How to Get the Cigarette Smell Out of Upholstery

Cigarette smoke leaves behind an unpleasant odor.

Long after you put out the cigarette, its smell will remain in your home. Cigarette smoke attaches itself to various surfaces, including upholstery. Trapped in the fibers of the upholstery fabric, the cigarette odor will linger for weeks. Many commercial odor removers are available, but they are quite expensive and simply mask the cigarette smell. Instead, use common and inexpensive items that eliminate the cigarette odor from upholstery.

Things You'll Need

• White vinegar
• Spray bottle
• Baking soda
• Soft-bristled scrub brush
• Vacuum
• Upholstery attachment

Instructions

White Vinegar

1. Pour undiluted white vinegar into a spray bottle. Vinegar is natural, nontoxic, and safe to use around children and pets.

2. Mist the upholstery liberally with white vinegar. Start at the top of the furniture, and spray the vinegar on the fabric.

3. Let the white vinegar dry on the upholstery. As it dries, it will eliminate the cigarette odor. Repeat the process until the smell is no longer present.

Baking Soda

1. Sprinkle baking soda on the upholstery. Start at the top and begin scrubbing the baking soda into the fabric with a soft-bristled scrub brush.

2. Leave the baking soda on the upholstered furniture for several hours, or preferably overnight.

3. Secure a brush attachment to a vacuum hose. Remove the baking soda from the upholstery with the brush. Reapply the baking soda if cigarette odors remain.

References

• Good Housekeeping; How to Remove Cigarette Smoke Odor; Heloise
• Reader's Digest: Remove Cigarette or Cigar Smoke Smells