Landlord Complaining About Remove Smoke smell from Rental Property? Here’s How to It Before Moving Out

Did you know that over 55% of Melbourne landlords in 2024 reported smoke odours as a top reason for bond deductions?
Whether from cigarettes, incense, or cooking, smoke smells can linger — and your landlord will notice. Here’s how to eliminate it before moving out and protect your bond.

Moving out of a rental property is stressful enough without having to deal with the aftermath of lingering smoke smell. Whether it’s from cigarettes, cooking, or any other source, a strong smoke odor can be hard to get rid of and could lead to deductions from your bond. Landlords may withhold part of your deposit if they are not satisfied with the condition of the property, especially when it comes to unpleasant odors like smoke.

In this blog, we’ll share effective ways to remove smoke smell before moving out, so you can leave your rental property in pristine condition and ensure a smooth transition to your next home.

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1. Why Is Remove Smoke smell from Rental Property Such a Big Issue for Landlords?

When you’re renting a property, keeping it in good condition is part of your agreement. Smoke smells, particularly from tobacco or cooking, can be difficult to eliminate. Landlords and property managers have the right to expect that the property is left in a habitable state. The presence of smoke odors can:

1.1. Affect the Property’s Value

The lingering smell of smoke can make a property feel less fresh and less appealing. It can be especially challenging to remove if the smell has seeped into the carpets, upholstery, or walls. Smoke is actually made up of over 400 smelly components like ammonia, acetic acid, 3-ethenylpyridine, and hydrogen sulphide. These particles stick to clothes, furniture, and walls, forming that stubborn odor we know—and hate.

1.2. A Health Concern

For non-smokers, strong smoke odors can be irritating and even harmful. Mold and dust particles can cling to the smell, making it harder to fully eliminate. Smoke can cause respiratory issues or allergic reactions in some people. The chemical components of smoke can exacerbate these concerns, as they linger in the environment long after the initial exposure.

Understanding the Impact of Smoking Indoors on Lingering Smoke Smell

Smoking inside the home significantly contributes to the persistent odor that can be difficult to eliminate. When tobacco smoke is released indoors, tiny smoke particles adhere to various surfaces, such as walls, ceilings, carpets, and furniture. This not only leads to unpleasant odors but can also result in long-lasting stains and potential health risks.

Even when efforts are made to improve ventilation, the residue of these particles, known as thirdhand smoke, can still cling to surfaces and fabrics within the home. This means that the smell isn’t just airborne; it seeps into materials and is retained over time.

Key Factors Affecting Smoke Smell Persistence:

• Surface Affinity: Smoke particles have a natural tendency to stick to porous materials like upholstery and wood, making them particularly difficult to remove.
• Ventilation Limitations: Although airing out a space can reduce the smell temporarily, it may not be enough to tackle ingrained odors.
• Thirdhand Smoke: Even if smoking is moved to a designated outdoor area, smoke can still unknowingly be brought back inside through clothing and personal items, perpetuating the smoky environment indoors.

To mitigate these effects, consider smoking exclusively outside and investing in regular cleaning and air purification methods. This can help in reducing the residual smoke smell and maintaining a fresher indoor environment.

1.3. Result in Bond Deductions

Many landlords charge tenants for cleaning or restoration services when there is a smoke smell left in the rental property. If the odor persists after you’ve moved out, the landlord may deduct cleaning fees from your bond to cover the cost of professional smoke odor removal. Given the complex makeup of smoke, these services are often necessary to ensure a thorough clean-up.

The Importance of Emptying Ashtrays to Minimize Smoke Odors

Emptying ashtrays is a crucial step in combating the persistent smell of smoke in your home. Here’s why it’s important:

1. Prevent Accumulation of Odor-Causing Materials
   Cigarette butts and ash left in ashtrays continue to emit strong and unpleasant odors long after they’ve been extinguished. By routinely clearing out ashtrays, you directly reduce the source of these odors.
2. Improve Air Quality
   A room filled with the lingering stench of smoke can significantly decrease the overall air quality, making the environment less pleasant. Removing ashtray contents can help create a fresher, more breathable atmosphere.
3. Healthier Living Environment
   Beyond being unpleasant, smoke odors can harbor harmful chemicals that adversely affect health over time. By maintaining clean ashtrays, you take a proactive step toward a healthier living space.
4. Enhance Home Freshness
   A fresher-smelling home is more welcoming to both residents and visitors. Keeping ashtrays free of residue helps eliminate one of the common culprits of stale indoor air, thereby maintaining the home’s freshness.

By incorporating regular ashtray maintenance into your cleaning routine, you can effectively diminish unpleasant odors and enhance the overall atmosphere of your home.

Benefits of Professional Cleaning Services

Hiring experts like Dirt2Tidy comes with more than just sparkling floors.

• Saves Time: You focus on your move, we handle the mess.
• Healthier Environment: We eliminate hidden allergens and bacteria.
• Professional Results: We know what property managers look for.

Why choose Dirt2Tidy?

• Eco-friendly cleaning products – Safe for your family and pets.
• Trained, experienced staff – Skilled in end-of-lease requirements.
• Affordable pricing – Quality service without breaking the bank.

Experience the Dirt2Tidy difference! Click below to view our services.

📞 Call Now: 1300 789 178
🌐 Book Online: https://quote-now.dirt2tidy.com.au/

2. How to Detect Smoke Smell in the Property

Before you take action to remove smoke smell before moving out, it’s important to assess the extent of the problem. Sometimes, you may not even realize how strong the smell is until you’ve been away from the property for a while.

2.1. Do a Thorough Inspection

• Check the carpets and upholstery: These are the areas that absorb most of the smoke particles. Run your hand along fabric surfaces and see if there’s a lingering scent.
  
• Smell the walls: Smoke can permeate into walls and ceilings, especially in enclosed spaces. If the walls have absorbed smoke, the odor will likely linger.
  
• Examine the curtains and drapes: These can absorb smoke smells, especially if they’ve been near windows or doors that allow smoke to enter.
  
• Check ventilation systems: The ducts and filters in your HVAC system can trap smoke particles, which will continue to circulate the odor throughout the property.
  

2.2. Enlist Help

If you’re unsure whether the smoke smell is still lingering, ask a non-smoker or a friend who has not been in the property recently for their opinion. They may be able to detect odors you might have grown accustomed to.

Effective Habits to Eliminate Smoke Smells from Your Home

Dealing with persistent smoke odors can feel like a constant battle, but incorporating some straightforward habits can help you keep your living space fresh and inviting.

Ventilate Your Home

A great starting point is to allow fresh air to circulate by opening your windows regularly. This simple yet effective step helps in dispersing smoke particles, reducing their concentration indoors. Try to act swiftly once you detect smoke smell to prevent it from embedding into fabrics and furniture. However, while ventilation diminishes odors, addressing the root cause is crucial for completely eradicating the smell.

Regularly Clean Ashtrays

Ashtrays are notorious for harboring smoke odors. By emptying them frequently, you can significantly cut down on lingering cigarette scents in your home. Additionally, giving them a thorough wash with soap and water helps ensure that no residual smell sticks around longer than necessary.

Smoke Outdoors

To curtail smoke particles settling on indoor surfaces, make it a rule to only smoke outside. While this won’t completely eliminate the issue of smoke residue—which can cling to clothing—it’s a significant step towards reducing indoor smoke odor. By adopting these practical habits, you’re likely to experience a noticeable improvement in your home’s air quality.

3. Steps to Remove Smoke Smell Before Moving Out

Once you’ve identified where the smoke odor is strongest, here are some steps you can take to remove smoke smell before moving out:

3.1. Clean All Surfaces Thoroughly

One of the most important steps is to clean every surface in the property to remove smoke residue.

• Wipe down walls: Use a mixture of warm water and white vinegar, or a specialized smoke odor cleaner, to wipe down the walls. Don’t forget to tackle the ceiling and corners where smoke may have settled.
  
• Wash fabrics: Launder curtains, upholstery covers, and any other removable fabric surfaces. Use a fabric refresher spray to help eliminate lingering odors.
  
• Clean carpets and rugs: Rent or purchase a steam cleaner to clean carpets thoroughly. You can add a mixture of water and a small amount of white vinegar to the water tank to help neutralize odors.
  

3.2. Utilize Natural Deodorizers

Natural deodorizers can be a powerful ally in your battle against smoke smells. Consider these effective options:

• Coffee grounds: After brewing a cup, don’t discard the coffee grounds. Place them in bowls around your home to absorb odors, similar to baking soda. They can even be used in ashtrays to neutralize cigarette smoke.
• Baking soda: Place bowls of baking soda in areas with strong odors. It’s a natural deodorizer and can help absorb lingering smells.
• Activated charcoal: Like baking soda, activated charcoal is an excellent odor absorber. Place bags or bowls of charcoal in closets, rooms, and other areas where smoke might be concentrated.

3.3. Clean the HVAC System

If the smoke has circulated through your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, it’s important to clean it as well:

• Replace the air filters: Smoke particles can build up in the HVAC filters. Replacing them can significantly help improve air quality and remove lingering smoke odors.
• Clean the ducts: If you suspect smoke has gotten into the ducts, consider hiring a professional to clean the HVAC system and remove smoke residue from the air ducts.

3.4. Use Air Purifiers

Consider investing in an air purifier, particularly one with a HEPA filter, to help remove smoke particles from the air. While they are effective at capturing smoke particles, they work best when used in conjunction with other cleaning methods.

3.5. Deodorize the Property

After cleaning, it’s important to deodorize the space to ensure the smoke smell is fully eliminated.

• Baking soda: Place bowls of baking soda around the property, especially in the areas with strong odors. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and can help absorb lingering smells.
  
• Activated charcoal: Like baking soda, activated charcoal is an excellent odor absorber. Place bags or bowls of charcoal in closets, rooms, and other areas where smoke might be concentrated.
  
• Air purifiers: Consider investing in an air purifier, particularly one with a HEPA filter, to help remove smoke particles from the air. These devices work by using a fan and filter system to circulate air and trap pollutant particles. HEPA filters are particularly effective in capturing smoke particles, offering a cleaner breathing environment. However, it’s important to note that while air purifiers can significantly reduce smoke particles, they won’t completely eliminate smoky odors that have settled on surfaces. To effectively clear the smoke smell from your home, it’s recommended to use air purifiers alongside other cleaning methods. This combined approach ensures a more thorough removal of both smoke particles and lingering odors.
  
• Essential oils or commercial odor neutralizers: After using natural deodorizers, you may want to freshen up the space with an air freshener or essential oils. Choose neutral or light scents like lavender or lemon that won’t overpower the space.
  

3.6. Freshen the Upholstery and Curtains

• Dry cleaning: If your upholstery or curtains have absorbed the smoke, consider taking them to a professional cleaner that specializes in smoke damage. They can effectively remove odors and restore fabrics to their original state.
  
• Professional cleaning: If DIY methods don’t fully eliminate the smell, consider hiring a professional cleaning service that specializes in smoke odor removal. They have the tools and expertise to deep clean carpets, upholstery, and air systems.
  

How Does Airing Out Your House Help with Smoke Smells?

Opening your windows is a simple yet effective strategy for reducing smoke odors in your home. Fresh air circulation plays a crucial role in diluting and dispersing the smoky scent that tends to linger. By allowing outside air to flow through your living spaces, you can effectively lessen the intensity of the odor.

Benefits of Airing Out Your Home

• Dilution of Odors: Fresh air helps to dilute and carry away smoke particles, reducing their concentration indoors.
• Prevention of Absorption: Early ventilation prevents smoke from seeping into upholstery and fabrics, which can hold onto the smell.
• Promotes Healthier Indoor Air: Consistent air flow brings in oxygen-rich air, making your indoor environment more pleasant and breathable.

Quick Tips for Improved Ventilation

1. Identify Sources: If you know where the smoke originated, target those areas first.
2. Cross Ventilation: Open windows on opposite sides of your home to encourage a natural breeze.
3. Use Fans: Ceiling fans or portable fans can help push fresh air through the house quickly.

While airing out is an effective first step, it may not eliminate the odor entirely. For thorough removal, it’s important to identify and clean the origin of the smell along with using other deodorizing techniques.

Can Coffee Grounds Help in Absorbing Smoke Odors, and How Should They Be Used?

Absolutely, coffee grounds can be quite effective in neutralizing smoke odors within your home. Here’s how you can utilize them efficiently:

1. Brew and Reuse: Start with your daily coffee ritual. Brew a fresh cup of coffee, but instead of discarding the used coffee grounds, repurpose them as a natural odor eliminator.
2. Strategically Position: Dispense these used coffee grounds into small bowls and strategically place them throughout affected areas of your home. Much like baking soda, they work to absorb unpleasant smells.
3. Replace Regularly: If after a day the odor persists, swap out the old coffee grounds with fresh ones and continue the process until the smell dissipates.
4. Enhance Ashtrays: For smokers, adding coffee grounds to ashtrays can significantly aid in neutralizing the scent of cigarettes. This is particularly useful in fabric-heavy areas like living rooms with sofas and carpets.

By following these steps, you can harness the natural deodorizing power of coffee grounds to create a fresher-smelling environment.

How to Safely Use Ammonia to Remove Smoke Odors?

Ammonia is a powerful cleaning agent that’s often employed to tackle stubborn odors, like those caused by smoke. However, handling this chemical requires careful attention.

Safety Precautions

1. Protect Yourself: Always wear gloves and eye protection when working with ammonia. This prevents direct contact with skin and eyes, minimizing risk.
2. Ventilation is Key: Ensure the area you’re working in is well-ventilated. Open windows or use fans to circulate air, reducing inhalation risks.
3. Avoid Dangerous Mixtures: Never combine ammonia with bleach. This combination releases a toxic gas that can be harmful.

Mixing and Application

• Solution Preparation: Mix one cup of ammonia with approximately 3.5 liters (or nearly a gallon) of water. This dilution helps in safely applying the solution to fabrics.
• Spot Testing: Before wide application, test a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric. This ensures that the material won’t be damaged by the solution.

Usage Instructions

• Scrub Soft Surfaces: Use the prepared solution to clean items like curtains and rugs. Gently scrub to eliminate smoke odors.
• Dry Thoroughly: After cleaning, allow items to dry completely. Proper drying helps prevent mildew and ensures no residue is left behind.

Important Note

• Fabric Considerations: This solution is not suitable for use on delicate materials like wool or silk. Choose an alternative method for such fabrics.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively and safely use ammonia to clear smoke odors from your home.

4. Why Professional End of Lease Cleaning can Help

If you’re struggling to remove smoke smell before moving out, hiring a professional end of lease cleaning service can be a game-changer. Professional cleaners have the necessary expertise, equipment, and cleaning solutions to ensure that your rental property is in pristine condition for the final inspection.

4.1. Expert Odor Removal

Professional cleaners use specialized techniques and products to remove smoke odors from the property. They have industrial-grade equipment that can neutralize smoke particles and deodorize the space, ensuring that no trace of the smell remains.

4.2. Comprehensive Cleaning

End of lease cleaning services typically cover all areas of the property, including hidden spots where smoke may have settled, such as behind appliances, inside cabinets, and on vents. This thorough cleaning reduces the risk of smoke odors being detected during the final inspection.

4.3. Bond-Back Guarantee

Many professional cleaning companies offer a bond-back guarantee, meaning they will come back and re-clean the property if the landlord is not satisfied with the results. This ensures peace of mind that the smoke smell won’t be an issue.

Why Do Common Sprays or Room Fragrances Fail to Eliminate Smoke Smells?

Common sprays and room fragrances are popular solutions for tackling unpleasant odors. However, when it comes to smoke smells, they often fall short. Here’s why:

1. Masks Rather Than Eliminates: Most fragrances and sprays are designed to cover up odors temporarily. They work by overlaying a pleasant scent over the smell you want to eliminate. Unfortunately, this means that the underlying smoke odor remains intact and will resurface once the fragrance fades.
2. Ineffective Against Persistent Molecules: Smoke smells are particularly stubborn because they originate from small particles and tar molecules that cling to surfaces. Common sprays do not possess the chemical ability to neutralize or break down these particles, allowing the smell to linger.
3. Short-Term Solutions: The effects of sprays and fragrances are often short-lived. Once the scent dissipates, the smoke odor can return. This fleeting effect requires frequent reapplication, which can become inconvenient and costly over time.
4. Limited Surface Reach: Smoke particles can penetrate deep into fabrics and porous surfaces like curtains, carpets, and upholstery. Standard sprays generally do not penetrate these materials effectively, leaving deeper, embedded smells unaffected.

To tackle smoke odors, consider using products specifically formulated to neutralize and break down smoke particles, or invest in air purifiers with filters designed to trap and remove smoke molecules.

Why Choose Dirt2Tidy?

See how we stack up against the competition:

Feature	Dirt2Tidy ✅	Competitors ❌
Bond-back guarantee	✔️ Yes	✖️ Not always
Eco-friendly products	✔️ Yes	✖️ Often chemical-based
Trained staff with experience	✔️ Yes	✖️ Varies widely
Transparent pricing	✔️ No surprises	✖️ Hidden charges

Ready for a spotless home? Schedule your cleaning service with Dirt2Tidy today!

📞 Call Now: 1300 789 178
🌐 Book Online: https://quote-now.dirt2tidy.com.au/

Conclusion: Get Rid of the Smoke Smell and Secure Your Bond

A lingering smoke smell can be one of the most challenging issues to deal with during your move-out process. By following the steps above to remove smoke smell before moving out, you can significantly improve your chances of securing your bond refund. If the task seems too overwhelming or if you need extra help, professional end of lease cleaning services can handle it for you, ensuring that your rental is spotless and free of smoke odors.

Book your professional cleaning today and make sure your property is ready for inspection – smoke-free and spotless!