How to Eliminate Cigarette Odour in a Home?

Cigarette odour is one of the most stubborn and difficult to eliminate in a home. Whether you've just bought an apartment or a former smoker lived there, or you simply want to freshen up your space, this odour gets into the walls, fabrics, carpets and even ventilation ducts. Here are the professional methods to get rid of it permanently.

Why cigarette odour is so persistent

Cigarette smoke contains over 7,000 chemical compounds, many of which are microscopic particles that stick to all surfaces. These residues, called « third-hand smoke », form a yellowish and sticky layer on walls, ceilings, fabrics and furniture. Contrary to what many think, airing out the room is not enough : nicotine and tar molecules are deeply embedded in the materials.

The most affected surfaces

• Murs and ceilings : la paint absorbe les particules de fumee and devient yellowish
• Carpets and rugs : les fibres retiennent les odeurs deep
• Rideaux and tissus d'ameublement : les textiles absorbent and retiennent la fumee
• Conduits de ventilation : la fumee circule and se depose in tout le système CVAC
• Boiseries and armoires : le bois est porous and absorbe les odeurs facilement
• Systeme électrique : les residue se déposent meme in les prises and interrupteurs

Professional methods to eliminate the odour

1. Complete wall and ceiling cleaning

The first step is to wash all hard surfaces with a specialized degreasing solution. Products based on trisodium phosphate (TSP) are particularly effective at dissolving nicotine residue. After washing, applying an odour-blocking primer before repainting is often necessary to completely seal remaining residue.

2. Deep carpet and fabric cleaning

Carpets and rugs require high-temperature steam cleaning to penetrate deep and neutralize odours. For severe cases, an enzymatic treatment may be necessary to break down odour molecules at the chemical level. To learn more on cleaning de vos carpets, read our article on le cleaning de carpets en hiver in Montreal.

3. Ozone treatment

Ozone treatment is one of the most effective methods to eliminate cigarette odours. An ozone generator produces O3 molecules that oxidize and destroy the chemical compounds responsible for the odour. This method is used in the most severe cases and must be performed by professionals, as ozone is harmful to humans and animals during treatment.

4. Ventilation duct cleaning

Ventilation ducts are often overlooked, but they can be a major source of persistent odour. Professional duct cleaning eliminates accumulated residue and prevents recirculation of contaminated air throughout the house.

5. Replacing filters and porous materials

In extreme cases, some heavily saturated porous materials will need to be replaced rather than cleaned : carpet underlayment, bathroom joints, ventilation filters and sometimes even the drywall of the most affected walls.

Additional tips

• Bicarbonate de soude : saupoudrez-le on les carpets and tissus, laissez agir toute la nuit and aspirez. Il absorbe une partie of odeurs
• Vinaigre blanc : placez of bols de vinaigre blanc in les pièces for absorber les odeurs ambiantes
• Charbon actif : excellent absorbeur d'odeurs naturel a placer in les armoires and placards
• Purificateur d'air HEPA : aide a filtrer les particules en suspension between les cleanings

Note: air fresheners and scented candles only mask the odour temporarily without eliminating it. For a permanent result, a deep cleaning is essential.

Call on Y CLEAN

Completely eliminating cigarette odour requires a systematic approach and professional products. Chez Y CLEAN, our team is trained and equipped to handle this type of situation. Notre service de deep cleaning inclut cleaning complete de toutes les surfaces, carpet and fabric treatment, and ventilation duct disinfection.

We serve all of Greater Montreal : Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, Brossard and toute la Rive-Sud and Rive-Nord. Pour connaitre nos tarifs, check our guide of prix of the house cleaning in Montreal.