It’s always important to consider the condition of a home before you purchase it. Many homeowners have lived in a particular residence for years, so there are bound to be some signs of wear and tear. But if you discover that previous tenants smoked inside the home, smoke restoration activities may be in store for you. If you’re buying a house but don’t want to deal with lingering tobacco smoke smells, here’s what you’ll need to know:

Start with Cleaning Hard Surfaces

The first step in removing cigarette smells from your home is to clean all hard surfaces with a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and hot water. You’ll need to wash all walls and ceilings, including windows and doors. Clean other items like fans, doorknobs, light fixtures, and baseboards as well. When you’ve fully cleaned all hard surfaces exposed to smoke, you can use a wet or dry vacuum cleaner to suck up remaining dust and particles.

Wash Fabrics and Furniture

Fabrics tend to absorb odors very easily, so you’ll want to wash any fabrics exposed to cigarette smoke. This includes all clothing, pillows, and upholstered furniture. Throw smaller items in the wash with one cup of vinegar to get rid of the smell; and throw away items that keep the smell. For larger items like couches, sprinkle baking soda where cigarette smoke was present and let it sit for several days before vacuuming or steaming.

Increase Air Circulation

One of the easiest ways to reduce cigarette smoke smells from your home is to increase airflow. By opening windows and doors, you allow fresh air to circulate through the house. Using fans can also help increase circulation for faster results. Taking additional measures such as using a HEPA filter is another good way to remove cigarette smoke smells from your home. HEPA filters are specially designed to trap particles like pollen, dust, and smoke that could cause allergies and other health risks.

Use an Ozone Generator

As a last resort, you can always use an ozone generator to eliminate odors like cigarette smoke. Simply install the generator near your furnace or air conditioner vent outside of the home and run it for several hours. As an ozone generator is effective at eliminating lingering smoke smells, it should be used in conjunction with other methods like steaming carpets and upholstery described above.

Call the Experts

If you find yourself in a situation where you must deal with an odor that is too much to handle on your own, call the experts! Restoration professionals can get rid of smells from cigarette smoke and any other odors you are experiencing in your home.

Hammer Restoration uses specially designed products to remove odors from smoking. Our team is fully qualified to lead all restoration efforts – whether it be from fire, water, mold, or smoke damage – so you can enjoy your home without worry or pesky odors. Call us today to see how we can help you and your home.