How To Get Rid Of Smoke Smell In Garage?

Is your garage smelling like smoke? Whether you’ve just had a fire in your garage or an innocent bonfire nearby – or perhaps have been smoking some cigarettes in the garage – you probably already know that the smell of smoke can be difficult to remove. In this blog post, we’re going to share some tips on how to get rid of the smoke smell in your garage – regardless of the source.

What Absorbs the Smell of Smoke?

It’s easy for the smell of smoke to settle into wood, carpet, and even cardboard boxes that are left sitting in a garage. Whether the smell of smoke is from cigarettes, a recent fire, cooking on the grill, or even car exhaust, there are a few steps you can take to eliminate the odors in your space for good. 

But is it necessary? The short answer – yes. You need to take immediate action if your garage smells like smoke. No matter the source of the smoke or how it got into your garage it can cause minor to serious health issues, like headaches, a runny nose, and eye irritation. 

There are some steps to help you get rid of a smoke smell in your garage.

Find the Source of the Smoke Smell

There’s no point in trying to get rid of a smoke smell before you’ve actually eliminated the source of the odor – so if you don’t already know where the smell is coming from, take the time to identify this first. 

If it’s a barbeque grill that’s causing an issue, move the grill or at least keep your garage door closed when you are grilling. If it’s an older smell that’s somehow contained in cardboard boxes, replace those boxes.

Plastic containers tend to be a better alternative and as an added bonus, they’ll also keep insects and rodents out of your belongings. 

Ventilate the Area

Next, get some air moving. You can open the windows and, of course, the garage door, to help get fresh air moving inside the space. 

Set Up Some Fans

If you can, set up a few fans to push the smoke out of the garage. Point these so that the airflow is directed outside of the space. 

Create a Paste

Next, you can make a paste out of a variety of materials that will help absorb any lingering odors. 

A baking soda paste is one such option. To make this kind of paste, combine a teaspoon of water with an ounce of baking soda then apply it to the exposed wood. This paste will pull the smoky smell out of the wood as well as any other kind of porous material in the garage. 

You can also set up containers of certain ingredients that are meant to contain odors. For example, undiluted white vinegar can be used to get rid of foul odors, as can activated charcoal or even clean kitty litter.

They’ll help manage smells in the garage and, as long as you replace them regularly, can get rid of bad smells without you even having to lift a finger.

Try an Ozone Generator

Ozone generators can be costly but if you know a contractor or can hire this service out it might be worth your money. Ozone generators will work for a few days to get into every crack and crevice in the walls and eliminate the smell of smoke. 

See if this is an option by researching local providers in your area. 

Clean Any Linens and Upholstery

If the smoke smell has permeated your entire garage, you may need to take more drastic measures. Disinfect and deodorize all window coverings, carpets, upholstered furniture, mattresses, window treatments, or upholstery that you have stored in your garage. 

Repaint 

In some cases, using a paste made out of baking soda or other odor-stopping materials just isn’t practical – there might be far too much surface area for the paste to be effective.

If that’s the case, you may need to take more drastic measures. Repainting the entire garage might be a good idea. You can use a paint that is designed specifically for this, like an odor-eliminating paint product. 

You may even want to go so far as to lacquer any wooden benches or tables that are in the garage. This can prevent a smoke smell from adhering to the wood. 

Make a DIY Odor Neutralizer

When in doubt, consider whipping up a batch of your own homemade DIY odor neutralizers. These can help to get rid of the smell of smoke anywhere in your home that’s problematic – including in the garage.

Watch this video for more tips on how to make one:

How Do You Get Cigarette Smell Out of Concrete?

For the most part, the tips listed above should help you get cigarette smells out of just about any surface.

However, concrete can sometimes be a bit tricky to work with, so you’ll have to take extra steps to get rid of the odors.

One good method is to use a solution of white vinegar mixed with water.

1. Use two cups of white vinegar for one cup of water, mix it well, then apply it to the floor.
2. Scrub with a tough brush.
3. The smell may grow stronger as you treat the floor, but it should help soak up some of the cigarette smells.

There are also heavy duty cleaners you can use, like trisodium phosphate. Usually, aggressive treatments like these aren’t necessary but they can be helpful at getting rid of stubborn odors.

Does Smoke Smell Ever Go Away? 

It can be tough to get rid of a smoke smell, especially if the smoke is from a large-scale event like a house fire. 

Airing out your home from an event like this can be tricky and while you might grow used to the smell over time, it’s unlikely that, without taking some of the steps above, you’re going to have a hard time getting rid of the smell. Burning scented candles or using perfumed aerosols will only mask the smell of smoke – and not get rid of it.

Ventilation can help as can using things like baking soda and vinegar. 

If you’re looking for a way to get rid of the smoke smell in your garage, consider these tips. While each method may have its own drawbacks, hopefully, one of these solutions will help you get rid of the smoke smell and restore your garage to its former fresh-smelling glory.