How to Get Rid of the Smoke Smell When Using Woodburning Stoves

Remove cold ashes from your wood stove immediately to an outdoor ash bin. Ashes are a concentrated source of odor, so removing them regularly helps control the smoke smell.

Pour undiluted white vinegar into small decorative dishes and bowls. Add activated charcoal to larger decorative containers. Place the containers around the room in inconspicuous locations. Both white vinegar and activated charcoal absorb unpleasant odors.

Sprinkle baking soda onto carpets and upholstered furniture – preferably at night – and vacuum it in the morning. Baking soda absorbs some smoke “grease” and eliminates odor, leaving a fresh smell.

Wash curtains more often than usual if you have washable curtains anywhere near your wood stove. Not only does this help eliminate the smoke smell, it will make your curtains last longer, since greasy smoke residue build up weakens fabric threads.

Spray upholstered furniture, drapes, curtains and carpeting with commercial odor eliminators such as Odor Ban or Fabreze to control the smell of smoke.

Use a simple homemade cleaning solution and deodorizer spray. Mix 1 tbsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. lemon juice and 2 cups water in a pump spray bottle to clean walls, upholstery, windows, mirrors and glassware. In larger batches you can also use it to clean carpets. Alternatively, use equal amounts of white vinegar and water.