How to Get Rid of the Smoke Smell Now You've Quit Smoking

In this article...

What Are the Different Types of Cigarette Smoke?
Why Do My House, Car, and Clothes Smell of Cigarette Smoke?
Why is it Important to Get Rid of the Smell of Smoke From My Car, Home or Clothing?
How to Get Rid of Smoke Smells From Your Home, Car, and Clothes.
Removing Cigarette Smoke Smells From Your Clothes, Body and Hair.
Keep Up the Smoke free Environment

At Totally Wicked, we fully support the Government's calls for a smoke-free, healthier Britain [1]. But truly achieving this vision must start right in our own homes.

As you make the important decision to quit smoking, you may soon find you're noticing the smell of cigarette smoke everywhere! From your home, to your car, and on your clothes. And exposure to these smells can lead to withdrawal triggers and may slow down progress made while giving up smoking or returning to smoking after quitting [2].

So, to help, I've compiled recommended solutions tailored to remove smoke residues from your environment.

What Are the Different Types of Cigarette Smoke?

Let's focus on the 3 main types of tobacco use which result in the smell of smoke: cigarettes, roll ups, and pipes.

Smoke emissions from these are more commonly known as Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) [3].

ETS is made up of several components:

First-hand smoke is what a cigarette smoker directly inhales from a lit cigarette, roll-up or pipe. This smoke enters the lungs before being exhaled and turning into second-hand smoke.
Second hand smoke (SHS) refers to the smoke being exhaled from the smoker. This exhaled smoke can then be breathed in by people nearby and is known as passive smoking [4]. It can also settle onto surfaces or fabric which turns it into third-hand smoke.
Third hand smoke is left over residue from second hand smoke once it has settled on surfaces or fabrics.

To combat these and finally get rid of the smoke smells, it's best to understand why your home smells.

Why Do My House, Car, and Clothes Smell of Cigarette Smoke?

The lingering smell of smoke starts with second hand smoke that transitions into third hand smoke once it settles on hard surfaces or fabric [5]. When it has settled on surfaces it releases toxins such as arsenic which is commonly found in pesticides and cadmium that is found in batteries [6].

You may be wondering why you can still smell tobacco smoke in your home, car on clothes, even after giving up smoking. The annoying truth is - smoke residues and particles easily cling to surfaces such as: hard surfaces, soft surfaces and fabrics [7].

illustration of magnified clothing fibres with tiny bubbles containing cigarettes signifying lingering smoke smells.

When cigarette smoke makes contact with these surfaces, smelly gases and chemicals get trapped and absorbed this is then considered as third hand smoke. Over time the absorbed particles will continue releasing unpleasant smoke odours into the environment [8].

Why is it Important to Get Rid of the Smell of Smoke From My Car, Home or Clothing?

Whether you're giving up smoking or you've already quit smoking completely, it's important to remove the smell of smoke from your environment.

We recently asked our customers via Instagram* what one thing they were most grateful for after quitting smoking. The responses were, more or less, evenly split with 32% in favour of improved health, 36% for money savings and 31% grateful for leaving behind the cigarette smoke smell. Some former smokers highlighted the self-conscious improvements when in a social setting.

Pie chart of results from Instagram poll asking what ex-smokers are most grateful for : yellow segment showing 32% chose Improved health, orange segment showing 36% choose money savings, green segment showing 31% chose getting rid of smoke smell.

Another factor that needs to be considered is the leftover smoke smell that can act as a trigger for lighting another cigarette. Even subtle traces of cigarette smells in your home, car, or clothes can make you want a cigarette, undoing your quitting smoking progress.[9]

If you're looking to continue vaping more affordably after quitting cigarettes, be sure to check out our Totally Wicked money saving tips for vapers.

How to Get Rid of Smoke Smells From Your Home, Car, and Clothes.

There are many factors to consider as well as many recommended methods to remove the smell of smoke from cars, houses and clothing. Here are my tips for the best way to remove the smell of cigarette smoke from each one.

Removing cigarette smoke smells from your car

Have you quit smoking but still being tormented by the stale scent of tobacco every time you get in your car? With some tried and tested cleaning methods, you can get your car’s interior looking and smelling fresh in no time [10].

Thoroughly vacuum interior upholstery, crevices, and floor mats to lift out smokey particles and residues
Use an enzyme-based foam cleaner to lift stubborn smoke stains from fabric seats before extracting
Refresh leather steering wheels and gear shift knobs with conditioner wipes to avoid drying and cracking
Clear out lingering air vent odours by fogging the system with an air duct smoke eliminator spray

With the right mix of cleaning techniques, you can get rid of the stubborn smoke smell for good.

Removing cigarette smoke smells from your home

Even if you previously only smoked out a window or the back door, smoke residues can still make their way into your home. Now you've quit smoking you can get rid of old tobacco smoke within your home by using my following tips [11].

Sprinkle baking soda liberally over fabrics, let sit, then vacuum up to absorb odours.
Wash smoke-infused curtains, pillows, upholstery and bedding in hot water with odour fighting detergent.
Create a paste of baking soda and water to gently scrub walls and ceilings before rinsing clean.
Use an enzyme carpet cleaner to break down stubborn smoke particles trapped in carpets and rugs.
Place bowls of activated charcoal around rooms to absorb musty molecules in the air.

With the right combination of cleaning methods and products, you can effectively tackle smoke smells that have already settled into your home.

Removing Cigarette Smoke Smells From Your Clothes, Body and Hair.

Even after you have quit smoking, the smokes smells may still be on your clothing, skin or in your hair. This can be for many reasons such as being around smokers, being a smoking area or simply walking past a smoker in the street.

It can be frustrating to get cigarette smell off your clothes and hair even after quitting smoking. But there’s hope – by following my advised methods, you can get rid of the cigarette smoke smells for good [12].

Getting rid of smoke smells from clothes:

Try adding baking soda to your regular detergent when machine washing smoke-scented clothing.
Rubbing dryer sheets over your clothes can help absorb residual odours.
Lightly spray your tops and pants with a refreshing diluted lemon spray for extra freshening.

Removing smoke smells from Your Body:

Be sure to bathe regularly, especially after sweating, to rinse away smoke particles from skin.
Try to use a body wash containing activated charcoal to help draw out smells.

Getting Smoke Smells From Your Hair:

Shampooing two or three times in a row goes a long way towards removing cigarette buildup
Gently run a dryer sheet from roots to ends to soak up lingering tobacco scents

It's clear that taking care of hygiene is the best method to remove the odours from your body. Regular washing of clothes and bathing will help you towards a smoke smell free lifestyle.

Keep Up the Smoke free Environment

We are deeply respectful of those that have already quit smoking and those on the path to quitting the habit. Being around smokers can be sometimes difficult to avoid but with our tips you can combat any lingering smells associated with tobacco smoke.

Understanding the cause of lingering smoke smells such as second-hand smoke can also help you educate and support friends or family. Share this knowledge as an act of encouragement - it may greatly help loved ones on their journey towards a fresh start and a smoke-free future.

I'd love to hear of any methods and tips that have worked for you, so please feel free to pop them below in the comments.