5 DIY Methods for Eliminating Smoke Odors Before You Call the Pros

6/8/2020 (Permalink)

The smell of smoke can last long after the fire is gone.

After a fire in your home or business, your problems don’t go away just because the flames do. The odor of smoke will likely remain long after you pick up the pieces, repair the damage and replace your belongings. What’s worse, you might find that no matter how much you clean, you can’t get the smell of smoke to go away.

As restoration professionals, we have the resources and experience to get rid of smoke odors for good. That said, we understand that some people don’t want to call in the pros until they’ve tried everything they can to get rid of their smoke smell for good.

So if you’re a DIYer, we’re still here to help! Here are some home remedies for smoke odors that some people have had success with in the past.

Vinegar

On top of having a potent smell of its own, white vinegar naturally cuts through odors of all types, including light smoke odors. Wipe down whatever smells with white vinegar and leave a few bowls of vinegar around the room as well for a few days, then see what happens. If you really hate the smell of vinegar, add a little bit of lavender oil to the bowls – it won’t totally eliminate the smell of vinegar, but it will help.

Baking Soda

If you’ve ever popped a box of baking soda into your refrigerator, then you know that it’s a go-to odor absorber for a reason. If vinegar didn’t work, try sprinkling baking soda on your smelly items and surfaces, as well as leaving bowls of baking soda out to trap any free-floating odors.

Cyclodextrin

What in the world is cyclodextrin? One of the core compounds in odor-fighting products like Febreeze. Cyclodextrin molecules are shaped like donuts, and they “trap” odor molecules in their centers. Febreeze alone probably won’t eliminate your smoke odor, but it might help.

Activated Charcoal

Some people swear by activated charcoal for all sorts of purposes, especially for its detoxifying properties. Again, it probably won’t get rid of smoke odors all on its own, but putting a few bowls of powdered activated charcoal around the room won’t hurt.

Air Circulation

If all else fails, and the temperature is high enough, open every window and door that you can and hope that circulating fresh air will be enough to minimize the smell of smoke.

If you’ve tried all of the above and still haven’t been able to dissipate your smoke odors, you may need a professional. This is especially true if you’re dealing with things like carpets, drapes and upholstery, which can hold the smell of smoke for a very long time. If you’re ready to kick off the fire restoration process, call SERVPRO of The Southtowns at 716-646-6684 today.