How To Purify Air In Home From Smoke (7 Common Ways)

Home Tips

We all know the harmful effects of tobacco smoke on our health; It is one of the leading causes of laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, and chronic bronchitis. Therefore, it is essential to buy an air purifier to purify the air from indoor smoke and remove it from the interior walls and furniture.

Today, we will cover 6 common methods and tips on how to purify air in home from smoke. So, without further ado, let’s solve it now!

7 Ways To Purify Air In Home from Smoke

1. Increase Ventilation

We do not recommend opening the windows as this can allow polluted outdoor air to enter your living space. Instead, it is a good idea to install trickle vents to cycle and purify indoor air. In addition, you can use exhaust fans as a perfect alternative to carrying pollutants outside.

In addition to smoking, cooking is one of the leading causes of indoor air pollution, especially if you regularly use a gas stove. According to scientists, cooking a meal on a gas stove can produce levels of nitrogen dioxide. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it is not safe to breathe

2. Using Beeswax Candles

This type of candle acts as a natural air purifier. Beeswax candles, no doubt, are the perfect pick for ionizing the air, minimizing harmful compounds and other contaminants.

These candles produce no scent or smoke when burned; They help remove common allergens from the air. They are also particularly suitable for patients with asthma.

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We do not recommend using petroleum-based paraffin candles to improve the air quality at your home as they can release soot, toluene, and benzene into the air.

3. Using Salt Lamps

Like beeswax candles, salt lamps are also another great natural solution for purifying the air in your home from smoke. According to scientists, salt crystals can reduce airborne pathogens, allergens, and irritants.

Adding a Himalayan pink salt lamp on your desk or living room is a great thing both in terms of aesthetics and function.

Also, it is possible to leave this lamp overnight in your bedroom. Don’t worry! Its natural orange light does not disturb your sleep.

Note: Salt lamp improve air purification much more when it is enabled. In addition, it also works well when turned off.

4. Using Houseplants

A Nasa study has shown that houseplants can purify and rejuvenate the air in our workplaces and homes. Furthermore, they can protect you from the harmful effects of common toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, and ammonia.

In general, supplementing with houseplants is one of the great solutions to combat the effects of indoor pollution. They are also the perfect pick for families with members suffering from certain respiratory illnesses.

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In terms of application, you should have at least one tree per 100 square feet for the best air filtration efficiency. Some recommended options are:

  • Broadleaf Palm  or Lady Palm  (adaptable  but prefers indirect light)
  • Peace Lily (Prefers moderate sunlight)

5. Using Activated Charcoal

It is a good idea to use activated carbon (also known as active carbon) to purify indoor air. It comes with great features in removing toxins from the air, such as: 

  • Odorless 
  • Highly absorbent

On the other hand, bamboo charcoal is another excellent pick to purify the air at home naturally.

6. Using Essential Oils

According to the results of many studies, essential oils can control xylene and carbon monoxide. Specifically, according to studies from Weber State University, thieves oil can kill bacteria in the air up to 99.96%. Therefore, it is wise to add it to detergents and soaps to keep the air in your home fresher and cleaner.

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Here are some commonly used essential oils:

  • Cinnamon oils
  • Oregano  oils
  • Rosemary oils
  • Thyme oils
  • Grape oils
  • Lemon oils
  • Clove oils
  • Tea tree oil

7. Using Air Purifiers

An air purifier is a perfect pick to reduce the smell of smoke in the home. While an air purifier can be quite an expensive investment, it is well worth the money. We recommend the one specifically designed for tobacco smoke with an activated charcoal filter and HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter.

As mentioned above, it can effectively absorb the smell of tobacco. Also, the HEPA filter allows air to pass through a fine mesh to trap particulates from tobacco smoke & allergens.

Besides the HEPA filter, there are many other important factors such as CADR, coverage area, and the air purification technologies that you should look for in an air purifier. Make sure you do a complete research so you can buy the best air purifier for the home.

See more: How to make DIY air filter for wildfire smoke.

How To Clean Our Walls And Furnishings To Purify The Air From Smoke?

After purifying the indoor air using the above methods, it is time to remove the nicotine and secondhand smoke that coats walls, carpets, and furniture.

1. Clean Residue from Carpets

You will need a vacuum with a HEPA filter and a box of baking soda to clean the carpet. Start by sprinkling baking soda all over the carpet and let it sit overnight. The following day, use your vacuum cleaner to suck up the baking soda. If this solution does not work, it is best to seek help from a professional carpet cleaning company.

2. Clean Residue off Walls

You can use the following simple concoction to clean your walls:

Step 1: Mix 1/4 cup baking soda,  1/2 cup vinegar, and 1 cup ammonia in a gallon bucket of hot water.

Step 2: Use a sponge to rub the mixture all over the walls to remove nicotine stains and odors.

3. Clean the Residue off Fabrics

The simplest way is to throw the fabric in the washing machine and add a cup of vinegar to the washing water. Also, it is possible to use a specialized detergent like Tide Plus.

Bottom Lines

We hope that this article has given you a comprehensive look at how to purify air in home from smoke and you will have the right decision to buy an air purifier. You can refer here to find information about the supplier. Most of the solutions mentioned above are easy to implement, but their effect is awe-inspiring. In general, they are suitable for smoke removal for almost all households.