By Brionna Farney | Published Sep 7, 2022 12:27 PM

Smelling cigarette smoke upon entering a home is not only unpleasant, it can have adverse effects on the health of those who live inside. Whether the residents just moved into the former house of a smoker or plan on cutting ties with smoking and are ready to eliminate the damage, professional cigarette smoke removal house services will completely remove any smoke smells or residue from the home.

According to HomeAdvisor and Angi, professional cigarette smoke removal cost ranges from $200 to $1,000. The size of the house, the extent of the smoke damage, and the removal methods used all contribute to the actual cost. In some cases, if the extent of smoke damage is severe enough, flooring may need to be replaced, further increasing the cost to remove cigarette smoke smell from a house.

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The visible residues and smells associated with past cigarette smoking will permanently remain in a home until they are intentionally removed. Professional cigarette smoke removal house cost varies depending on how much of the home has been affected by the smoke and the methods used for removal.

Cigarette smoke removal services cost depends a lot on the size of the home. The larger a home, the more hours it will take to clean and treat the affected surfaces and systems. There also may be additional costs associated with accessing basements and second floors. In some cases, a smoker might have isolated their smoking to one room or a certain part of the home; smoke removal services would be required only in that area, reducing the overall cost. Homeowners should let the professional smoke removers know which areas should be treated or ask for their opinion based on their experience in removing smoke smell from homes.

The chemicals in cigarette smoke are sticky and bond easily to the particles found in fabrics and other upholstery. While furniture that has recently been moved into a smoker’s home might not be affected, pre-existing textiles like carpet, wallpaper, and curtains can hold on to the smoky odors. Smoke chemicals can be removed from furniture and textiles with deodorizing; standard furniture and textile deodorizing costs anywhere from $200 to $1,000. The process is completed through a technique called thermal fogging, which costs between $200 and $600; it extracts smoke from fabrics by heating and spraying a deodorizing agent in a fog form.

Cigarette smoke will reach just about every corner of a home, including the air ducts. A professional duct cleaning is the best way to remove smoke residue from your HVAC system and costs between $200 and $500. If the residual smoke inside air ducts is not removed, it will continuously spread throughout a home. Air duct cleaning costs depend on the size and type of ductwork, the number of vents, and the accessibility of the system. Homeowners should consult an HVAC professional to complete a system inspection and provide a cost estimate. In most cases, the air ducts are first cleaned to remove all smoke residue, then sanitized to kill any remaining bacteria.

Cleaning and scrubbing all surfaces in a home are usually the first steps taken by a smoke removal company. A hard surface deep cleaning can cost between $200 and $400. This process aims to remove smoke and ash residue present on the surface of walls, floors, and ceilings before more penetrative measures are used, such as ozone treatment and thermal fogging. Depending on the extent of the damage, homeowners could clean hard surfaces with common household staples like vinegar and baking soda, but for extensive damage a specialized cleaning product may need to be used by a professional.

After the professional smoke removers have removed as much cigarette smoke from walls and ceilings as possible, the next step is to paint over or seal the surfaces. The cost to paint the interior of a home ranges from $949 to $2,915, depending on the total square footage. The best paint or sealant for covering smoke stains or smells is solvent based and stain blocking. This type of product prevents smoke particles from seeping through the paint layers. A standard household paint will not work, as the smoke residue will begin to seep through in just a few weeks.

If the extent of the smoke damage is more severe, there are a few additional cigarette smoke removal house cost factors that might also come into play. These include additional projects such as carpet cleaning or replacement and hardwood floor refinishing, which may add to the cost of professional cigarette smoke removal if the damage is extensive and can’t be fixed with traditional smoke removal methods.

Removing smoke odors from carpets can be difficult, as the sticky smoke chemicals cling to fabrics. A professional smoke removal company will first start by cleaning the carpets in an attempt to remove the smoke remains. Professional carpet cleaning costs between $122 and $236, depending on the total square footage. If carpet cleaning is ineffective at removing the smell, carpet replacement is the only option left. While carpet installation costs can be pricey at $786 to $2,802, homeowners can be assured the smoke residue is entirely gone.

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In addition to the smell that may permeate hardwood flooring, stains and burn marks due to cigarette usage can be a problem. The cost of refinishing hardwood floors ranges from $1,077 to $2,529, depending on how many rooms need to be refinished. In most cases, hardwood floors do not have to be replaced due to cigarette smoke damage, and refinishing will be sufficient to remove the evidence of smoke.

In addition to surface cleaning and painting, there are two more advanced methods for professional cleaning of a smoker’s house: thermal fogging and ozone treatment. Each treatment can be used to remove cigarette smoke smell from fabric, carpets, drywall, and other elements in the home that may be affected.

Thermal fogging treatment uses specialized equipment to remove smoke from fabrics and textiles. The process usually costs between $200 and $600, depending on how long it takes. In thermal fogging, a deodorizing agent is vaporized into a foggy solution that, one heated and sprayed onto the smoke-damaged surface, can penetrate deeper than traditional cleaning methods and extract smoke particles. Multiple treatments may be required to completely remove the smoke smell.

Ozone treatment costs anywhere from $200 to $400. Rather than remove the smoke particles, though, ozone treatment works to chemically change the structure of the smoke molecules in order to eliminate the smell. An ozone generator releases chemical ozone into the air, which reacts with the residual smoke. In an oxidation process, the smoke molecules then turn into new molecules that no longer exude an odor. An ozone treatment process can take many hours depending on the extent of the smoke damage.

Homeowners commonly use fragrance and fresh coats of paint to cover up the smells and signs of cigarette smoke damage before selling their house. While those methods may work temporarily, there are several signs of smoke damage that would respond better to professional cigarette smoke removal, including lingering smoke smell, discoloration of surfaces and fabrics, and any allergies that the residents of the home have.

Once a masking fragrance goes away, a smoker’s home will almost always have a lingering smoke smell. The particles in cigarette smoke seep into permeable objects like fabric, upholstery, and drywall, and they can also build up around door frames, wall trim, and light fixtures. The smoke remnants carry a lingering odor that is hard to ignore. Professional cigarette smoke removal services are necessary to completely remove this smell from a home.

Cigarette smoke carries not only a smell but also toxic chemicals like nicotine into every nook and cranny of a home. Together, these chemicals create a yellowish-brown color that sticks to and stains walls and other surfaces. Over time, these stains will further permeate drywall, wood, and flooring and become almost impossible to remove with everyday household cleaners. A professional smoke removal company will use the right combination of chemicals and cleaners to remove the discoloration. If removal of the stains is impossible, the materials must be replaced.

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Smoke particles trapped in a home from past residents can still affect the current residents. The Mayo Clinic defines the buildup of smoke on surfaces over time as thirdhand smoke. Symptoms of allergies triggered by smoke chemicals include difficulty breathing, wheezing, headaches, watery eyes, and more. Additionally, if any residents in a house have preexisting conditions like asthma, symptoms can become exacerbated in a smoker’s home. Professionally removing any smoke residue is the only way to completely eliminate this health hazard.

Removing cigarette smoke is usually a long process requiring specialized equipment and cleaning agents. While DIY smoke smell removal methods exist, they are generally only temporary solutions for mild cases. For homes that have experienced cigarette smoke for months or even years, the most effective and long-lasting way to get rid of smoke smell is with the help of professionals.

Professional smoke removal house cost ends up being worth it in the long run. Smokers’ house cleaning must be comprehensive to be effective. A smoke removal company will evaluate the specific needs of the home, recommend multiple removal methods, and use professional equipment to destroy the smoke particles. Once the cigarette smoke removal process is complete, homeowners can rest easy knowing their home is free from the harmful toxins produced by cigarettes.

While cigarette smoke removal is necessary for the health of those who live in a house, homeowners who plan on selling their house should strongly consider hiring a professional if the smoke smell is severe. A home that smells strongly of cigarette smoke will be off-putting to many buyers and may even result in the homeowner’s having to accept a lower offer on their home than they would have liked.

While most of the tasks associated with cigarette smoke removal services must be completed by trained professionals, there are a few things homeowners can do to save money on smoke odor removal service cost.

As homeowners begin to search for “cigarette smoke removal services near me” and discuss services with smoke removal companies, they should consider asking these qualifying questions.

There is a lot to know and learn about removing the effects of cigarette smoke. In order for homeowners to make the best decisions for the health of their home, they can check out these frequently asked questions.

Cigarette smoke smell can be removed from a house using certain cleaning and repair methods. Homeowners can start by airing out the space and cleaning the surfaces with a baking soda or vinegar wash. If the smoke damage is more excessive from long-term cigarette use, the best option is to hire a professional cigarette smoke removal house company. The company will use specialized equipment and cleaning solutions to completely remove the smoke odor.

To get cigarette smoke off walls and ceilings, homeowners can use a baking soda cleaning solution. Mix 1 gallon of hot water with 3 tablespoons of dish soap and ½ cup of baking soda. Apply the solution to the affected surface, cleaning it up before it saturates the drywall. If this DIY method does not completely remove the cigarette smoke smell, hiring a professional smoke removal company for more proficient service is the best bet.

To deep clean a smoker’s house, start by cleaning the walls and ceilings with a baking soda, dish soap, and water mixture. After two rounds of cleaning, seal the walls with a solvent-based, stain-blocking primer that will lock in the smoke particles. Next, replace all of the fixtures throughout the home that have been affected by the smoke, including but not limited to lighting, switches, outlets, doorknobs, and appliances. Finally, get the air ducts professionally cleaned and sanitized. If this process seems like a lot, consider hiring a cleaning service for smokers’ houses to complete all of these tasks instead.

Smoke from one cigarette can clear out in 2 to 3 hours, but persistent smoke smells from repetitive cigarette use can take weeks to months to clear out.

Professionals remove smoke odor with a combination of methods. First, they thoroughly clean every hard surface in a home. Then, they seal any remaining smoke particles into walls and ceilings by applying a heavy-duty sealant. Professionals may also use deodorizing agents to extract smoke particles from fabrics and textiles.

Cigarette smoke does stay in walls. The toxic particles in cigarette smoke will stick to walls and ceilings. In most cases, the residue can be removed only with professional cleaning services that use specialized equipment and robust cleaning agents.

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