How To Get Pot Smell Out Of House FAST
So, you just had a chill session, but now your whole house smells like a hotbox. Maybe your roommate's coming home. Maybe your parents are visiting. Or maybe you just don’t want your place smelling like a dispensary all the time.
Whatever the reason, you’re here because you need that weed smell gone. Fast.
Good news? It’s totally doable. You don’t need a professional cleaning crew or one of those fancy air purifiers that cost as much as rent.
With some quick action and a few common household items, you can totally clear the air.
In this post, I’ll show you how to get pot smell out of the house quickly and painlessly.
#1 Air Out Your House
First things first: open every window you can.
Front door, back door, windows, even your closet if it doesn’t smell too funky already. Let the breeze work its magic. Air circulation is your best friend right now.
If you’ve got a fan, turn it on and point it toward the windows.
Or better yet, set up one fan blowing air out the window and another pulling fresh air in.
This step alone can do a ton to clear that smell, especially if it hasn’t been sitting around too long. Weed smoke hangs in the air, so the faster you push it out, the better.
Also Read: Attic Smell In House
#2 Clean All Surfaces
Even after the air smells better, that stubborn scent can cling to surfaces. Tables, counters, walls and even stuff like light switches and cabinet doors.
You’d be surprised where odor molecules love to hide.
Grab your go-to cleaner and wipe everything down.
If you’re in a pinch, a simple mix of vinegar and water works wonders. Bonus: vinegar itself smells strong at first, but it fades fast and helps neutralize other odors.
Don’t forget:
TV remotes
Door handles
Mirrors
Windowsills
If you smoked in the bathroom (bold move), wipe down tiles and fixtures too. Weed smoke can cling to steam and settle on surfaces in a weird way.
Get in there with a cloth and show it who’s boss!
#3 Wash Fabrics And Upholstery
This is where the pot smell really likes to linger. Couches, curtains, blankets, pillows, rugs. Even your clothes if you were wearing that one hoodie you always wear when you light up.
Toss whatever you can into the laundry.
Also Read: Sour Smell In Clothes
Use a good detergent and, if possible, hang-dry stuff outside for that fresh air boost.
For things that can’t be washed easily (like the couch), sprinkle some baking soda over it, wait a bit, and then vacuum it up. Baking soda is a champ at pulling out odors.
For curtains or fabric that can’t go in the wash, try a fabric spray or even a steam cleaner if you’ve got one lying around.
You don’t need to scrub your whole house - just focus on the things that trap scent the most.
#4 Use Natural Odor Absorbers
Once you've aired out the space and cleaned everything you can, it's time to bring in the reinforcements. Natural odor absorbers will cover up the smell and they help neutralize it.
The best part is that you probably already have some of these at home, and they work quietly in the background while you go about your day.
Here are some of the things I recommend:
Set out bowls of baking soda in rooms that still smell
Place activated charcoal bags near furniture or in corners
Leave out a dish of coffee grounds on the counter or near the entryway
Try white vinegar in an open bowl to pull odors from the air
You can also crumple up newspaper and leave it in musty drawers or cabinets overnight
#5 Refresh Your HVAC
If you’ve got central air or heating, your HVAC system might be recirculating that skunky smell like it’s a remix on repeat. So give it a quick refresh.
Start by changing out the air filters.
Seriously, those things trap all kinds of stuff, and smoke is no exception. A clean filter means cleaner air. You might even notice your house just feels fresher afterward.
If you can access the intake vent, give it a wipe-down, too. And while you're at it, pop an essential oil–infused cotton ball near the vent.
Every time the system kicks on, you’ll get a little burst of fresh scent instead of… weed.
Also Read: How To Get Smells Out Of Wood Furniture
#6 Simmer Citrus Peels
Okay, here’s a trick that smells AMAZING and works surprisingly well.
Grab some citrus peels - oranges, lemons, limes, whatever you’ve got. Throw them in a pot with water and let it simmer on the stove.
Within minutes, your kitchen will smell like a spa. The steam helps neutralize odors in the air, and citrus has that fresh, clean vibe that instantly drowns out weed funk.
You can toss in cinnamon sticks or cloves if you’re feeling fancy.
Leave it simmering for about 20 - 30 minutes, but keep an eye on it so it doesn’t boil dry.
Trust me, you’ll love this one.
#7 Use Essential Oil
Essential oils are kind of like nature’s Febreze, but better.
They don’t just cover up smells, they can actually break them down in the air (depending on the oil). And the variety of scents is endless.
You can:
Add a few drops to a diffuser and let it run
Mix with water in a spray bottle and spritz around
Add a drop or two to your air filter for a fresh scent boost
Some of the best ones for getting rid of the pot smell in house are lemon, lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, and tea tree. They’re strong without being overpowering and make your house smell clean and intentional AND not like you’re trying to hide anything.
Why Does Weed Smell Stick Around?
Pot smell isn’t like regular smoke. It’s louder. Stronger. And a bit clingier.
That scent comes from terpenes which are the natural compounds found in cannabis (and other plants). These terpenes are oily and sticky, so they love to attach to soft surfaces, walls, fabrics, and even dust.
Once they settle in, it’s not just a matter of opening a window. They hang out, soak into stuff, and take their sweet time fading.
That’s why spraying Febreze or lighting a candle isn’t always enough.
It masks the smell for a bit, but the terpenes are still chilling in your couch cushions.
Also, if you smoke indoors regularly, the smell builds up over time. Even if you don’t notice it anymore, someone walking in for the first time definitely will.
Bottom Line
Getting that pot smell out of your house does take a little effort. You need to act fast and air out the house, clean it up, absorb what’s left, and add some fresh scent on top.
If you leave it sitting, the smell sets in. But if you open a window, wipe down the counters, and light a citrus candle right after, it’s like it never happened.
So next time you light up, just plan ahead. Crack a window, burn a candle, or smoke near a fan.
And if things get stanky, no worries, now you know how to get rid of weed smells fast.
Your nose (and your guests) will thank you.