Depending on the kind of furniture you have, removing the smell of smoke can be simple and easy. However, it cannot be accomplished using Febreeze or another air freshener spray. The problem with air fresheners is that they mask the smell, rather than removing it all together. The smell of the freshener will cover the smoke, but it’s only temporary! In a few days, the smoke smell will return and your furniture will continue to frustrate you.
- Q: I bought a beautiful leather couch from a friend who is also a smoker. As a result, the couch stinks and now so does my living room! Any tips on how to remove the offending smell and get my home back to normal?
- A: This is a common problem, but with some every day household products, you can bring this leather couch back to its original condition. First of all, baking soda is a great deodorizer! You have a few options: you can sprinkle the baking soda liberally all over the couch and leave it on for a day or two. Make sure the couch is covered otherwise you run the risk of bleaching the leather. After a day, you can vacuum the baking soda right off. The smoke smell should have been absorbed because of the baking soda. Or, you can simply leave a container of baking soda out in your living room and absorb the general smell.
- Q: I have a dresser that I inherited from my aunt. She was a known smoker, and I can’t find any way to remove the smell without damaging the delicate wood. Can you help?
- A: Wood furniture can be a little bit more challenging to remove smells from but it is not impossible! One thing to try is white vinegar and water. Create a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water and wash your wood furniture with it. The vinegar will absorb the smell of the smoke, but will leave the wood in perfect condition. If that doesn’t work, you can buy charcoal (yes, like the charcoal you grill with) and put it in the drawers of the dresser for a few days. Charcoal is a great natural deodorizer that doesn’t deal with harmful chemicals or potential damage.