How To Get Smoke Smell Out Of Your House
Smoke can be hard to deal with. After all, its pungent smell remains indoors long after the fire or the cause of the smoke is gone. Fire restoration companies that offer fire and smoke damage restoration often also offer smoke odor removal services, however, you may want to take things into your own hands. Here’s what you can to get rid of te smoke smell in your home or office:
Improve Ventilation
Ventilation allows smoke odor to go out and fresh smell to get in. Start by opening all the doors and windows and allowing sunshine to get in. This will not only remove smoke odor but also kill bacteria and germs. Plus, turn on all fans including exhaust fans. You should, however, keep the AC off till you get rid of smoke as the AC can worsen things.
Vacuum, Mop, and Sweep
Smoke odor removal includes sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming the floor. You may have to repeat the task over and over again to get rid of the smoke odor in your home or office. Make it a point to vacuum everything from furniture to curtains to the rugs. Also, clean your vacuum every now and then and consider sprinkling baking soda over the carpet. Leave it there for a few hours and vacuum the carpet again the next morning.
Use Ammonia
Ammonia is a cleaning agent that is known to aid smoke odor removal. Use it to clean hard surfaces including tiles and furniture but avoid using it on sealed surfaces. Furthermore, be careful and do not let ammonia come into contact with bleach as it could result in damage. Also, keep the house well ventilated when using ammonia. Moreover, you should consider wearing protective gear as ammonia could damage your eyes.
Clean Mirrors and Glass
Clean all mirrors and glasses in your home. Furthermore, you can buy a cleaning agent or create your own. A mix of warm water and white vinegar works well. Thus, take a glass of warm water and add about 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Use a soft cloth to clean mirrors and glasses and use paper to wipe these surfaces.
Install a Dehumidifier
There are several dehumidifiers on the market. Pick any and let it dry out your home. For this purpose, some dehumidifiers come with special agents and can prevent the growth of germs and bacteria. Moreover, consider using a product that is known to smell good so that you have no trouble settling in your property.
Install Air Purifiers
As the name suggests, air purifiers do a very important job – they purify the air – and help get rid of all kinds of smells including smoke odor. Some people get confused between air purifiers and humidifiers, they might do a similar job but they’re very different, however, air purifiers can be a little expensive. Those who want to save money can opt for a natural solution in the form of air purifier plants such as Devil’s Ivy or pothos (Epipremnum aureum),. Dwarf Date Palm (Phoenix Roebelenii), and Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum). Furthermore, you can use air fresheners with air filters.
Wash the Walls
Wash all your walls and ceilings as smoke could get attached to the surface and cause damage. Hence, you may have to wash multiple times for smoke odor to disappear. Again, consider using a mix of vinegar and warm water to do the job. Also, repainting can be a good option as washing walls and ceilings require too much effort.
Wash All Fabric
Smoke odor can stay in fabric for a very long time, he. The best way to get rid of it is to wash all fabric that got exposed to smoke including bedsheets and curtains. Use a detergent that’s safe and you will have nothing to worry about.
Clean Your Carpets
Carpet cleaning is difficult, time-consuming, and costly. While you can do it on your own, it might be a better idea to hire the services of a carpet cleaning company. Hence, ask them to use a steam cleaner on all your carpets as they can consume smoke and smell very strongly.
Hire a Professional
At the end of the day, there can be no better solution than to hire a smoke odor removal company to remove odors. Businesses that offer fire and damage restoration usually offer smoke odor removal as well. Professionals will first put out the fire and then remove the smell of smoke. Next, they’ll get rid of the smoke odor. Moreover, they may also identify mold and perform repairs to ensure your property is safe and protected.