Home Smell Like Smoke? 4 Ways to Combat and Remove It

Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.

Squeaky is all about the borderline genius hacks and ideas that keep literally every inch of your space pristine.

The scent of smoke can be a very strong, unpleasant smell, especially when it is absorbed into fabric. If the air or furniture and clothes in your home smell like smoke, try one (or more) of these four ways to combat and remove it.

Advertisement

How to Remove Smoke Smell from Furniture

Video of the Day

Image Credit: Hunker in partnership with Acme Real Estate

WARNING: Do not use the method on leather furniture. It could damage the leather.

Advertisement

Video of the Day

Step 1: Make a fabric neutralizing spray.

This odor neutralizing spray works great for larger fabric covered pieces that cannot be washed in a washing machine or sink.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 cups of witch hazel

  • 20 drops of lemon essential oil

  • Clean spray bottle

Add the witch hazel and lemon essential oil to a clean spray bottle and shake well before each use.

Step 2: Spray fabric furniture pieces liberally with the odor neutralizer.

The lemon and witch hazel will help to neutralize any scents that the fabric has absorbed.

Advertisement

Step 3: Allow the furniture to dry before using.

How to Remove Smoke Smell from Curtains and Throw Rugs

Image Credit: Hunker in Partnership With Acme Real Estate

Things You'll Need

  • 1 to 2 cups of baking soda

  • Large plastic bag (Ziplock or trash bag)

Step 1: Pour one to two cups of baking soda into a large plastic bag.

For items like curtains, use one cup of baking soda and a large Ziplock bag or trash bag (depending on the size and bulk of your curtains.) For items like throw rugs or area rugs, use two cups of baking soda and a larger trash bag. Add the item(s) you want to clean to the bag. Keep it to item per bag.

Advertisement

Step 2: Let it sit overnight.

Allowing the curtains or rugs to sit overnight will give the baking soda ample time to absorb the smoke smell.

Step 3: Remove the bag and shake it out.

This step is best done outdoors where you can shake the baking soda off of the curtains or rugs.

Step 4: Wash according to care labels.

Two Ways to Remove Smoke Smell from Clothes

Image Credit: Stephen Paul for Hunker

There are two easy ways to remove smoke smell from clothes …

Advertisement

Advertisement

How to Remove Smoke Smell from Clothes Using Baking Soda

Image Credit: Ana Stanciu for Hunker

Baking soda is an amazing odor absorber and neutralizer.

Advertisement

Step 1: Fill your sink with warm water.

Step 2: Add one cup of baking soda and mix well.

Step 3: Add clothes to the baking soda/water mixture.

Keep whites and colors separate. Make sure that there is enough water to cover the clothes and that the clothes are fully saturated.

Step 4: Allow the clothes to soak for one to two hours.

Step 5: Remove from water and wring out.

Step 6: Wash the clothes according to their care labels.

TIP: If you have a large batch of clothes that need to be treated for smoke smell, you can triple this recipe and soak them in a bath tub instead.

Advertisement

How to Remove Smoke Smell From Clothes Using Vinegar

Image Credit: Ana Stanciu for Hunker

This method is similar to the method above, but uses vinegar instead of baking soda. Vinegar is a great odor neutralizer.

Step 1: Fill your sink with warm water.

Step 2: Add one cup of vinegar and mix well.

Step 3: Add clothes to the vinegar/water mixture.

Step 4: Allow the clothes to soak for one to two hours.

Step 5: Remove the clothes and wring out.

Step 6: Wash the clothes according to their care labels.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Report an Issue

screenshot of the current page

Screenshot loading...