How to Get Rid of the Cigarette Smoke Odours

One of the hardest things to deal with after beginning a cessation program is the smell of smoke. A study by the Mayo Clinic discovered the smell of cigarette smoke is the number one cause of relapses for smokers. As such, getting the smoke smell out clothing, furniture and other items is a top priority during a cessation program.
Clothing
Wash all clothing on the hottest cycle possible for the fabric. Make sure that clothing is sorted by colours to prevent bleeding. Regular laundry soap is not enough to get rid of smoke odours. In order to get the smoke smell completely out, add a half cup of iodized table salt and a half cup vinegar, in addition to laundry detergent. Once the wash finishes, repeat the process again with the salt, vinegar and detergent. Dry as normal.
Clothing that cannot be washed should be taken to the dry cleaner. It is important to remember to ask the cleaner to deodorize, as well as clean the garments.
Non-porous Surfaces
Getting the smoke smell out of hard surfaces, including counter tops and walls, takes a considerable amount of time. Figure out which non-painted surfaces can withstand chlorine bleach. Spray these with a mixture of one part bleach to ten parts water to get the smell out.
For non-painted surfaces that cannot withstand bleach, boil two quarts of water with one cup of iodized table salt. Let the mixture cool. Dip a towel in it and wipe off the counter tops. They may develop a haze when the mixture dries. This is from the salt. Just wipe off the hazy film with a clean, damp towel.
Porous Surfaces
Porous surfaces, such as wood, carpet and furniture, hold smoke smell longer than any other surfaces. Vinegar is the best weapon for these surfaces. In every room of the house, place a bowl of plain vinegar on a counter before leaving home for the day. When you return home, dump the vinegar out. The vinegar will absorb the smoky odours.
Another way to expedite the removal of the smell is to mist all surfaces with a mixture of one cup vinegar and ten parts water. Once the mist is dry, the vinegar smell will dissipate quickly, taking the cigarette smoke smell with it.