How to Get Smoke Smell Out of Fireplace

What do you think of when you picture a fireplace? Is it warmth? Are you drawn to its heat? Do you conjure up images of the flames dancing across the firebox? The smell of smoke launching an assault mission on your nostrils when the fireplace is not being used probably doesn’t appear anywhere in your idealized version of enjoying a fireplace. This kind of stink invades your olfactory senses and just stays there, causing headaches and other unpleasant sensations. You certainly don’t want to be reminded that you have a fireplace when you aren’t actually using it. This guide will tell you who to get smoke smell out of fireplace so you can have your house back.


 

Since even the most thorough chimney cleaning job cannot possibly remove every single speck of soot and creosote buildup from its interior, you can expect to have some lingering aroma if you have a fireplace. That doesn’t mean the stink should be bad enough to case respiratory problems for you and your family, though. You should be able to use one of the solutions listed below to deal with the funk issue. If you are ever concerned about a smokey smell coming from your fireplace, don’t hesitate to contact a heating and air conditioning contractor to perform an inspection. It’s far better to be safe than sorry.

 

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How to Get Smoke Smell Out of Fireplace

1 Close the Damper

One way to get the smell of smoke out of your fireplace is to keep the damper closed when not in use.  This may solve the problem, but keep in mind that dampers can be quite leaky. This is a good first solution to the issue, though.

 

2 Install a Glass Firescreen

Try installing a glass fire screen to keep the smokey smell confined to the fireplace area. You will want to make sure the model you choose is a tight-fitting one. Keep in mind that if you decide to go with this option, you will be cutting down on the level of heated air coming out of the fireplace when it is in use.

 

3 Lava Rock Rescue

Place lava rocks inside the fireplace to absorb smokey smells. You can purchase them at Home Depot and some pet stores. They may be sold in a mesh bag. Remove the rocks from the bag before placing them in the fireplace.

 

The rocks can be reactivated by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Leave them on a table or a driveway in direct sunlight for a minimum of 24 hours. Replace them in your fireplace area and they will start bringing the smoke situation under control again.

 

4 OdoBan it Out

Go over the firebox area with a Shopvac to remove dust and dirt. Clean it with OdoBan. This product is available in a liquid or a spray, and can be bought at Sam’s Club, Walmart, The Home Depot, and Amazon.com. Choose the fragrance you like best and use as directed to tame the smell and get rid of the smell of smoke from your fireplace.

 

5 Vinegar the Smell Away

Place a pot of vinegar in the firebox and leave it for several days. Vinegar is a highly-effective product for absorbing odors of all kinds. If you have brick work around your fireplace, grab a large paint brush and “paint” it with some vinegar. Brick is very porous and may absorb some of the smokey smell. As it dries, the vinegary smell will dissipate.

 

Get Rid of Burnt Smell from Fireplace

1 Install a Chimney Balloon

In some cases the top damper may be bottling up the chimney at the top. Cool air from the outside finds its way into the house, bringing unpleasant smells with it. To combat this problem, install a chimney balloon above the old low metal damper frame so that the chimney will vent out the top.

 

2 Baking Soda to the Rescue

Start by vacuuming out the firebox thoroughly with a Shopvac. Take two boxes of baking soda and sprinkle the contents against the firebox floor and walls. Coat everything thoroughly. You can spritz the area with water first if you finding it hard to get the baking soda to stick to the walls. Leave it for at least 48 hours. Remove the baking soda with a ShopVac. The smell should be gone.


 
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Published by

Joe Fresh

Joe is an odor combatant, chemistry extraordinaire and all around good guy. He has an over-productive olfactory system with absolutely zero tolerance for unpleasant aromas.

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