How to get rid of cigarette smoke odor in your rental or Airbnb

If you’ve ever walked into a room and been hit with the stale, lingering stench of old cigarette smoke, you know how it clings to everything—walls, carpets, furniture—seeping into every corner like an unwelcome guest. It’s not just unpleasant; it’s persistent, overpowering, and nearly impossible to ignore. 

No matter how clean the space looks, that musty, smoky odor can instantly make it feel off-putting. 

Whether you’re dealing with one rental or multiple listings, a quick spray of air freshener won’t cut it, you need better solutions to truly get rid of that stubborn smell.

Why does smoke smell linger? Smoke contains tiny particles, including nicotine residue and over 250 other harmful chemicals. They embed themselves in surfaces like walls, carpets, upholstery, and even cabinets. When ignored, these particles can often cause a persistent smell in your apartment or house. The longer you wait, the higher the chances that regular cleaning won’t be enough to fully remove the smell.

It's more than just unpleasant, it can also impact indoor air quality, occupants' health, and rental property value. Smoke residue and thirdhand smoke can pose health risks, especially for people with allergies or respiratory issues. Additionally, a strong smoke odor may lower the overall appeal of the property, discouraging prospective tenants or rentors. As a landlord or property manager, getting rid of the smell of cigarette smoke is crucial to protect your investment and keep renters happy.

This complete guide covers everything from short-term odor reduction, to more intensive methods like ozone treatment, as well as how to set up a smoke-free environment to ensure you never deal with those odors again. 

Why does the smell of cigarette smoke linger?

If a tenant or guest has been smoking in your rental property, opening a window or spraying some air freshener and hoping for the best might not be enough. Smoke particles are incredibly tiny, and they embed themselves in porous materials like carpet, wall paint, curtain fabric, and even wooden furniture. Over time, these materials absorb the nicotine residue and tobacco smell, releasing them slowly back into the air.

• Walls and ceilings: Drywall and paint are somewhat porous, and nicotine residue sticks to the surface, creating a yellowish film that can make the entire apartment smell like smoke.
• Carpets and rugs: The fibers act like a sponge, trapping smoke particles, which can then linger for months or even years.
• HVAC systems: If you have an older vent or duct system, smoke can move through the entire unit, affecting rooms that may have never been smoke. in.

When trying to get rid of the smoke smell, you need to tackle all of these. Otherwise, you might only mask the odor in one area, but it will continue to spread.

Common mistakes to avoid

Wondering why so many DIY methods fail? It often comes down to focusing on the wrong solutions:

• Only using air fresheners: Scented sprays can temporarily cover up odors, but they don’t address thirdhand smoke particles on surfaces.
• Neglecting ventilation: Don't forget that fresh air circulation is key to reducing smoke smells.
• Not cleaning all affected areas: It’s easy to forget cabinets, flooring, baseboards, or even lamp shades. Every nook and cranny could contain smoke residue.
• Skipping HVAC maintenance: If your system has a filter clogged with nicotine residue, it will keep recirculating that smoke odor.

Quick fixes for immediate odor reduction

If a new Airbnb guest or a tenant is set to arrive soon, you'll need to get rid of that smoke smell fast. The methods below will help mitigate the situation until you have time for a deep clean. 

Ventilation is always the first step

Open windows and turn on fans to air out the space, push old, smelly air out and bring fresh air in.

• Create a draft: Position a fan in front of a window so it blows air outside. Then, open another window on the opposite side of the property to draw fresh air in.
• Run ceiling fans: If the property has ceiling fans, keep them on a medium to high setting for at least an hour or two to move air around.
• Check for particularly stale spaces: Some spaces (like closets or enclosed bathrooms) may not have much airflow. Leave doors open so air can circulate everywhere.

Ventilation alone won’t completely remove the smell of cigarette smoke, but it’s a critical first step in reducing the concentration of smoke particles in the air.

Neutralizing odors with natural remedies

If you’re looking for quick fixes that go beyond just airing out the apartment, household items like baking soda, coffee grounds, vinegar, and activated charcoal can work wonders for short-term odor removal.

• Baking soda: Sprinkle baking soda generously on carpets, upholstered furniture, and even mattress surfaces. Let it sit for a few hours (ideally overnight) before vacuuming it up. 
• White vinegar: Create a vinegar solution by mixing warm water with vinegar in a spray bottle, then lightly mist it on curtains, carpeting, or other fabrics. Make sure you test this on a hidden patch first, as vinegar can affect certain materials or finishes. You can also put cups or bowls of vinegar around the room to absorb smoke smells.
• Coffee grounds: Place fresh grounds in small bowls around the home. Coffee has a strong scent that can help masks odors.
• Activated charcoal: These products often come in small pouches and can be placed discreetly in corners, closets, or near vents to absorb smoke particles.

These natural approaches may not completely rid you of the cigarette smell, but they can at least freshen things up in the short term, until you can deep clean.

Deep cleaning to remove smoke smell completely

If you have the time, a deep clean should eradicate the smoke residue. This is especially important if a previous tenant was a heavy smoke. or if you’re dealing with an apartment that has experienced fire smoke damage.

Cleaning walls, ceilings, and floors

Walls, ceilings, and floors are often the main areas that retain smoke smells. Clean them thoroughly:

Wipe down surfaces with a cleaning solution:

• A mix of warm water and white vinegar works well, or you can use a professional-grade product designed for smoke odor removal.
• In some cases, adding a bit of ammonia (never mix with bleach!) can help break down stubborn nicotine residues.

Use an odor-blocking primer:

• After you’ve cleaned and let everything dry, paint over walls with a blocking primer like Kilz or Zinsser BIN.
• These primers seal in leftover smoke particles and make sure smells won’t come through the paint later.

Clean the floor thoroughly:

• If you have carpets, you’ll likely need to deep clean or replace them if the smell persists.
• Hard floors (wood, laminate, tile) should be mopped with a product that can break down nicotine residue.
• Pay special attention to corners, baseboards, and any cabinet toe kicks.

Deodorizing fabrics and furniture

Soft furnishings like upholstered furniture, curtains, and rugs can be a major source of lingering smoke odors. Here’s a simple step-by-step approach:

1. Remove all fabrics (curtains, cushion covers, etc.) and wash them in hot water (if the fabric allows). Add a cup of white vinegar to the washing machine for extra odor-fighting power.
2. Sprinkle baking soda on carpets, rugs, and any upholstery that can’t be machine-washed. Let it sit for at least a few hours, then vacuum thoroughly.
3. Steam cleaning can be highly effective for carpets and larger furniture. It can penetrate deep into fibers to get rid of embedded smoke particles.
4. Air dry everything in a well-ventilated area. If possible, place items in direct sunlight, as UV rays can help with the smell.

You might need multiple rounds of cleaning, but the results are worth it.

Cleaning air ducts and HVAC systems

Improve indoor air quality by cleaning your HVAC system:

1. Replace HVAC filters: A filter clogged with nicotine residue or dust will circulate smelly air through the unit.
2. Wipe down vents and intake grilles with a vinegar solution or a specialized product.
3. Consider hiring a professional duct cleaning service if the property has had serious smoke exposure (e.g., after a house fire or years of heavy smoking).
4. Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter or activated charcoal to help remove lingering smoke particles.

Professional solutions for stubborn smells

If you’ve done a deep clean and still notice a smell in the apartment, a professional intervention is the best way to go.

Ozone treatment and ionizers

What are ozone generators and ionizers?

• An ozone generator emits O₃, which interacts with smoke molecules, essentially oxidizing them to reduce the smell. You’ll need to vacate the apartment during treatment, as ozone can be harmful to people and pets if inhaled in large amounts. Professional ozone treatments can be quite effective, but they can also be expensive.
• Ionizers charge smoke particles so they adhere to surfaces and can be cleaned away. They’re often used alongside other cleaning methods but may not be as powerful as a full ozone treatment.

When to hire a professional cleaning service

You might need a professional service if:

• A heavy smoker lived in the unit for many years.
• Multiple cleaning attempts haven’t succeeded.
• You need the apartment turned over quickly.

Professional cleaning companies that specialize in fire smoke or cigarette odor removal will use specialized solutions—like ozone generators, thermal fogging, or advanced chemical treatments—to break down smoke particles in ways standard cleaning products can’t. Pricing varies, but a comprehensive odor removal treatment can range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars, depending on the size of the property.

Setting up a smoke-free environment

Once you’re finally rid of the cigarette smell, the next question is: How do you prevent it from coming back? Here are some effective methods to keep your rentals free from that pesky smell.

Establish a no smoking policy

If you’re a landlord, include a strict no smoking policy in your lease.  For property managers handling Airbnb or other short-term rentals, clearly state in your listing that there’s no smoking indoors. Check out our article on the Airbnb smoking fee to see how adding a fee can deter guests from smoking.

Use smoke detection sensors

Smoke detectors are essential for fire safety, but they can’t differentiate between cigarette smoke and real danger. Minut’s smoke detection sensors solve this by identifying cigarette smoke in real-time, sending instant alerts so you can enforce no-smoking policies and protect your property.

Designate a smoking area outside

Sometimes, smokers just need a convenient place that isn’t indoors. Provide seating and ashtrays, or a covered area outside to encourage smokers to not smoke inside.

 Regularly inspect the property

• Walk through the apartment between stays, or even occasionally during longer leases, to catch any signs of smoke or damage early on.
• If you manage a multi-family property, take a look at our multi-family housing smoke-free guide for more detailed advice.

By setting up these protective measures, you minimize the risk of dealing with smoke smells in the future. It’s about safeguarding your property and ensuring a pleasant living experience for any new renter or guest.

Keeping your property fresh 

Dealing with smoke odors in a rental property can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. By airing out  rooms, using natural household odor absorbers like baking soda, performing a thorough deep clean with vinegar solution, and considering professional treatments in the worst cases, you can effectively remove cigarette smoke smell. Once the smell is gone, use preventive measures—like a strict no smoking policy, Minut’s marijuana and cigarette smoke detection sensors, and regular inspections—to keep it from happening again.

Eliminating smells is only half the battle. Preventing new smoke residue buildup is what protects your investment in the long run. Whether you’re a landlord managing a single rental unit or a professional overseeing multiple properties, maintaining a smoke-free environment helps improve indoor air quality, keeps tenants happy, and safeguards your property value.

Looking for extra peace of mind? Minut’s property insights platform provides real-time data on noise, occupancy, and smoke detection, allowing you to monitor your rental and proactively maintain a fresh environment for years to come.