The short version
- What it is
- A sticky film of tar, nicotine and other smoke chemicals left on indoor surfaces after tobacco is smoked
- Why it smells
- The film slowly releases odor compounds back into the room, faster when surfaces warm up
- Where it is worst
- Ceilings, upper walls, fabrics, porous wood, carpet pad and the inside of the air system
- What does not fix it
- Opening windows, fragrance, candles, or a quick coat of ordinary paint
Secondhand smoke ends; thirdhand smoke stays
Secondhand smoke is what drifts through a room while someone is smoking. Thirdhand smoke is the name researchers gave to what is left behind afterward: particles and gases that settle onto walls, furniture, flooring and dust, then cling there. In a home where someone smoked indoors for years, that layer can be thick enough to see as a yellow-brown tint on white trim or a tacky feel on a light switch.
The residue is not inert. Nicotine and related compounds keep off-gassing, and public health researchers have reported that nicotine on surfaces can react with other indoor chemicals to form new compounds of concern. That is one reason pediatric groups advise keeping infants and toddlers, who crawl and put their hands in their mouths, away from heavily contaminated homes until cleanup is done.
For a buyer or heir in Cherry Creek, the practical meaning is simple: the house will keep smelling until the film itself is removed, sealed, or the material holding it is replaced.
Where residue concentrates, and why
- Location
- Ceilings and upper walls
- Why it collects there
- Warm smoke rises and cools against the highest surfaces
- How it usually shows
- Uneven tan or amber tint, darkest near a favorite chair
- Location
- Window glass and blinds
- Why it collects there
- Air moves toward windows and leaves film on cool glass
- How it usually shows
- Oily haze that smears when wiped
- Location
- Carpet, pad and rugs
- Why it collects there
- Fibers trap fallen ash and settled particles; pad soaks up spills and cleaning water
- How it usually shows
- Odor that spikes when the floor is warm or damp
- Location
- Upholstery and drapes
- Why it collects there
- Large fabric surface area acts like a filter
- How it usually shows
- Smell in the fabric even after the room is aired
- Location
- Unfinished wood
- Why it collects there
- Raw cabinet interiors, closet shelving and attic framing absorb odor
- How it usually shows
- Strong smell when a drawer or closet is opened
- Location
- Ducts, returns and the furnace cabinet
- Why it collects there
- The system recirculates smoky air for years
- How it usually shows
- Odor that rises when the blower runs
Typical hot spots in a home with years of indoor smoking
Questions to ask once you know what you are dealing with
Bring these to anyone you consider hiring for cleanup or treatment.
- Which surfaces will be cleaned directly, and which will only receive an airborne treatment?
- How will the inside of the ductwork and the furnace or air handler be handled?
- Which materials do you expect to recommend replacing rather than cleaning, and why?
- Will sealing with a primer be needed before paint, and which rooms?
- How will results be checked before painters or flooring installers come in?
Common questions
Is thirdhand smoke the same thing as the smell?
The smell is the most noticeable part of it. The residue itself is the source, which is why removing the residue, rather than masking the odor, is what makes the difference.
Can residue be present without a strong smell?
Yes. Some people become used to it, and dry winter air can make it less noticeable. A cloth wipe test on a ceiling or window usually shows it even when the nose does not.
General information for Cherry Creek, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.