You can also use baking soda, cat litter, or pieces of activated charcoal. [4] X Research source [5] X Research source All of these absorb smells. Keep in mind that you will need to replace them every few days.
You can also spray white vinegar onto furniture, and then wipe it off. This may not be effective on very strong smells.
In more drastic cases, you may have to repaint the walls and ceilings. The fresh paint will cover up the old paint, which has absorbed the smoke smell. Use a sealing primer first, behind the new paint. It will keep the bad smells in. [7] X Research source If you can’t repaint the walls, use a matte, polyurethane sealer instead. It will seal the smell in without changing the color of your walls. [8] X Research source If your walls have wallpaper on them, wipe them down with vinegar first. If the smell lingers, you’ll have to remove the old wallpaper, and install a new one.
If you do replace the carpets, make sure that you scrub the floor beneath them to get rid of all traces of the smoke odor. [9] X Research source Add a deodorizer to your carpet steamer to power through stubborn smells.
In some cases, you may need to replace the pillows and blankets. You may also need to reupholster your furniture. [10] X Research source If machine washing does not eliminate smells in your clothes, take them to a dry cleaner.
It might be a good idea to get the light bulbs in your room as well, since those heat up as well. You can also just replace the light bulbs with new ones.
Air purifiers also get rid of other allergens in the air, making them suitable for those with allergies and asthma.
Ozone generators may irritate the throat. They are not recommended for those with asthma. They can actually make things worse. [15] X Research source Turn on the fan in the air conditioner in the room, if possible. This helps to circulate the air as well as clean out the air conditioner. [16] X Research source The stronger the smell, the longer you will have to set the timer. For example, if the smoker used the room for a few days, you’ll need to run the generator for a few hours. If the smoker lived there for several years, you’ll need to run the generator for a few days. Ozone generators can only remove the smoke smell to some extent. If the smell has sunk into the walls, floors, curtains, and furniture, you may not get the smell out all the way.
