Smoke home inspection A home that smells of smoke can be problematic for some home buyers. Not only does the smell of smoke linger, but smoke accumulation over time will stain the walls and ceilings. Cigarette smoke in particular has a distinct odor and stains walls, floors, and ceilings because it creates tiny amounts of oil and tar that cling to surfaces.

Thirdhand smoke, or pollutants for smoke that stick to surfaces, can pose a health hazard. Touching smoke contaminated areas and inadvertently consuming biproducts of smoke can be dangerous. This is especially true for infants and people with compromised immune systems. Luckily these are issues that can be fixed and don’t necessarily require a professional to do the job.

Whether you have bought a home that smells of smoke, are trying to freshen up an existing home, or clean up after a renter, the following steps will help diminish smoke smell and staining.

The first thing that you want to do is to create as much air flow through the home as you can. Open all of the windows to create a cross breeze. Using fans and filters will also help to push air out and trap air particles. Vinegar can also be used to reduce the smell of smoke. You can place bowls or vinegar around the home, and it will naturally help to mitigate the odor. Boiling citrus peels is another natural method of freshening the air. Store bought air fresheners can be used but may only temporality mask the odor.

Walls and ceilings will hold the odor in and prolonged smoking in a home will cause yellow, orange, or brown staining. Vinegar again may be the answer to the issue. Mixing one part vinegar with one part water and thoroughly scrubbing the walls and ceilings will help to remove stains and odors. You can also try using a combination of two tablespoons of ammonia with two cups of water. It should be noted that some ceiling surfaces, such as popcorn ceiling, may contain asbestos and should not be disturbed by a homeowner.

Smoke smell home inspection If a deep cleaning did not completely remove the stains and odors, you may want to consider painting the walls and ceilings. This should be done after a thorough cleaning has been performed. Wait until the walls are totally dry and apply a primer. Special primers such as the brand KILZ are made to block smoke smells and stains. After the primer has been applied you can add your colored paint.

Carpets can hold odors to an even greater extent as the smell will cling to the carpet fibers. Sprinkling baking soda over all areas of carpet and letting it sit for a few hours or days will help. Baking soda is a deodorizer and absorbs the smell instead of temporarily masking it. After letting the baking soda sit you can simply vacuum it up.

Other flooring materials require different methods of cleaning as you want to make sure you are using a product that will not damage the floor. For wood floors you can simply use soap and water. For laminate flooring vinegar and water is a good option. Vinegar should be avoided for tile and grout floors and the vinegar may damage the grout. An ammonia and water mixture is a better option.

It is best to try and clean all the surfaces in a home when attempting to fully remove smoke odors. This includes cabinets, shelves, windows, doors, and appliances. Curtains and other removable fabrics can be washed, however replacing these components may be relatively inexpensive. If a DIY attempt to remove odors and stains proves to be too difficult or not completely effective it may be time to hire a professional cleaning company to do the job.

Smoke smells and stains in a home can be the result of cigarettes, wildfires, cooking accidents, and more. The odors and stains are not only unappealing to homeowners and can deter buyers but present a potential health hazard for a home’s occupants. To create a comfortable and safe environment for your family we recommend taking active steps towards remediating smoke contaminated surfaces in your home.