Do you know how to rid your home of cigarette odors in Lake Havasu?

Cigarette smoking is now known as an unhealthy habit, and once you've smoked for a period of time in your home or office, the left over stale odors can linger for years.

Your indoor air quality can get stale pretty quickly from cigarette smoke odors. Over time that stale stinky air will contaminate your home and removing it demands patience, and the acidic smoke leaves resins and tars that permeate everything in the vicinity.

The severity of contamination will determine the process for eliminating smoke odor in your house. If someone smoked in the house for 10 years, then restoration may require a more invasive approach, such as throwing items out or even replacing the drywall and carpet. You should consider throwing out any items that are not considered sentimental if the room smells like an ashtray. Often times, it’s just better to replace items such as couches instead of trying to restore them if the smoke has permeated it for years.

Restoration 1 of Lake Havasu has a few tips to help you remove the cigarette odor from your house.

Hard Surface areas:

Always open the windows and doors to provide ventilation while you clean. Vinegar is a great neutralizer and cleaner, so begin by using a rag and spray bottle filled with a 50 / 50 solution of white vinegar and hot water. As an alternative, for stronger odors, you can try this mixture; 1/2 cup ammonia, 1/4 cup vinegar, 1/2 cup baking soda and a gallon of hot water.

Clean ALL surfaces and leave no surface untouched: Doors, walls, knobs, light fixtures (bulbs too), ceilings, fan blades, and everything the smoke

came in contact with. Don’t forget to clean such things as photo frames, knickknacks, decorations, appliances, lamps, etc. Easy to replace items such as throw pillows and lampshades may have to be thrown out. You may need a ladder or pole with a rag on it to reach high spots.

Fabrics and upholstery

Any fabric, upholstery and carpeting that can’t be thrown in the washing machine should be sprinkled with a generous amount of baking soda and left to sit for a few days. Over a few days, the baking soda will absorb the odor, then just vacuum it up. You may need to repeat this process if the odors were strong. Once you have a lot of the odor removed following this process, then the carpets should be steam cleaned. You can rent machines to do this and they come with upholstery attachments, to clean drapes or upholstered furniture too.

Couch-cushion covers, some drapes and curtains that are laundry safe can be washed in your washing machine. Start with a first wash using a cup of vinegar instead of detergent, and follow up with a wash using your preferred detergent. If possible, let these items dry outdoors to prevent shrinkage.

Air Circulation & Purification

If the weather is to your liking, keep as many windows and doors open for as long as It’s practical. Using fans will help with air circulation – use one to bring in fresh air and another to blow out stale air. Air purifiers with HEPA filters can also help remove odor-causing molecules. Once your home has been aired out, if there are remaining odors, they can possibly be removed by placing bowls of activated charcoal or white/apple cider vinegar around the rooms to absorb odors. The charcoal or vinegar should be replaced every few days. Avoid scented “odor removal” products, which may just mask the smell instead of removing it.

HVAC air filters also help remove odor-causing molecules, and they work best if they’re replaced every two to three months. Inspect your air ducts for any dust or debris that may contain smoke molecules that can contaminate the fresh air in your home as it travels down the ductwork. Hire a professional to clean your ducts if you find them dirty.

Ozone Generators

While ozone generators can rid your home of smoke odors, there are concerns that it may not be good for you or your pets, especially pet birds.

If you need your home or business to be smoke odor free, call Restoration 1 Lake Havasu to restore the freshness of your air quality.