Place Dryer Sheets Between the Pages.

Place dryer sheets between the pages. Insert 4-5 sheets at even intervals and place the book in a plastic bag. Keep it for a few days.

• Both scented and unscented sheets should effectively absorb the odor.

Step 4. Use Cedar Chips or Charcoal.

Use cedar chips or charcoal. Place the book or other paper products in a resealable plastic bag or container and add a handful of cedar chips or about 1 liter of charcoal. This should neutralize and mask the smoke odor within a few days.

• Cedar chips can be purchased at pet and hardware stores.
• Both products may leave their own strong scent, but they can help eliminate the smoke odor.

Step 5. Try Baking Soda.

Try baking soda. Place the book in a plastic bag or container and sprinkle baking soda inside. After two or three days, vacuum out the baking soda.

• Baking soda is one of the best odor removers, as it has no scent of its own that could mask the smoke smell.

Removing Smoke Odor from Clothes

Step 1. Use Baking Soda and Dryer Sheets.

Use baking soda and dryer sheets. Place the smoke-scented clothes in a plastic bag. Add two dryer sheets and sprinkle 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of baking soda for every 3-5 clothing items.

• Seal the bag and shake it well to mix the dryer sheets and baking soda with the clothes.
• Let it sit overnight. After removing the clothes from the bag, shake out any remaining baking soda.
• Wash the clothes in the washing machine as usual.
• This method removes most of the smoke odor before the clothes even enter the washing machine, so very little smoke smell makes it in.

Step 2. You Can Also Soak Clothes in Vinegar, Baking Soda, and Water.

You can also soak clothes in vinegar, baking soda, and water. Place the clothes in the washing machine and add enough water to cover them. Add 1 cup (250 ml) of baking soda and 1 cup (250 ml) of white vinegar to the water.

• Soak the clothes in this solution for at least an hour.
• Add a normal amount of laundry detergent to the water and wash on a regular cycle.
• This method also helps to neutralize smoke odor in the washing machine with the baking soda and vinegar.

Step 3. Use a Washing Machine Cleaner if Necessary.

Use a washing machine cleaner if necessary. If your washing machine still has a smoke odor after washing the smoke-scented clothes, you'll need to purchase a cleaner for it.

• Add the recommended amount of cleaner as indicated on the label.
• Run the hottest cycle in the machine, but do not put any clothes in it.

Step 4. For a Quick Fix, Spray Odor Eliminator on the Fabric.

For a quick fix, spray odor eliminator on the fabric. If you need to get rid of the smoke smell urgently and cannot wash the clothes, spray a specialized odor eliminator on the fabric.

• Choose a product that neutralizes, rather than masks, odors.

Removing Smoke Odor from Cars

Step 1. Roll Down the Windows.

Roll down the windows. The most important thing you need to do is simply let the air out of the car. Roll down all the windows and leave them open for several hours or days.

• If possible, also open the car doors wide. This will increase the airflow going through the car.
• Consider using a battery-operated fan in the car to help move the air more quickly. Try to ventilate the car on a windy day.
• Do not start the car or turn on the fan while the car is stationary, especially in an enclosed space like a garage, as this can lead to dangerous carbon monoxide buildup.

Step 2. Clean the Car.

Clean the car. Use a cleaning solution to wash the upholstery and floors. Thoroughly clean the interior of the car.

• You may need to remove the floor mats and wash them separately. If you cannot remove the smoke odor from the mats, consider replacing them.

Step 3. Use Specialized Products.

Use specialized products. Some auto parts stores sell chemical solutions designed to eliminate heavy, strong odors like smoke.

• Follow the instructions on the label carefully when using the product.
• Allow the car to air out for a few days after using the product, as there may be a chemical smell immediately after application.
• Vacuum out any residue left in the car.

Step 4. Try Vinegar, Charcoal, Coffee Grounds, or Baking Soda.

Try vinegar, charcoal, coffee grounds, or baking soda. Most of these remedies do not eliminate the odor but mask it, yet many people use these methods.

• Place a bowl of vinegar, a container of freshly ground coffee, or an open bag of charcoal in the car overnight or for a few days.
• Sprinkle baking soda on all surfaces of the car's interior and leave it overnight. Vacuum it up in the morning.

Removing Smoke Odor from Homes

Step 1. Open the Windows.

Open the windows. Open all windows to air out the smoke smell from the house as quickly as possible and let fresh air in.

• This is best done on a windy day. If there is no wind, you can turn on ceiling and other fans to help circulate the air.

Step 2. Take Furniture Outside.

Take furniture outside. Move any furniture you can outside for one or two days in the sun.

• Fresh air helps reduce smoke odor.
• The sun's UV rays also help neutralize the smoke smell.

Step 3. Turn on Air Purifiers in Every Room.

Turn on air purifiers in every room. Air purifiers filter or neutralize odors entirely. You can use several types:

• Electronic air purifiers create an electric field that ionizes odor particles, collecting them on a collection plate.
• Ionizers also create an electric field that ionizes odor particles, but these devices make the particles fall to the ground for later cleaning by vacuum or broom.
• Mechanical high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters collect pollutants on a carbon filter. These filters are then cleaned or replaced, permanently removing the smoke smell.

Step 4. Do a Thorough Cleaning.

Do a thorough cleaning. Cleaning the air and furniture of smoke odor is not enough to completely eliminate the smell from the house. Other surfaces need cleaning to fully eradicate the odor.

• Wipe down walls and ceilings. Purchase a cleaner with glycol or ammonia. Make sure to ventilate the room well while cleaning the walls and ceilings and keep children and pets away.
• Wash the floors. Hard floors can be cleaned with regular floor cleaner, but carpets may need deep cleaning. Often, a professional carpet cleaning service is needed.
• Wash curtains and blinds. Soak blinds in a bathtub of water. Add 2 cups (500 ml) or more of white vinegar for a more thorough clean. Put curtains in the washing machine or take them to dry cleaning if the fabric is too delicate for home washing.
• Wipe down windows and mirrors. Spray white vinegar on each surface and wipe with a clean, soft cloth.
• Replace light bulbs. Smoke particles can accumulate on both the outside and inside of bulbs. When you turn on the light, the smell re-enters the air.

Step 5. Place Vinegar Around the House.

Place vinegar around the house. Pour white distilled vinegar into small, shallow bowls and place one in each room affected by smoke. Let the liquid evaporate.

• This method works best after you close all doors and windows in the house. Reduce airflow for maximum effectiveness of the vinegar.
• You can also soak a cloth in vinegar and wipe down the walls.

Step 6. Use Baking Soda.

Use baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda on furniture, carpets, and other fabric or upholstered items. Let it sit overnight and vacuum it up the next day.

• You can also place bowls or open boxes of baking soda in each room instead of vinegar.

Step 7. Try Activated Charcoal.

Try activated charcoal. A bowl of activated charcoal in a smoke-affected room will quickly remove the odor.

• Note that charcoal is also an active component in many HEPA air filters.