Experiencing a fire in your home or business can be overwhelming.
Even after the flames are extinguished and the damage is cleared away, one problem often remains: the smell of smoke. This odour is more than just unpleasant. It can make a safe building feel unlivable and can linger for months unless treated properly.
At Vinci Response, we support clients across the UK with professional fire and smoke damage restoration.
In this article, we explain why smoke odours are so difficult to remove, what you can try yourself, and when expert support is the best option.
Why Smoke Smells Linger
Many people assume that opening a few windows will be enough to clear the air. Unfortunately, smoke odours are much more complex. During a fire, materials rarely burn completely. This process produces what are known as products of incomplete combustion (PICs), tiny particles and complex gases that are released when fuel is only partially consumed.
PICs are extremely small and easily absorbed into porous materials such as carpets, plaster, wood and upholstery. Once embedded, they continue to release unpleasant odours long after the fire has been extinguished. Ventilation systems can make matters worse by drawing these particles into ducts and spreading them throughout the property. Moisture from firefighting efforts can also trap odours more deeply in surfaces.
Because PICs are both microscopic and chemically complex, simple cleaning methods are rarely enough to neutralise them. Without professional intervention, the smell of smoke will often persist for months or even years.
First Steps You Can Take To Remove Smoke Smells
While professional restoration is the most reliable solution, there are steps you can take straight away to reduce smoke odours.
Ventilate the Property
Once the property is safe, open as many windows and doors as possible to let in fresh air. Placing fans throughout the building will help to move smoky air outside. Treating one room at a time makes the process more effective.
Use Positive Pressure
For stronger odours, positive pressure can be useful. Place a large fan at the entrance facing into the property. Keep all interior doors closed, apart from the room you are working on. Run the fan for fifteen minutes, then close that room and move on to the next. This method pushes contaminated air outside and helps speed up recovery.
Clean Surfaces and Windows
Smoke particles settle on almost every surface. Clean hard surfaces, glass and mirrors with a mixture of warm water, mild detergent and white vinegar. This breaks down residue and helps to neutralise odours without damaging most materials.
Treat Carpets and Upholstery
Soft furnishings are especially prone to absorbing smoke. Baking soda can help by drawing odours out of carpets and upholstery. Simply apply it, leave it for several hours, and then vacuum thoroughly. Steam cleaning may also be effective, but should be used with care on delicate fabrics such as leather or silk.
Replace Filters in Ventilation Systems
If your home or business has an air conditioning or HVAC system, smoke may be circulating through it. Replace the filters immediately and arrange an inspection if you suspect that the system itself has been affected.
When DIY Methods Are Not Enough
Home remedies often provide temporary relief but rarely remove smoke odours completely. If particles are embedded deep within walls, flooring or furniture, specialist treatment is the only way to stop the smell from returning.
Items that are badly contaminated with soot may also require replacement. Attempting to clean them yourself can cause further damage. This is why professional odour removal services are often the safest option.
Professional Smoke Odour Removal
At Vinci Response, we use advanced methods to remove smoke odours safely and permanently.
Our teams apply specialist cleaning solutions, thermal fogging and ozone treatment to neutralise particles at their source. This restores clean air throughout the building and prevents odours from returning.
Every situation is different. Our technicians adapt their approach to the size of the property, the type of materials involved and the level of damage. We also provide wider restoration support, including soot and ash cleaning, to make sure your property is fully safe to occupy again.
Contact Vinci Response Today
If you are still struggling with smoke odours after a fire, do not wait for the problem to go away. Professional intervention is often the only way to fully restore your property.
Vinci Response provides nationwide fire and smoke damage restoration for homeowners, landlords, businesses and insurers. Our team works quickly, discreetly and with safety as the top priority.
If you would like to find out how Vinci Response can help you remediate a property following a fire, tap on the links below to find out more about services:
You can contact our expert team by calling 02045 868 148 or by emailing [email protected].
FAQs About Smoke Odour Removal
Without treatment, smoke odours can last for months or even years. They do not fade naturally in porous materials such as fabric, wood and plaster.
Basic cleaning and ventilation can help reduce odours, but they are rarely enough to remove them completely. Professional methods are needed for lasting results.
Yes. Vinci Response follows strict health and safety procedures and uses industry-approved techniques to restore clean air.
Not always. Many items can be cleaned and restored. However, in severe cases, replacement may be the only practical option.
