How to Get Smoke Smell Out of a House: 7 Proven Methods

3 hours ago

6 min read

Smoke smell can stay in a house long after the cigarettes, cigars, or marijuana are gone. It settles into carpets, curtains, furniture, walls, clothing, and even air vents. The good news is that you can remove it—if you treat the source, clean the surfaces, and use a true smoke odor eliminator instead of simply spraying perfume.

In this guide, you will learn how to get smoke smell out of a house using seven proven methods. These steps work for cigarette smoke, cigar smoke, marijuana smoke, and general tobacco odor.

Quick answer: To get smoke smell out of a house, ventilate the space, wash fabrics, clean hard surfaces, deep-clean carpets and upholstery, clean air vents, use an odor absorber, and treat lingering odors with a permanent odor eliminator such as ERASE Odor Eliminator.

Why Smoke Smell Stays in a House

Cigarette, cigar, and marijuana smoke create tiny particles and gases that travel through the air. These particles stick to soft surfaces like carpets, sofas, curtains, mattresses, and clothing. They also settle on walls, ceilings, cabinets, and inside HVAC systems.

That is why lighting a candle or using an air freshener often does not solve the problem. It may cover the smell for a short time, but the smoke particles remain in the home.

A proper smoke odor removal plan should:

Remove smoke particles from fabrics and surfaces
Clean the air and ventilation system
Neutralize odor at the source
Prevent the smell from returning

For stubborn smoke odor, a professional-strength product like ERASE Odor Eliminator is designed to eliminate odors rather than mask them.

1. Open Windows and Ventilate the House

Start by letting fresh air move through the home.

Open windows and doors on opposite sides of the house to create cross-ventilation. Turn on ceiling fans and exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms to push stale, smoky air outside.

If the smoke smell is mild, ventilation alone may reduce it. If the smell has been in the home for weeks or months, ventilation is only the first step.

Best for: Fresh smoke smell, light cigarette odor, marijuana smoke after guests leave.

2. Wash All Washable Fabrics

Smoke odor clings strongly to fabric. Wash everything that can go into a washing machine, including:

Curtains and drapes
Throw blankets
Pillow covers
Sofa covers
Bedding
Clothing
Towels
Rugs that are machine washable

Use hot water when the fabric label allows it. Add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to help neutralize odor. For clothes or delicate fabrics that still smell after washing, use a fabric-safe smoke odor remover.

If smoke odor remains in clothing, curtains, or upholstery, spray lightly with ERASE Odor Eliminator and allow it to air dry.

3. Clean Walls, Ceilings, and Hard Surfaces

Smoke leaves a sticky residue on walls, ceilings, doors, cabinets, and other hard surfaces. This residue can continue releasing odor into the room.

Clean these areas with warm water, mild dish soap, and a microfiber cloth. For nicotine stains or heavy tobacco residue, use a cleaner made for smoke damage or a mixture of warm water and vinegar.

Pay extra attention to:

Kitchen cabinets
Bathroom walls
Ceilings
Baseboards
Doors and door frames
Window sills
Light switches
Walls near where people smoked

After cleaning, allow the room to dry completely. If the smell remains, treat the area with a smoke odor eliminator designed for indoor use.

4. Deep Clean Carpets and Rugs

Carpets are one of the biggest reasons smoke smell stays in a house. Smoke particles settle deep into carpet fibers and padding.

Start by vacuuming slowly and thoroughly. Empty the vacuum outside so the odor does not spread back into the home.

Next, sprinkle baking soda over the carpet, let it sit for several hours or overnight, then vacuum again. Baking soda works as a simple odor absorber for light smells.

For stronger cigarette, cigar, or marijuana odor, use a carpet-safe smoke odor remover. Spray lightly over the carpet, let it sit according to the product directions, and allow the carpet to dry fully.

If the smell has been present for a long time, professional carpet cleaning may be needed. After cleaning, use ERASE Odor Eliminator to treat any odor left behind.

5. Clean Upholstery, Mattresses, and Furniture

Sofas, chairs, mattresses, and fabric furniture can trap smoke odor just like carpets.

For washable cushion covers, remove and wash them. For non-washable upholstery, vacuum first using an upholstery attachment. Then lightly mist the fabric with a smoke odor remover.

Do not soak furniture. Too much moisture can push odor deeper into the cushion and may cause mold or mildew.

For mattresses, vacuum both sides, sprinkle baking soda, let it sit for several hours, and vacuum again. If odor remains, lightly treat the surface with an odor eliminator made for fabrics.

6. Clean Air Vents, Filters, and HVAC System

Smoke travels through the air, so your HVAC system can spread the smell from room to room.

Take these steps:

Replace HVAC filters
Vacuum vent covers
Wipe vents with a damp cloth
Clean around return-air grilles
Run the fan to circulate fresh air
Consider professional duct cleaning for heavy smoke damage

If someone smoked indoors for a long time, smoke particles may be inside the ductwork. In that case, cleaning vents and replacing filters is essential.

After cleaning, run the HVAC system and use an odor eliminator to treat any remaining airborne smoke odor.

7. Use a Permanent Smoke Odor Eliminator

Air fresheners, candles, and essential oils can make a room smell better for a little while, but they do not remove the odor source. They only add fragrance on top of the smoke smell.

A true smoke odor eliminator works differently. It targets the odor molecules left behind by cigarette smoke, cigar smoke, and marijuana smoke.

ERASE Odor Eliminator by Burning Solutions is designed for tough odors in homes, cars, hotels, rental properties, and commercial spaces. It can be used on fabrics and indoor areas to help eliminate lingering smoke odor instead of simply covering it.

For best results:

Clean the room first
Wash or vacuum fabrics
Spray ERASE lightly over affected areas
Allow the space to dry
Repeat if the odor is strong or has been present for a long time

How Long Does It Take to Remove Smoke Smell?

The time depends on how long the smoking happened and how deeply the odor has settled.

Smoke Situation	Estimated Time to Improve
Light, recent smoke	A few hours to one day
Regular indoor smoking	Several days
Long-term cigarette or cigar smoke	One to two weeks
Heavy smoke damage	Professional cleaning plus odor treatment

If the home has absorbed years of smoke, cleaning alone may not be enough. A strong smoke odor eliminator like ERASE can help treat the odor that remains after cleaning.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using only candles or air fresheners: They hide the smell temporarily but do not remove smoke particles.
Skipping fabrics: Curtains, carpets, sofas, and bedding often hold the most odor.
Forgetting vents and filters: Smoke can continue circulating through the HVAC system.
Using too much water on upholstery: This can trap odor and create mildew problems.
Cleaning without treating the air: Surface cleaning and odor neutralizing should be done together.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to get smoke smell out of a house?

Open windows, run fans, wash fabrics, vacuum carpets, clean hard surfaces, and use a smoke odor eliminator. For faster results, treat carpets, upholstery, and curtains with ERASE Odor Eliminator.

Does baking soda remove cigarette smoke smell?

Baking soda can help absorb light smoke odor from carpets, mattresses, and upholstery. For stronger cigarette, cigar, or marijuana odor, use it along with a dedicated smoke odor remover.

How do you remove marijuana smell from a house?

Ventilate the room, wash fabrics, clean surfaces, vacuum carpets and furniture, replace HVAC filters, and use a marijuana odor eliminator. ERASE Odor Eliminator is designed to help eliminate lingering smoke odors.

Can smoke smell be permanently removed?

Yes, in many cases. Permanent removal requires cleaning the source, treating fabrics and surfaces, cleaning ventilation, and using an odor eliminator that neutralizes odor instead of masking it.

What removes cigarette smell from walls?

Wash walls with warm water, mild soap, or a vinegar solution. For heavy nicotine residue, use a smoke-residue cleaner. After cleaning, treat the room with a smoke odor eliminator.

Final Thoughts

Getting smoke smell out of a house takes more than opening a window or spraying air freshener. You need to clean fabrics, carpets, furniture, walls, and air vents—and then neutralize the odor that remains.

For cigarette smoke, cigar smoke, marijuana smoke, or general tobacco odor, ERASE Odor Eliminator by Burning Solutions is a practical solution for homes, apartments, hotels, and rental properties. Use it after cleaning to help eliminate lingering smoke odor and keep your home smelling fresh.