Having cigarette smell lingering around your home is never pleasant. If this is the situation in your home right now, especially in carpets, then it’s best to act right away in removing the smokey odor.
Learn how to dispel this unpleasant odor and get your carpets back to smelling fresh once again.
Why Cigarette Smoke Is Difficult to Remove
Cigarette smoke is made up of fine particles that cling to surfaces and penetrate deeply into materials. These particles bring chemicals that interact with carpet fibers, causing lingering odors and discoloration. Over time, smoke odors can become less noticeable to smokers but remain highly detectable to nonsmokers or those who have quit.
Restoring carpets often means addressing odors and stains as separate issues. Tackling both effectively requires the right methods and tools. Source: Carpet Land
Why is Cigarette Smoke Removal So Important?
Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, some of which are associated with cancer. Inhaling the smell can cause health effects, particularly for those who are pregnant, young, or elderly. In addition, cigarette smoke leaves behind a residue that can damage furniture, walls, flooring, and discolor fabrics and other materials.
If you’re getting ready to sell your home or simply preparing for guests, cigarette smells leave a very poor impression. It’s worth calling SERVPRO to ensure the smell of cigarette smoke is expertly remediated. Source: Servepro
Getting Smoke Odor Out of Your Carpet
White vinegar and water
Another household item that’s helpful for getting smoke out of carpet is white vinegar. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water, then spray it onto your carpet. The white vinegar will neutralise the smell. Be careful not to saturate your carpet, as this can lead to a discoloured, vinegar-scented carpet. If you use the right amount, the smell should dissipate on its own.
Activated charcoal
Do not put this directly onto your carpet, as it will stain it. Activated charcoal naturally absorbs pollutants, so just having it in the room is helpful. Place a few bowls full of natural activated charcoal on the floor, then leave it to absorb for a few days. You can also do the same thing with white vinegar, but that has its own scent, which is less pleasant to live with. Alternatively, you could use an apple or an onion. Whichever you choose, make sure that it is out of reach of children and pets.
Hire a professional carpet cleaner
If you’re struggling to remove the smell of cigarette smoke from your carpet, a professional carpet cleaner can help. The National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) has a directory of accredited carpet cleaners, which you can use to find cleaners in your area. Every cleaner in the directory is trained, insured and follows our code of conduct. Source: NCAA
We hope that this DIY process will help you in getting rid of that cigarette smell in your carpets and bring your home back to smelling fresh again. But if for some reason it remains the same no matter which method you’ve used, then get in touch with us and we’ll try to handle it for you. Just give us a call!