How to Get Smoke Smell Out of a House: 10 Methods to Try

Scented candles, the aroma of baked goods fresh out of the oven, the fresh smell of a clean home—we want our homes to smell their best, but lingering smoke smells aren’t something anyone wants to live with. The smell of smoke in your home is not only unpleasant but can lead to long-term health issues. Our guide explains how to get smoke smell out of a house using ten different methods. 

Why Does My Home Smell Like Smoke?

Smoke from a house fire, cooking mishaps, cigarette use, or nearby wildfires can permeate every corner of your home and cause a lingering, acrid smell that’s difficult to get rid of. The smell of smoke can remain in your home long after the smoke’s source is gone—particles and chemical compounds created by smoke can penetrate your furniture, walls, flooring, and other materials in your home, releasing a distinctive and unpleasant smell over time.

How Much Does It Cost to Remove Smoke Smell?

Smoke remediation costs average between $200 and $1,200 per room and can depend on the source and extent of the smoke and smoke damage. If materials need to be replaced or extensive restoration is called for, costs can skyrocket into tens of thousands of dollars after a house fire. 

Less extensive smoke smell removal will cost less than smoke damage restoration and may include professional wall cleaning costs, industrial air cleaning services, and more.

How to Remove Smoke Smell

The best way to remove smoke smell depends on the type of smoke damage, where the smell is found, and how deeply the smell has penetrated affected materials. Always start with less aggressive removal methods and escalate as needed if they aren’t working. Be sure not to mix any cleaning products, as this can cause dangerous gases to form—always fully rinse any residue and let surfaces dry before attempting another product. For extensive smoke damage, always call in a professional for safety’s sake.

Use Fans or Air Purifiers

Increasing ventilation and improving air quality is a critical part of removing smoke smell. Industrial fans and air purifiers with HEPA filters can help circulate air and clear out smoke particles. Even attaching air filters to the intake of a box fan can help improve air quality and remove smoke smells.  

Wash With Vinegar

To remove smoke smell from wood furniture, walls, ceilings, and other hard surfaces, wash surfaces with white vinegar. Cleaning with vinegar can neutralize odors while the friction used when scrubbing the surfaces can remove particulates that cause smoke smells.

Clean With Ammonia

Ammonia is another good option for removing smoke smells from hard surfaces. Ammonia is a stronger cleaning agent than vinegar, but use caution—it can cause respiratory issues and other health concerns for pets, children, the elderly, and anyone with compromised health. 

Absorb Odors With Baking Soda

When dealing with mild smoke smells, baking soda can absorb unpleasant odors. Set out bowls of baking soda in affected areas and change them out every few days until the smell is eliminated.

Use Activated Charcoal

You may know that activated charcoal water filters remove impurities from drinking water, but did you know activated charcoal can also remove smells from the air? Use this material similar to baking soda—place bowls of powdered activated charcoal in smoke smell-filled rooms to absorb odors.

Wash Machine-Washable Items

Smoke particles can settle into fabrics and cause a lingering smell that’s released over time. Wash any machine-washable items with warm water and detergent, ensuring the smell is gone before drying. For added smell-busting power, add white vinegar to your washer’s fabric softener dispenser—the vinegar smell will dissipate as the items dry.

Steam Clean Materials

For items that can’t go in the washer, like furniture, mattresses, rugs, carpets, and more, use a steam cleaner to extract smoke particles and the smells they cause. You can rent a steam cleaner or hire a professional to deep clean with steam. 

Change HVAC Filters

Smoke can infiltrate your HVAC system, redistributing smells throughout your home long after the fire is out. Changing your air filters and cleaning your air ducts after smoke exposure can speed up the smoke smell elimination process and ensure smoke particles aren’t being spread through your home. Not sure how to make sure your HVAC system is cleaned properly? An HVAC maintenance checklist will help you check off all the necessary steps.

Use an Ozone Generator

For stubborn smoke odors, consider an ozone generator, which can help reduce smells in the air. Ozone exposure can cause health risks, though, so follow all instructions carefully to minimize risk or call a professional. Ozone smoke removal costs average around $200 to $400.

Repaint and Replace

Removing smoke damage from walls and ceilings may take a little more work than just deep cleaning. In some cases, you may need to repaint or replace materials to remove smoke smells and damage. Using an odor-blocking primer before repainting can help keep smells from escaping, but seriously damaged materials like drywall may need to be replaced entirely. For severe smoke smells, consider refinishing your hardwood flooring to keep it from retaining smoke odors.

How to Prevent Smoke Smells

While house fires are unpredictable and wildfires are entirely out of your control, you can still take steps to minimize smoke smells in your home from these and other sources. Some prevention methods include:

• Using adequate ventilation while cooking

• Not smoking indoors

• Changing air filters regularly

• Cleaning cooking grease and oven spills before they begin smoking

• Closing windows and using air purifiers during smoky outdoor conditions

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Removing a small amount of lingering smoke smell can be a DIY project, but if the smell is deeply permeated into your home or accompanied by any fire damage, you’ll want to call in the pros. Knowing who to call for smoke damage can help ensure that the job is done right. A local smoke restoration pro will assess the damage, make any necessary repairs or material replacements, and use industrial equipment to improve air quality and remove odors.