The Impact Of Smoke Odour On Your Property

CONTENTS

• The health risks of second-hand smoke
• The health risks of third-hand smoke
• Thei mpact of smoke odours on property sales
• Sprays and scents
• Our cigarette smoke odour removal services
• Get in touch

We all know how unpleasant stale cigarette smoke can be. But were you aware that the chemicals in old smoke could actually be harmful to your family’s health?

At ICE Cleaning, we want to alert you to the dangers posed not just by passive smoking, but also by third-hand smoke. That’s the name given to the noxious residues that linger in your home long after any cigarettes have been extinguished.

Read on to find out more, and discover how professional odour removal services can get rid of the smell from your home so you can breathe freely once again.

The health risks of second-hand smoke

Smoking carries with it serious health risks.

If you’re in a smoky environment, or near someone who’s smoking, you’ll be breathing in thousands of chemicals that can increase your likelihood of developing diseases such as cancer, bronchitis and pneumonia. If you have asthma, it can aggravate your condition.

This is known as passive smoking, or inhaling second-hand smoke. It’s the main reason why smoking in cars with young passengers, on public transport, or indoors in public buildings is now against the law. 

Children are particularly at risk, as their bodies are still developing. Plus, they breathe faster, so take in more of the smoke-filled air.

Smoking can also have a detrimental effect on our pets. Smoke can seep into fur, and is swallowed when the animal grooms itself, posing a risk to cats especially.

Did you know that the toxins in cigarette smoke can dissolve in fish tanks? And pet birds have particularly sensitive respiratory tracts, meaning they are likely to become distressed if you smoke nearby. If you leave cigarette butts in ashtrays, make sure they’re out of reach from inquisitive paws, to reduce the risk of fire in your home.

Our professional smoke odour removal services use non-abrasive and non-toxic chemicals alongside the latest deep-cleaning tools, so you can be sure any unpleasant odours will be neutralised.

The health risks of third-hand smoke

You may not have heard of ‘third-hand smoke’, which lingers for a long time afterwards. It’s the noxious residue that’s left behind by cigarette smoke, seeping into fabrics and sticking to exteriors – even children’s toys.

This residue can react with other substances in the air to create new compounds, some of which can cause cancer.

One study by scientists at the University of York found that children are particularly at risk to this third-hand smoke. Dr Jacqueline Hamilton stated that this was "through contact with surfaces and dust contaminated with residual smoke gases and particles."

Think how young children crawl around, then put their hands in their mouths, and you’ll understand why they’re at greater risk. Plus, their bodies are less able to cope with the harmful effects.

Even if you don’t smoke in your home, you can bring smoke particles inside on your clothes or in your hair.

Whatever the cause of smoke odours in your home, with our professional smoke and cigarette smoke odour removal services, we can get your property smelling fresh once again.

The impact of smoke odours on property sales

It’s not just your health that could suffer from smoke odours in your home. The actual value of your property could be affected, too. 

No matter where the smoke odours came from originally - cigarettes or a house fire - the smell that hangs around could well see you losing money on your investment if you come to sell.

If you’ve lived in the property for a long time, you may have become used to the odour - so much so that it might go unnoticed. But when you open the door to visitors, they will be able to detect it almost immediately.

That smell of smoke can be off-putting for potential buyers, making your property harder to sell.

If you do get an interested buyer, they may offer well below the asking price. Estimates vary, but it’s pretty certain that smoke smells can knock thousands off the market value.

At ICE Cleaning, we’d be pleased to assess your property and give you a free, no-obligation quote for smoke or cigarette smoke odour removal services.

Sprays and scents

To hide smoke odours, some people will turn to shop-bought sprays but these won’t tackle the underlying issue - the smoke particles themselves.

Airing your home will certainly help clear any clouds of smoke. But it won’t have much of an effect on the stale odour, which is caused by noxious residue.

Spraying or using other home scents, such as candles, will only mask the smell. That third-hand smoke will still be coating your furniture and surfaces.

Cleaning is the first step to getting rid of any residue – but can you really give your house the deep clean, top to bottom, that it needs? Have you thought about all the places that smoke can settle, such as light fittings? And do you know how to tackle the task safely?

When it comes to cleaning up harmful smoke residue, it’s best to leave it to the experts, who have specialist knowledge and equipment. After all, tobacco toxins can contain carcinogens and heavy metals that normal, domestic cleaning won’t budge.

Our cigarette smoke odour removal services

If you’re looking to freshen up your home, sell your property, or clean a house that used to be occupied by a smoker, we have the solution.

We have teams nationwide with the experience and expertise needed to eliminate all smoke and tobacco odours from your home, making it a pleasant place to live.

We use the latest deep cleaning technology and non-toxic and non-abrasive products to decontaminate surfaces and give your home the thorough refresh it requires.

Get in touch

Contact us now on enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk or 0208 066 0360 to arrange a no-obligation visit and quote from one of our qualified technicians. The cost of the odour removal service will be determined by the size of your property.

We’re available around the clock, including bank holidays, so just book us at a time that suits you. We pride ourselves on our customer service - read our Google reviews today.