Removing Smoke Odor from Your Home

• Cigarette smoke clings to whatever surface it happens across and doesn't willingly let go. If someone has been smoking in the house recently, the odor will remain as an incessant reminder to all who enter the home. Start by washing anything that can be tossed into the washing machine, such as blankets and seat covers. Add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to help eliminate odors that may have become trapped within the fibers.
  
  Replace any light bulbs to help get rid of the smell. Light bulbs attract and hang onto smoke smells; it becomes an even more noticeable problem when the lights are turned on and the light bulb heats up, causing the smell to disperse throughout the room.
  
  Sprinkle baking soda all over carpet and upholstery that cannot be washed, and leave it overnight. Baking soda absorbs odors, so when you vacuum it in the morning, the smell should be gone. If not, mix water and white vinegar in equal parts, and add a squirt or two of dish soap to make it sudsy. Scrub upholstery and other non-washable items with the solution and a clean cloth or sponge, being careful not to oversaturate the area. Use a clean damp cloth to rinse the fabric, and place a fan nearby to help it dry quicker.
  
  Add 1/3 cup of ammonia to a gallon of warm water, and use a clean cloth dipped in the solution to wipe down walls that have signs of nicotine residue on them. Removing the residue will help to eliminate the smell.
  
  

Removing Smoke Odor in the Car

• Vacuum out the entire interior of the car; sometimes just vacuuming can make a big difference. Clean the upholstery by mixing warm water and white vinegar into a spray bottle and adding at least a teaspoon of dish soap to make it sudsy. This solution is great for cleaning the seats and carpet, Simply spray it on and work it in with a clean cloth. Rinse the area with a clean damp cloth, and leave the windows down to help everything dry quicker.
  
  Set a bowl of white vinegar in the car overnight to eliminate any odors in the air. If vinegar isn't handy, try citrus peels, a bowl of baking soda, or a dish of coffee grounds.
  
  

Removing Smoke Smell from You

• Not only does smoke linger on inanimate objects, but it clings to you as well. Use alcohol on a clean cloth to evaporate smoke odors from your skin. Test a small amount first to make sure your skin doesn't react to it. Wash your hands with liquid dish soap to remove the cigarette smoke smell from your fingers.
  
  If you know that you will be smoking, pull your hair back to help protect it from the smoke. The smell will go away with a good washing. A designated jacket can help to protect your clothing, but for clothes that carry that smoke smell, wash them per the manufacturers' instructions, and add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle.