What’s the Best Way to Get Rid of the Smoke Smell After a Fire? 5 Essential Guide To Restoration for Homeowners in Columbus

Summary:

Getting rid of the smoke smell after a fire requires a combination of deep cleaning, air purification, and sometimes professional odor removal treatments. Smoke odor particles can cling to walls, furniture, insulation, and air ducts. While some DIY methods can help reduce minor odors, larger fires often require professional fire damage restoration and deodorization services.

Why Does the Smoke Smell Linger After a Fire?

Smoke odor lingers because tiny particles called microparticles penetrate porous surfaces like drywall, carpet, upholstery, wood, and even insulation. These particles are made up of carbon, ash, and other burnt materials and can cling to surfaces long after the flames are extinguished.

In most cases, the longer the fire burned or the more materials were burned, the deeper the odor penetrates.

The Story of James and the Smoke That Stayed

James, a homeowner in southern Indiana, experienced a grease fire in his kitchen. The fire was out within minutes, but the smoke traveled quickly throughout the house. He opened windows, wiped down surfaces, and used air fresheners but the smell didn’t go away.

Weeks later, the smoke odor was still in his living room furniture, and guests kept asking, “Did something burn here recently?”

James eventually called a fire restoration specialist. Within three days of thermal fogging and deep cleaning, the smoke odor was completely gone. The technician also showed James how his HVAC system had trapped smoke particles and was redistributing the smell.

The lesson: DIY solutions might help at first, but without addressing the source of the smell, it will keep coming back. Acting quickly and calling a professional saved James thousands in future damage and restored the clean, breathable air in his home.

What Areas of the Home Hold Smoke Smell the Longest?

Some areas and items in your home trap and hold onto smoke odors more than others. These include:

• Walls and ceilings (especially painted or textured surfaces)
• Curtains and upholstered furniture
• Carpets and rugs
• HVAC systems and air vents
• Clothing and bedding
• Insulation in walls and attics
• Wood furniture and cabinetry

If not properly cleaned or replaced, these areas will continue to release that burnt smell into the air.

Can You Get Rid of the Fire and Smoke Smell Without Professional Help?

Yes, minor fire or smoke damage (like a kitchen fire or small contained area) can often be addressed with DIY methods. However, for major fire events, professional help is almost always necessary.

DIY Methods to Reduce Smoke Odor:

1. Ventilate the space: Open all windows and use fans to push air outside.
2. Clean hard surfaces: Use vinegar or baking soda solutions to wipe down walls, floors, and ceilings.
3. Wash fabrics: Launder curtains, clothing, and bedding with vinegar or odor-neutralizing detergent.
4. Clean carpets and upholstery: Use a steam cleaner or hire a professional cleaner.
5. Use odor absorbers: Place bowls of baking soda, activated charcoal, or coffee grounds in smelly areas.
6. Air purifiers: Use HEPA-filter air purifiers with activated carbon filters to trap airborne particles and odors.

But for persistent, deep, or widespread smells, professionals are equipped to neutralize odors at the molecular level.

What Do Professionals Use to Remove Fire Smoke Smell?

Professional fire damage restoration companies use specialized techniques and equipment, such as:

1. Thermal Fogging

A deodorizing fog is released to penetrate walls, furniture, and cracks, neutralizing odor particles.

2. Ozone Treatment

Ozone generators release ozone molecules that bond with odor particles and neutralize them. These machines are powerful and require the area to be vacant during treatment.

3. Hydroxyl Generators

A safer alternative to ozone, hydroxyl machines break down odor molecules using UV light and moisture.

4. HEPA Air Scrubbers

These high-powered machines remove fine particles from the air, including soot and smoke particles.

5. Sealing Surfaces

In cases where odor can’t be removed from walls or ceilings, professionals may seal surfaces with odor-blocking paint or primers.

What’s the Best Way to Permanently Remove Fire Odor?

The best way is usually a combination of methods:

1. Assess the damage – Identify which areas are holding the most smell.
2. Remove source materials – Any burned or severely smoke-damaged material should be removed and replaced (e.g., insulation, carpets).
3. Deep clean every surface – Including walls, ceilings, light fixtures, and floors.
4. Professional deodorization – Use ozone or thermal fogging depending on severity.
5. Air purification – Run HEPA-filter purifiers for days or weeks if needed.
6. Replace HVAC filters – Your air system likely circulated smoke and can continue to spread the smell if not addressed.

How Long Does It Take to Get Rid of the Smell After a Fire?

It depends on the size of the fire and the methods used:

• Small fire (e.g., kitchen): A few days to a week with good cleaning and ventilation.
• Moderate fire: 1–2 weeks with professional help.
• Large fire or entire home: Multiple weeks or more, especially if structural damage occurred.

The key is starting cleanup immediately to prevent the smoke from settling permanently into your home’s surfaces.

Final Thoughts

Smoke smell after a fire isn’t just unpleasant it’s a sign that toxic particles may still be lingering in your home. DIY cleanup can reduce minor odors, but only professional-grade methods can fully remove embedded smoke odor.

If you’ve had a fire in your home, don’t wait for the smell to go away on its own. The longer you wait, the deeper it settles and the more it costs to fix.

Act fast, clean thoroughly, and reach out to a fire damage restoration company if needed. Your lungs and your home will thank you.

For immediate assistance with Fire damage restoration, contact PuroClean Home Savers, Call (+1) 614-689-0012.
PuroClean Home Savers has over 15 years of experience in the fire damage restoration industry, with over 100 5 Star reviews on Google serving Columbus, Ohio. Click on this link to see it’s online reviews and ratings.

FAQs: Getting Rid of Fire and Smoke Odor

Q1. How long does smoke smell last after a fire?
Without proper cleanup, smoke smell can linger for weeks or even months. It embeds into fabrics, drywall, and HVAC systems.

Q2. Is the smoke smell harmful to health?
Yes. Smoke particles can cause respiratory issues, headaches, and allergies, especially in children, elderly people, and those with asthma.

Q3. Can air fresheners remove the smoke smell?
No. Air fresheners only mask the odor temporarily. They don’t remove the particles that cause the smell.

Q4. Will repainting the walls remove the smoke smell?
Only if you use a smoke-sealing primer first. Otherwise, the smell can bleed through paint.

Q5. How much does professional smoke odor removal cost?
It varies by the extent of the damage, but minor jobs may cost $500–$1,500, while larger restorations can exceed $10,000.