Smelling like smoke

[jojo489]

Okay all you wonderful people of allnurses, any tips or tricks here would be appreciated.

I used to smoke. I am a nurse. I know, how terrible that a nurse smoke when they know all the risks. But people are people and no matter how well educated make stupid decisions sometimes and I smoked long before I became a nurse. I know lots of nurses who smoke, I even know an oncologist who smokes. It happens.

Well I quit about two weeks ago (yay me) because...well let's see. It got too expensive, I wreaked like smoke all the time, I can't leave my unit at night without calling another one for a replacement, and oh yeah, my health.

I live at home with my parents for right now. I have aired out my room and given it a good dose of febreeze. When I do laundry, especially my scrubs, as soon as they come out of the dryer I'm running upstairs to hang them. And I even use softener, little washer sprinkles, and dryer sheets because I like yummy smelling clothes.

Now the problem....I live with two smokers who smoke in the house. Last night, I showered, went right upstairs, dressed, and was out the door in less than a minute after leaving my room. I had a resident ask me if I was a smoker because she could smell it! how can I manage to get outside without smelling like smoke without wrapping myself in Saran Wrap? Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

[caliotter3]

My bathroom and most of the rest of my apartment reeks of smoke, both stale and fresh, all the time from the smoker living upstairs. The smoke comes through the ventilation system. The property managers refuse to do anything about the problem. I have tried all the usual remedies to no avail and will move from the premises when able. I was not diagnosed with asthma until smoke from his apartment started inundating my apartment. The pulmonologist said that nothing can be done as long as I live in a smoke-filled environment.

[firstinfamily, RN]

Congrats on quitting smoking, probably one of the best things anyone can do to extend their life and remain healthy. Getting the smoke smell out of any fabrics, walls, etc. As others have mentioned living with the smokers is going to make everything smell like smoke. Funny, how that smell is more obvious now that you do not smoke! You should remove any ashtrays you might have had in your room. Getting the smoke smell out of the house is going to be hard with the smokers still there. Most likely the entire house could use new paint, carpets and window treatments to get rid of the smoke smell, kind of an expensive solution.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

As a non-smoker who grew up in a smoke-filled home, the only surefire way to ensure you never reek of cigarette smoke is to move out on your own.

Although you launder your clothes regularly, they will still contain a slight tobacco smell that nonsmokers with sensitive olfaction can easily detect. To rid your clothing of the smell for good, add a bottle of vinegar and a cup of baking soda to the pre-wash cycle and allow the clothing articles to soak. The acidity of vinegar neutralizes unpleasant odors, especially when mixed with baking soda, and it won't leave your clothes smelling like vinegar.

Once the clothing has soaked for a good 10 to 15 minutes in the vinegar and baking soda solution, wash the clothing using the regular or permanent press cycle, preferably with laundry detergent such as Gain that deodorizes.

[VampyrSlayer, CNA]

Also scrubbing the walls! When my hotel changed from smoking to non smoking they scrubbed the walls and the water was yellow dripping from the walls. Yikes!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Also scrubbing the walls! When my hotel changed from smoking to non smoking they scrubbed the walls and the water was yellow dripping from the walls. Yikes!

When my parents were moving out of the apartment where they lived for almost 10 years, the walls had a slight discoloration everywhere with the exception where pictures had been hanging. The sections of the walls behind the areas where pictures once hung were still crisp and white.

The apartment's drapes had a slight amber color and stains from years of exposure to tobacco smoke, but once they were professionally dry-cleaned, they became bright white once again.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Living with smokers means you will always smell like smoke. Perhaps your car still has a smoke smell as well? I agree with storing your scrubs at work if at possible. CONGRATS on quitting!!!!. It is not an easy thing to do.

[lunchboxRN]

Congrats on quitting smoking! After quitting, I was amazed at how much I must have smelled when I was a smoker judging from smelling other smokers.

Please be aware though that perfumed items do not cover anything up. They make it worse. There's nothing more stinky (to me) than a smoker with perfume on or other strong "good" smells. They add too, not mask odors. Also, many people are very sensitive to perfumed items.

[Sunflowerinsc, ADN, RN]

And do you drive to work and did you smoke in your car? I can always smell smoke on my clothing when I have ridden in a car of a friend who smokes .

[jojo489]

Thank you all for the support!

I actually bought a new car after I quit smoking and haven't smoked in it. Lol it still has some of that new car smell left. :)

I've pretty much come to terms with that, until I move out of my house with two smokers in it, I'll always have some remnant of that smell. But I am happy that recently I've gotten compliments on my perfume smelling nice, and a coworker mentioned that I very rarely smell like smoke anymore. So I'm doing something right, haha.

Again, thank you all for your support. *hugs*

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

Good for you on quitting!! I find that Lysol works wonders and well....

And an air purifier for your room, keep your door closed--and even a window cracked. Put fabric softener sheets in your drawers, and between your pairs of scrubs in your drawers. Keep your closet door closed. Spray the inside of your closet with Lysol, and close the door.

Or leave your house a little early, and change into scrubs at work. Keep all of your scrubs folded into a Ziploc bag with a fabric softener sheet, put them in your car. When you get to work, grab a bag and go. Don't leave anything in your locker you wear at work but your shoes--and be sure that you air out your locker as there may be some residual smell, and your bag may also smell of smoke.

Best wishes!