After years of smoking in a home, walls and contents become blemished and develop foul odors, and professional cigarette smoke odor removal is often necessary. Learn more about cleaning homes affected by tobacco residue and odors below.

What is cigarette smoke?

Cigarette smoke residue is a yellowish-brown, gluey substance that sticks to every surface in a home, making it difficult and time-consuming to remove.

When cigarettes, pipes, or cigars are burned, the environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) that results, also known as “secondhand smoke,” is a complex mixture of over 7,000 compounds, more than 40 of which are associated with cancer, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Exposure to ETS often referred to as “passive smoking,” affects both smokers and non-smokers.

How does cigarette smoke affect your home?

Smoking affects the people exposed to smoke and produces odorous substances that stick to every surface of the area where smoking has taken place. The yellowish-brown substance is eliminated through smoking bonds to walls, furniture, and plastics and can permanently change their appearance. Cigarette smoke also penetrates more odor-absorbing objects, such as carpets, upholstery, bedding, walls, clothes, electronics, and more.

Additionally, the HVAC system of a building carries the smoke odor and chemicals throughout the structure. The affected surfaces will become unpleasant to look at, and the odors may disturb many people. The result of long-term smoking in enclosed areas is similar to that of a fire. However, tobacco smoke chemicals are much more challenging to eliminate than those of an actual fire.

Ultimately, tobacco residue is tough to remove and requires professional equipment and services. But, if you want to DIY, here are a few cigarette smoke odor removal tips.

Cigarette Smoke Odor Removal – Fast & Professional
Eliminate stubborn smoke odors from your home with expert help. Call PuroClean of Santa Maria now at (805) 975-0800 for trusted smoke odor removal services

DIY Cigarette Smoke Odor Removal from Homes

Long-term cigarette odor removal solutions

To eliminate cigarette smoke odor, you must thoroughly clean the tobacco smoke residue from every surface and corner of the home:

First, open all windows and doors to let as much fresh air in as possible.
Clean or replace the air filters, furnace filters, and AC filters.
Clean walls and ceilings using products with ammonia and glycol — two ingredients that neutralize bad odors. Let the walls dry and check if the odor persists.
If you can still smell cigarette odor after cleaning, repaint the walls and ceilings with latex paint. Use a sealant designed to lock in odors before painting.
Clean everything in the home: floors, windows, carpets, furniture, upholstery, draperies, blinds, and other household surfaces, fixtures, and items. Hire a professional cleaning company if the tobacco smoke is too difficult to remove.

Short-term cigarette odor removal solutions

If you want inexpensive short-term solutions, try these tips:

Use an air purifier in your home.
Sprinkle baking soda on the carpets, leave it overnight to absorb bad smells, and vacuum it the next day.
Place saucers of white vinegar around the house and leave them overnight to neutralize the smell.
Get indoor plants that can absorb up to 87% of indoor pollutants.
Place small bowls of coffee throughout the home.
Use scented or non-scented candles.
Leave orange peels around the home.
Place pineapple slices around the room with all doors and windows closed for 24 hours.
Place bowls of activated charcoal around the home.

Completely removing the cigarette smoke odor from the home is time-consuming and complicated. Call a professional smoke remediation specialist like PuroClean to remove the scent if the situation is complex.

How PuroClean of Santa Maria Removes Smoke Odors

When local residents in Solvang, Guadalupe, or Santa Ynez need tobacco smoke removed, we deploy a multi-step, professional approach:

1. Full Surface Cleaning

We begin by cleaning all affected structural surfaces, applying professional-grade deodorizing agents to neutralize the stubborn smoke particles.

2. Specialized Equipment

Using advanced equipment such as ozone or hydroxyl generators, we eliminate odors embedded deep within walls, HVAC ducts, and joints.

3. Sealing Surfaces

Once cleaned, we seal all structural surfaces using industry-grade sealants that trap any remaining residues. This step is crucial before repainting or refinishing.

4. Dealing with Soft Contents

Soft furnishings (like bedding, drapes, and upholstery) are highly absorbent and may need specialty cleaning or replacement. Our technicians will assess whether restoration is possible or if replacement is the most cost-effective solution.

Call the Local Experts at PuroClean of Santa Maria

Don’t let smoke damage linger in your home. Whether you’re in Santa Maria, Nipomo, Cuyama, or Buellton, PuroClean of Santa Maria is here to help. Our expert team offers:

Complete smoke cleanup & odor neutralization
Professional deodorization
HVAC and duct cleaning
Fast response and restoration timelines

Call us today at (805) 975-0800 or Contact Us Online to schedule your smoke odor assessment.

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Tobacco and Cigarette Smoke Odor Removal in Santa Maria, CA

Table of Contents

What is cigarette smoke?

How does cigarette smoke affect your home?

DIY Cigarette Smoke Odor Removal from Homes

Long-term cigarette odor removal solutions

Short-term cigarette odor removal solutions