Candles

Neutralise, do not mask

An ordinary scented candle layers fragrance over smoke smell and you end up with both. Smoke odour candles use enzymes and odour-binding agents that react with the airborne particles instead of covering them. Light one at the start of a session rather than after, so it is working while the smoke is in the air.

Personal air filters

A personal air filter (sploof) is the other half of the job. You exhale through it and the activated carbon inside traps the smoke before it reaches the room. Most are good for a few hundred exhales; the filter is spent when the airflow stiffens or the smell starts coming through.

Getting more out of a candle

On the first burn, let the melt pool reach the full width of the jar before putting it out — otherwise the candle tunnels and you lose most of the wax. Trim the wick to about 5mm before every light to stop soot. Burn for no more than four hours at a stretch, and keep it away from draughts so it burns evenly.

Also worth doing

Empty the ashtray while it is cold, crack a window for cross-flow, and keep soft furnishings out of the direct path of the smoke. Those three habits do more than any product.

How long do smoke odour candles last?

Typically 40–80 hours depending on jar size.

Do they work on old smell in fabric?

Partly. Set-in smell in curtains or upholstery needs washing, not a candle.