How to Get Smoke Smell Out of Couch

While cigarette smoking is a life-threatening habit itself, the smoke that lingers afterward is also as deadly. And there are two types of after-smoke residues: second-hand smoke and third-hand smoke. While the latter refers to inhaling other people’s smoke, the former is also an inconspicuous threat that sticks to furniture.

According to the CDC, there are over 480,000 tobacco-related deaths in the United States yearly, including third-hand smoke. While your home can be a haven, cigarette smoke residue might be lurking on your furniture. And in this article, we’ll give you eight foolproof ways on how to get the smoke smell out of furniture.

Why You Need to Get Rid of Cigarette Smoke Out of Furniture 

You might think smoking in your home might be nonfatal but think again. A recent study that involved mice exposed to fabrics with third-hand smoke showed health deterioration within a month. If you notice, cigarette smoke can be very stubborn to remove. Aside from it being lethal, the odor is such a turn off as well. 

This residue is because of the chemicals in tobacco smoke, such as gases or particles. Carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen oxides, to name a few. Also, these chemicals are known to mix with other indoor toxins that cause a harmful reaction. Additionally, when you leave cigarette smoke on furniture, the carcinogenic chemicals can accumulate over time. 

Now, imagine if your children laze around on your couch the entire day. Simply touching the contaminated surfaces or putting objects with third-hand smoke in their mouth can be lethal. Aside from encouraging people not to smoke indoors, you can get the smoke smell out of rugs and carpets through proper cleaning and home remedies. We’ve rounded up eight simple and easy tips to help you remove the nicotine smell from your furniture. 

8 Tips on How to Get Smoke Smell Out of Furniture

Sure, putting on scented candles all day can get rid of the smoke smell. However, this is a Band-Aide solution that doesn’t dig deep into the root of the problem. Try one or a couple of these methods to remove cigarette smell. 

1. Vinegar 

Vinegar is a natural cleaning staple that not only masks the smoke smell, but it also eradicates it. The low pH in vinegar invades the high pH in smoke molecules, reducing or eliminating it. You can try using vinegar to remove cigarette smell in three ways:

• Spraying - Mix vinegar with lemon juice and spray it lightly onto the furniture.
• Displaying - Place cups of vinegar in a room where people usually smoke to prevent it from sticking to furniture.
• Wiping - Mix half a gallon of warm water with two cups of vinegar and wipe furniture to remove the smoke smell

2. Baking Soda

Another natural deodorant and disinfectant is baking soda. It does this by combining both basic and acidic odor molecules, giving it a neutral and odorless balance. If you’re wondering how to get cigarette smell out of furniture, sprinkling baking powder on it will suffice.

After you sprinkle baking powder, let it sit for two hours or so. Then vacuum the powder out. Do the same for rugs and carpets. 

3. Charcoal 

Who says charcoal is only for grilling? Due to its carbon molecules, this natural detoxifying agent traps cigarette smell — completely removing them from the air. You can use charcoal or activated charcoal to clear out the smoke smell by hanging them.

If you’re not too fond of hanging charcoal together with your plants or paintings, you can place them in bowls. Then distribute these bowls in your entire home or rooms where people usually smoke. 

4. Air and Sunshine

If you’re wondering how to get smoke smell out of furniture without spending a dime, the good old method still works. Put out furniture pieces outside to let air and sunshine neutralize the odor. 

Take note, however, that too much UV rays may damage or fade the furniture’s fabric. So if you’re not too keen on that, place the furniture on a shady spot. The important thing is that it’s directly or indirectly exposed to natural odor neutralizers. 

5. Steam

Another way to turn to heat to get cigarette smoke out of furniture is to use a steam cleaner. Like UV rays, steam also melts the oils and tar in the smoke molecules. This way, when you apply steam onto the furniture, it can be easy to wipe the residue with a cloth after. And like UV rays, applying too much heat on the fabric may also damage it, so use it gently. 

You can buy a portable steam cleaner on Amazon for more or less $40. Better yet, if you want a multi-purpose steam cleaner, it will set you back roughly $150. 

6. Carbon Filters 

Carbon filters comprise activated charcoal that traps the smoke’s volatile organic compounds. These compounds stick to the surface of the carbon filters until it’s fully saturated. And this process is called adsorption. 

Once the filters are fully saturated, you will need to replace it to give space to new smoke VOCs. Unfortunately, carbon filters don’t remove smoke that is already on the furniture. Instead, it “captures” it before it sticks onto surfaces.

7. Molekule Air Purifier

Do you see those sleek air purifiers that are all the rage these days? Those are called Molekule Air purifiers. It runs on PECO technology, which means photoelectrochemical oxidation. Compared to carbon filters that trap airborne particles, these air purifiers eliminate gases.

The filters on these purifiers use titanium dioxide, which oxidizes gas pollutants. In turn, the oxidation process breaks down these gases and turns them into harmless and odorless molecules. 

8. Ozone Generators

The last tip on how to get the smoke smell out of furniture is to use an ozone generator. It works by producing gas ozone. When this ozone reaches the right levels, it removes air pollutants indoors. While ozone generators can be effective in reducing smoke smell, it doesn’t eliminate the odor that has penetrated the furniture fabric, carpets, etc. 

Moreover, make sure to consult the experts when planning to use this method. Ozone generators are known to irritate the nose, eyes, throat, and lungs. 

Final Thoughts 

There you have it — eight simple, easy, and affordable ways to remove cigarette smell out of furniture. While the best and most effective method is still to prevent smoking indoors, some homeowners find this uncontrollable. So if you ever find yourself in this situation, roll up your sleeves and start cleaning that foul odor away!

Cigarette smoke leaves a stubborn odor that clings to furniture, fabrics, and surfaces, making your home smell unpleasant. Learning how to get smoke smell out of couch cushions, upholstery, and other furniture is essential to keep your home fresh and inviting. In this guide, we’ll cover several effective ways on how to get cigarette smell out of couch and furniture, including walls, carpets, and more.

In this article:

• Why You Need to Get Smoke Smell Out of Furniture
• 6 Tips for How to Get Smoke Smell Out of Couch
• How to Remove Smoke Smell From Upholstered Furniture

Why You Need to Get Smoke Smell Out of Furniture

Cigarette smoke leaves harmful residues that stick to furniture and surfaces. This buildup of chemicals, also known as third-hand smoke, can be hazardous to your health, especially for children and pets who come into contact with these surfaces. In fact, the CDC notes that there are over 480,000 tobacco-related deaths in the United States yearly, including third-hand smoke.

Removing smoke odor isn't just about freshening the air; it's about maintaining a healthy environment in your home.

6 Tips for How to Get Smoke Smell Out of Couch

Here are six proven ways to on how to get smoke smell out of couch:

On how to get smoke smell out of a couch, like brown tufted sofas, sprinkle baking soda over the cushions and let it sit for a few hours. Vacuum the baking soda afterward from your leather recliner sofas or leather reclining sectionals. For tougher odors, mix equal parts water and vinegar and lightly mist the couch. The vinegar will neutralize the smoke smell.

A steam cleaner is an effective tool for deep cleaning upholstered furniture, like tufted upholstered sofas and 6-piece upholstered sectinoals. The heat from the steam helps break down the smoke molecules embedded in the fabric. Use a steam cleaner on your couch and other upholstered furniture when learning how to remove cigarette smell from furniture.

Create a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Lightly mist your gray modular sofas with this solution to break down the smoke molecules. Be sure not to over-saturate the fabric to prevent any water damage.

How to Remove Smoke Smell From Upholstered Furniture

Using a steam cleaner or an enzyme-based cleaner is the best way to remove cigarette smoke smell from furniture like cotton sectionals. These cleaners break down the smoke residue embedded in the upholstery. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific cleaning solution.

To get smoke smell out of clothing, wash them with a cup of vinegar added to the laundry cycle. You can also hang the clothes outside in fresh air to help neutralize the smell.

To remove smoke smell from hair, wash it thoroughly with a clarifying shampoo. If you don't have time for a full wash, use a dry shampoo or baking soda to absorb the odors.

Getting rid of smoke smell from your couch and other furniture is not just about freshening up your home but also creating a healthier environment. Whether you choose to use natural remedies like vinegar and baking soda, invest in air purifiers, or try steam cleaning, there are plenty of effective ways to tackle the stubborn odors.

If the smell is so bad, you can simply replace your old couch with sofas and sectionals on sale at Local Furniture Outlet.