A landlord recently sought advice on how to eliminate the lingering odor of stale smoke from a lodger’s room after the tenant, who had been smoking secretly, moved out. The room featured new carpets and curtains but was heavily affected by the smell.

Experienced landlords and cleaning experts recommend several steps to address the issue. One approach involves removing all soft furnishings such as curtains, rugs, and bedding, and having them professionally dry cleaned. Walls, baseboards, and any pictures should be cleaned thoroughly, starting with a vinegar solution followed by a cleaning spray to neutralize odors.

To further absorb residual smells, placing shallow trays of baking soda in the room for several days can be effective. This may be followed by using uncooked coffee grounds, which can help mask and eliminate smoke odors. It is important to verify that the smell has dissipated before returning the soft furnishings to the room. If the smell persists, replacement of some items may be necessary.

Humidity can exacerbate smoke odors, so the use of a dehumidifier is suggested to reduce moisture in the air and minimize odor retention.

When the smoke smell is embedded in the carpet, professional carpet cleaning services or the use of a carpet cleaning machine, either rented or purchased, are recommended. If these efforts fail to remove the smell, replacing the carpet may be the only viable option.

Overall, a multi-step cleaning process combined with moisture control appears to be the most effective way to combat smoke odors in indoor environments previously occupied by smokers.