How to Get Rid of the Smell of Cigarette Smoke on Fabric Furniture

Cigarette smoke coats walls, window treatments, and everything else exposed in a home, especially fabric furniture. Unfortunately not all fabric furniture can be cleaned using typical upholstery cleaning methods, but if cigarette smoke has permeated fabric furniture that cannot be cleaned with soap and water, you can still get rid of the smell. Try the following easy ways to get rid of the smell of cigarette smoke on fabric furnishings. It is possible to completely get rid of the smell without getting rid of the furniture!

Begin by Vacuuming or Lint Rolling Fabric

If you have ever known or lived with someone who smokes, you probably already realize how the smoke residue sticks to everything. Clean any hard surface and you will find a brown film that is not always easy to remove. Cigarette smoke not only settles on hard surfaces, but it also clings to fabric and makes it smell like a dirty ashtray. Before trying any method to get rid of the smell of cigarette smoke on fabric furnishings, it is important to vacuum or lint roll it first. Use a vacuum with an upholstery attachment, or if a vacuum is not available use a lint roller or tape. It will help get rid of the residue that settles on the fabric. After all, how can you get rid of the smell of cigarette smoke if the source is left behind?

Plastic Bag or Tarp Method

Natural odor absorbers can be used to get rid of the smell of cigarette smoke on fabric-covered furnishings, but first it is necessary to completely wrap it in sealed but loosely fitting plastic. Tape together several large plastic trash bags or use a plastic tarp. Wrap the furniture in the plastic, and tape the edges with the exception of an opening large enough to accommodate a shallow bowl of one of the following natural odor absorbing products.

Natural Odor Absorbers

Ground dry coffee is a fantastic natural odor absorbing material, and it works well to get rid of even the strongest of odors. Fill a shallow bowl with freshly ground coffee, place the bowl in with the fabric item, and seal the plastic around it. Allow the ground coffee to remain sealed with the fabric furniture for at least 24 hours, depending on the severity of the smell. Once unwrapped, the material should have little or no trace of the smell of cigarette smoke.

Charcoal briquettes can also be used to get rid of the smell of cigarette smoke on fabric furniture. Fill a shallow bowl with charcoal briquettes, and seal the plastic around the furniture as directed above. Allow the charcoal to remain wrapped with the furniture for at least 24 hours to get rid of the smell of cigarette smoke on otherwise clean fabric furnishings.