How to Remove Cigarette Smells from a Room Quickly

(What Works — and What Takes Time)

Cigarette smoke has a habit of lingering long after the last window has been closed. Even in an otherwise clean room, the smell can feel stubborn — particularly if smoking has taken place indoors more than once.

While many people search for ways to remove cigarette smells “instantly”, the reality is more nuanced. Some improvements can be made quickly, while deeper odours take time to fully resolve. Understanding the difference helps avoid frustration — and leads to better, longer-lasting results.

This guide explains what genuinely helps reduce cigarette smells efficiently, what takes longer, and how to restore a room so it feels fresh and comfortable again.

Why cigarette smells linger

Cigarette smoke isn’t just a smell in the air. It contains fine particles that settle onto surfaces such as walls, carpets, curtains, and upholstered furniture. These particles slowly release odour back into the room, which is why the smell can persist even after airing out a space.

The more porous the material, the more easily it absorbs smoke — which is why soft furnishings are often the biggest contributors to lingering odour.

What can improve quickly

Some steps can noticeably improve a room within a short period of time, particularly when combined.

Ventilation

Fresh air is always the starting point. Opening windows on opposite sides of a room creates airflow that helps move stale air out. A fan positioned near a window can help speed this process along.

Light surface cleaning

Wiping down hard surfaces — including walls, doors, window frames, and skirting boards — helps remove smoke residue that contributes to odour. A mild detergent solution is usually sufficient.

Refreshing fabrics

Washing removable items such as curtains, cushion covers, and throws can make a noticeable difference. Vacuuming upholstered furniture and carpets also helps reduce trapped particles.

These steps won’t remove deeply embedded smoke residue, but they often reduce the intensity of the smell quite quickly.

What takes longer (and why)

If smoking has taken place indoors over a long period, smoke particles may be embedded deeper into carpets, furniture, or painted surfaces. In these cases:

• Odour absorbers work gradually, not immediately

• Repeated cleaning may be required

• Some materials may retain faint traces for weeks

This doesn’t mean the process isn’t working — it reflects how smoke behaves in enclosed spaces.

Step-by-step: reducing cigarette smells effectively

1. Start with airflow

Ventilate the room as much as practical while cleaning. Leave doors open so air can circulate into corners, wardrobes, and adjoining spaces.

2. Clean key surfaces

Walls, doors, and furniture arms are often overlooked but hold onto smoke residue. Wipe these areas down gently and allow them to dry fully.

3. Use natural odour absorbers

Baking soda, activated charcoal, and bowls of white vinegar can help absorb lingering odours over time. These don’t add fragrance — they quietly reduce what’s left behind.

4. Improve air filtration

An air purifier with a HEPA or carbon filter can help reduce airborne particles, particularly in rooms where ventilation is limited.

Where fragrance fits — and where it doesn’t

Fragrance works best after the room has been properly cleaned and aired. Used too early, it can feel like masking rather than improving the space.

Once the air and surfaces are neutral again, fragrance can help reset the atmosphere and make the room feel complete — particularly in living areas or bedrooms that previously felt stale.

Gentle, consistent fragrance is often preferable to sharp bursts. Wax melts, for example, release scent gradually and evenly, allowing it to sit quietly in the background rather than dominating the space.

At Souvant, fragrance is designed to complement a clean room — not correct it.

Choosing the right type of scent

After deep cleaning, lighter fragrance profiles tend to work best initially. Citrus-led or softly aromatic blends can help a room feel balanced and refreshed without feeling heavy.

As the space settles over time, deeper or more complex fragrances often feel more natural. The key is allowing the room to return to neutral first, then introducing scent thoughtfully rather than immediately.

Keeping the room fresh going forward

Once cigarette smells have eased, simple habits help prevent them returning:

• Regular ventilation

• Light surface cleaning

• Occasional use of odour absorbers

• Gentle fragrance as part of an evening routine

Freshness is usually maintained through consistency, not one-off fixes.

Final thoughts

Removing cigarette smells isn’t about finding a miracle solution. It’s about understanding what can improve a room quickly, what takes longer, and approaching the process with patience.

Most spaces feel noticeably fresher within a day when cleaned and ventilated properly — and continue to improve over time. Once the air is clear, fragrance becomes a choice rather than a solution, helping a room feel welcoming again.

At Souvant, fragrance is about atmosphere — designed for spaces that are already cared for.