How to Get Smoke Smell Out of Furniture (Couches, Wood, Leather and Mattresses)

Furniture is one of the hardest things to get smoke smell out of, because it is large, soft and full of padding. The good news is that many pieces can be saved. Nashville Fire Removal Pros can connect you with a local provider for contents cleaning and pack-out in Nashville when a piece needs more than home cleaning.

This guide is general information. Check the manufacturer's care tag, test every cleaner on a hidden spot, and wear gloves.

Why furniture holds smoke smell

Smoke particles settle into fabric fibers, foam cushions, batting and the open grain of wood. Oklahoma State University Extension notes that furniture and mattresses may need professional cleaning because odor sinks so deep.

Different materials hold smell in different ways:

How to get smoke smell out of furniture: first steps for every piece

1. Don't sit on it or rub it. Pressure pushes soot deeper into fabric.
2. Move it outside or to a fresh room. Fresh air and a light breeze start pulling odor out. Keep it out of direct rain.
3. Remove loose soot gently. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter and hold the nozzle just above the surface. Avoid brush attachments on fabric, since they can grind soot in.
4. Photograph it first. Your insurer may want to see smoke-damaged furniture before it is cleaned.
5. Clean by material. Use the steps below for fabric, wood or leather.
6. Set out odor absorbers. Bowls of baking soda or activated charcoal near the piece, in a closed room, help soak up lingering smell.

How to get smoke smell out of a couch

Fabric couches take the most work. Follow this order:

1. Vacuum. Go over every surface, seam and crevice with a HEPA vacuum. Remove cushions and vacuum underneath.
2. Use baking soda. Sprinkle a generous layer over the fabric, leave it for several hours or overnight, then vacuum it up.
3. Check the care code. Look for the cleaning code on the tag. "W" means water-based cleaner is OK, "S" means solvent only, "W/S" means either, and "X" means vacuum only.
4. Steam-clean if the fabric allows. Utah State University Extension notes that steam melts the tar and neutralizes the odor and carbon film left by smoke.
5. Wash removable covers. Only if the tag says they are washable. Air-dry, don't machine-dry.
6. Dry it fully. Run fans and keep the room ventilated. Damp upholstery can grow mold, especially in humid weather.

Avoid odor-masking sprays. Utah State University Extension says they cover up the problem and don't last.

How to get smoke smell out of wood furniture

Wood furniture is often the easiest to save, especially if it has a sealed finish.

1. Dust off soot. Use a dry microfiber cloth or a HEPA vacuum with a soft attachment.
2. Wipe with a mild cleaner. Use a cloth barely dampened with mild soap and water or diluted white vinegar. Don't soak the wood.
3. Dry right away. Wipe each section dry so water doesn't damage the finish.
4. Air out drawers and backs. Pull out drawers and leave them open. Unfinished wood inside drawers and on the back often holds the most smell.
5. Use odor absorbers inside. Put an open box of baking soda or a bowl of activated charcoal in drawers for a few days.
6. Refinish or seal if needed. If the smell stays, refinishing or a clear sealer can lock in the remaining odor. Ask a furniture refinisher before treating antiques.

How to get smoke smell out of leather furniture

Leather needs gentle care. Too much water or a harsh cleaner can crack or stain it.

1. Wipe with a damp cloth. The Red Cross recommends wiping leather goods with a damp cloth, then a dry cloth.
2. Dry away from heat. Let the leather air-dry out of direct sun and away from heaters.
3. Clean with a leather cleaner. Use a product made for leather, or saddle soap once the piece is dry.
4. Condition it. A leather conditioner keeps it from drying out after cleaning.
5. Air it out. Remove cushions so air reaches every side.

If the leather is heavily sooted or the smell won't go away, a professional leather or contents cleaner is the safer choice.

How to get smoke smell out of a mattress

Mattresses are hard to clean because odor sinks deep into the foam.

• Vacuum both sides with a HEPA vacuum.
• Cover it with baking soda, leave it for several hours, then vacuum again.
• Air it out in a dry, ventilated room.
• Consider professional steam cleaning. Utah State University Extension lists steam as a way to deodorize mattresses after smoke.

Replace a mattress that was soaked by firefighting water or heavily smoked. Wet foam can grow mold, and heavy smoke is hard to remove from deep layers.

Do ozone treatments work on furniture?

Restoration providers sometimes use ozone in an empty room or a closed chamber to deodorize furniture. Oklahoma State University Extension warns homeowners not to run ozone generators themselves. The EPA says no federal agency has approved ozone generators for use where people are present, and ozone can irritate the lungs. If ozone is used, it should be run by a professional with everyone, including pets and plants, out of the space.

When to clean furniture and when to replace it

Smoke-damaged furniture and insurance

Smoke damage from a sudden fire is usually covered under the personal property part of a homeowners or renters policy. Before you clean or throw anything out:

• Photograph each piece.
• List it on your contents inventory with brand, age and approximate value.
• Ask your adjuster whether they want to inspect before cleaning.
• Keep receipts for cleaning supplies and professional cleaning.

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance advises documenting damage before anything is moved or cleaned.

How to prevent smoke smell in furniture

• Don't smoke indoors. Smoke film builds up on fabric and wood over time.
• Close doors during a fire. Rooms behind closed doors usually get far less smoke.
• Move furniture out quickly after a fire. Smoke keeps soaking in while it sits in a smoky house.
• Run the HVAC with a fresh filter only after the ducts are checked.

Local note: Furniture faces different risks across the metro. Large homes in Brentwood often hold antiques and high-value upholstery worth professional care. Lakeside homes in Hendersonville deal with humidity that slows drying and brings odor back. Apartments in Antioch can take in smoke from a neighbor's fire.

Related reading: Treat the whole house with how to get smoke smell out of a house, wash your fabrics with how to get smoke smell out of clothes, and decide what to keep with what to throw away after smoke damage. For claim help, read what is considered smoke damage.

When should you call a contents cleaning professional?

Call a contents cleaning provider when:

• Furniture has visible soot or the smell survives home cleaning.
• The fabric tag says "S" or "X" and can't be cleaned with water.
• You have antiques, leather or high-value pieces.
• Many pieces need cleaning, inventory and storage while the house is repaired.

Smoke-damaged furniture in Nashville? Call (615) 458-0921 to reach a local contents cleaning provider.

Smoke smell in furniture questions