Of the five basic senses that humans possess, the sense of smell is perhaps the subtlest. Although we may not notice it, but our sense of smell plays an active part in helping the brain perceive various situations. Whether it is the smell of freshly mowed grass, a hot steak, strong after-shave or cigarette smoke, everything carries a distinct odor. Odor can be both pleasant and unpleasant, but unpleasant odors often cause a lot of discomfort. Smoke odor is especially stubborn, as it tends to stick and gets absorbed readily by most surfaces.

Since smoke odor is hard to get rid of, special techniques are used to deal with this problem. Cigarette smoke smell from cars can be removed by shampooing the floor mats, upholstery and all washable interior surfaces. The ashtrays, windows and other parts of the car should be thoroughly cleaned and baking soda should be applied to the car floor. The soda effectively absorbs the smoke smell and can be easily cleaned by using a vacuum cleaner.

The most renowned home-tip for removing smoke odor is using vinegar. It can be used in combination with water and baking soda to make a mixture that can be sprayed from a spray bottle. Placing wide shallow dishes filled with vinegar inside the house can also effectively absorb all smoke odors. The vinegar in the dishes will need to be replaced with fresh vinegar every 2-3 days.

To remove smoke odors from fabrics, the material should be washed in hot water and soaked overnight. For removing smoke smell from the walls, they should be scrubbed with ammonia or trisodium phosphate and rinsed thoroughly. For stubborn smells, a coating of compound called ‘BIN’ should be applied, which stops the penetration of smell into a fresh coat of paint. Ozone air purifiers are an expensive, but sure-shot way to remove smoke odors.

However, the easiest and most effective way to remove smoke odors is to buy air fresheners, or other similar aerosol products. Some air fresheners can be stuck to a wall, sprayed, or even plugged to a power outlet.