What Scent Helps With Cigarette Smoke?

The striking smell of cigarette smoke can linger in clothing, furniture, carpet and car upholstery. For diminishing or masking the odor, some scents work well, while others make matters worse.

Solution

• Lavender and vanilla are suitable scents for masking the smell of smoke. In the form of essential oil or extract, each of these can be mixed with water and baking soda to clean carpet or upholstery. For stubborn stains and windows that hold the smell, a vinegar-based solution can also be used.

Misconceptions

• Some people believe that their favorite perfume or cologne will do the job of masking the scent of cigarette smoke. By contrast, the fragrance notes can actually make the smell worse once they are combined with the smell of cigarettes.

Dangers

• The smell of cigarette smoke is of far less concern, and less consequence, than the chemicals that are in it. According to the National Cancer Institute, 50 out of the 250 harmful chemicals in tobacco are known to cause cancer.