The Best Way to Get Rid of Smoke Smell from Upholstery

Smoke odor can linger in upholstery for weeks or even months, making your home smell unpleasant. Whether it’s cigarette smoke, fire damage, or burnt food, getting rid of that stubborn smell requires more than just airing out the room. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best methods for eliminating smoke odor from your furniture.

Why Does Smoke Smell Stay in Upholstery?

Upholstered furniture is made of porous materials like fabric, foam, and padding that absorb smoke particles. Over time, these particles settle deep into the fibers, making the smell difficult to remove with surface cleaning alone.

Step-by-Step Guide to Removing Smoke Odor from Upholstery

1. Start with a Thorough Vacuuming

Before applying any cleaning solution, vacuum your furniture using an upholstery attachment. Pay special attention to crevices, cushions, and armrests. A HEPA-filter vacuum is especially effective at capturing fine smoke particles.

2. Use Baking Soda to Absorb Odors

Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that helps neutralize stubborn smells.

• Sprinkle a generous amount over the surface of your upholstery.
• Let it sit for at least 12-24 hours (overnight is best).
• Vacuum it up thoroughly.
• Repeat if necessary for deeply embedded odors.

3. Steam Cleaning for Deep Odor Removal

While you don’t use steam cleaning, a professional extraction cleaning service (which you provide) is the best way to remove odors deeply embedded in fabric and padding. This process uses a specialized upholstery extractor that flushes out smoke residue and neutralizes odors at the source.

4. Vinegar and Water Solution

White vinegar is excellent for breaking down smoke odors.

• Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
• Lightly mist your upholstery without soaking it.
• Let it air dry completely.

Tip: If you don’t like the smell of vinegar, add a few drops of essential oil (like lavender or citrus) to the mixture.

5. Activated Charcoal for Smoke Absorption

Activated charcoal is known for its ability to absorb toxins and odors.

• Place a bowl of activated charcoal near your furniture.
• Leave it for a few days to help absorb lingering smoke odors.
• You can also use charcoal odor-absorbing bags placed under cushions.

6. Professional Extraction Cleaning

If home remedies don’t completely remove the smoke smell, a professional upholstery extraction cleaning service is the best solution. Using industry-grade cleaning solutions and equipment, professionals can remove deep-set smoke odors without damaging the fabric.

How to Prevent Smoke Odor from Returning

• Use air purifiers with activated carbon filters.
• Regularly vacuum and clean upholstery.
• Keep windows open for better air circulation.
• Avoid smoking indoors.

By following these steps, you can restore your furniture to a fresh, odor-free state. For a guaranteed deep clean, consider professional upholstery cleaning, which penetrates deep into the fibers to remove smoke residues effectively.