What is the best way to rid a house of the smell of smoke?

Question

A neighbour of mine recently had a very bad kitchen fire which although it was extinguished in less than one hour, has left the rest of the house smelling of smoke. We have tried cleaning it thoroughly and used many forms of air freshener but it is still there can any of you guys out there offer any tips that may help solve this problem?

Answer 1

Had a look on the Google site (www.google.co.uk) and it suggests the following...
"One tip heard a long time ago that people have used in homes that have smoke damage is to set out a bowl full of coffee ground in the affected area. The coffee is a very absorbant material and will help to reduce/eliminate the odour of the smoke."
Also mentions using vinegar.

ps. take a look on this website....
www.howcleanisyourhouse.co.uk
It's Kim and Aggie's tv show website and it has a heading under Fire and Flood.
Good luck.

Answer 2

Boardpen & Steelypen had good answers, but be sure the damage is thorough enough to warrant a preofessional cleaning.

Febreeze will only MASK the odor,not get rid of it & can add to the toxins; alas, I love it, but use it sparingly since learning it can kill birds w/in hours/or two weeks !!

I'd use an Ionic Breeze. It helps get rid of my neighbour's chimney smoke which is always getting in my house. Have to clean the grids every two days, but, in 10 mins. my house is breathable.

Also, a consult from a professional service might not be a bad idea: if the fire was extensive.

But, I can swear by the Ionic Breeze esp w/the GPS or GSP on it, and, now that they have something to take care of the ozone produced. Make sure you get that one; see if they have a special going. It can always be used for many other purposes; just don't put near computer equipment.

And, be sure to turn upside down, hear that click, turn it rightside up again, after cleaning grids.

Answer 3

Apart from leaving loads of hose plug in fresheners around (which if you ask me smell worse than the smoke anyway) your best option is to just open all the doors and windows as you can and just air the place through for at least a few hours - not exactly the weather for that I know, but it's the only way.

Also before you do that make sure you remove and charred wood or other stuff that has burnt from the house first or it will just keep producing the smell.

Answer 4

You could try boiling a load of apples in a gallon of the cheapest white vinegar, and try and vent the odour thru the house. But any such home remedy may work only marginally.
If the smoke smell is now well impregnated into the walls, carpets and furniture - only a professional clean up will do the job.

Answer 5

There are specialist firms that deal with smoke fumes, and they generally use like a solution blown out of kind of a smoke machine that puts fresh smell into your house. It can take a few days to do it, but it does work.

Answer 6

Change the carpets and redecorate because the smells get in the walls and curtains etc, everything. Air the property regularly too. And use lots of deodorising sprays. Yuk! Good luck. xx

Answer 7

Contact your own contents insurance company as smoke damage may well be covered and they may be able to send in professionals for cleaning and clearing the smell

Answer 8

You could try halving an onion and place them in the rooms. Alternatively try standing a bucket of cold water in each of the rooms affected. This really works for paint and may well work for smoke. Good luck.

Answer 9

Old fashioned I know but always does the trick, particularly for tobacco smoke so should work for you - leave bowls (cereal size) of vinegar in each room overnight. Doesnt have to be loads, just approx 1" deep!
Good luck

Answer 10

Frebreeze