Expert: Sijka - 11/29/2008

Question
HI....I hope you can help.  Recently I had a problem with my chimney flue and my entire little house FILLED with smoke.  I have had windows and doors open for parts of days but it is chilly here at this time of year so I can't leave the windows open for more than 4 hours at a time and definitely not at night....any suggestions for getting rid of the remaining smokey smell?  with much gratitude!

Answer
Hi Deidre,
   Turn on the ac/heating fans so they are going all the time.  Be sure you have a really good filter on your furnace-one of the accordian-like ones is great!  That will get the air circulating.  
  If you have air-purifiers-not the ionic ones-but the circulating air type-put them on at full force 24 hrs a day.  If you don't look into renting one or two--ones that are designed for after fire air clean-up.  Put some fresh squeezed lemon juice and a drop or two of lavendar in small dishes all around the house, especially by the heating vents.
 You may have to wash down all your walls, light fixtures, cabinets and clean the upholstery too.  That smoke really permiates everything.

 You may want to look at your insurance policy and see if the smoke damage is covered under it.  If so let them get a company in and clean everything.

Sijka