Smoke Odor

Smoke is a stubborn odor that lingers for what feels like decades. Whether your home has experienced a fire by a natural disaster, an accident or smells of cigarette smoke, that particular odor can present a challenge to even experienced restoration professionals.  The severity of the smell depends on these factors:

Length of exposure:  Porous materials will soak up the odor quickly and easily, but the longer they are exposed to smoke, the more deeply embedded that smell will be.

Size & layout of the room:  If the fire was contained in a small room, the odor will most likely be more concentrated and therefore more intense.  If the fire was in a large room, or one with more of an open concept design, the smell will be more spread out.

Materials burned:  Different materials burn in different ways, leaving different odors behind.  For example, burnt plastic smells differently than burning wood.  The type of materials that were burned inside the room/building could make a difference in the type of products used to remove the smoke odor.  Cigarette smoke will have a different smell and effect on the surroundings as well.

Size of the fire:  The larger the fire, the heavier the smoke!

Expel The Smell

If you’ve got lingering smoke in your home, you know it’s not a pleasant odor!  I’ve created a thorough ‘rid-your-house-of-this-god-awful-smell’ checklist.

• Walls & Ceilings
  • Remove the smoke properly.  The smoke needs to be rubbed off of walls and ceilings BEFORE being washed off.  If you get the surface wet before removing the smoke, the drywall will soak in the odor while drying.  There is a special rubber sponge designed just for this.  Apply gentle pressure and rub off the smoke in a single direction.
  • Wash.  Vinegar can be an effective tool for just about any cleaning, including this!  A 3-1 ratio of vinegar and water will work.  If you can’t stand that horrid smell, like me, add in just a couple drops of your favorite essential oil.
• Vacuum
  • Use baking soda as a deodorizer on your carpet and furniture.  Let it dwell overnight before vacuuming.  Make sure to vacuum ALL floors thoroughly!
• Floor & Upholstery Cleaning
  • Hot water extraction is the most effective method to remove smoke odor from carpets.  Call a trusted cleaning professional in the area and make sure they have experience with smoke odor removal before hiring the,
• HVAC
  • Smoke will penetrate every inch of your HVAC, so run your system thoroughly to clear it out.
• Fabrics
  • All fabrics should be properly cleaned.  Read the directions on any comforters or drapes that need washing.  You may be able to machine wash them, but others may need specialized treatment.
• Lightbulbs
  • Dust can fuse to the lightbulbs during the fire, so replace them all!

As always, feel free to call or email me with specific questions.  Artistic Cleaners is always here to help keep your home clean & happy!