I'm living on the top floor of my condo, and my unit shares a wall with my neighbor's kitchen. They smoke at least 10 cigarettes every evening from 5 to 10 p.m., and the smell really gets into my place. It's mostly concentrated in the kitchen, where I can't seem to escape the odor. I've already taken a few steps: I installed a Pura air freshener that helps a bit, and I bought an air purifier with a smoke filter that runs full time, but neither completely eliminates the smell. I'm also considering sealing up any holes or gaps under my kitchen cabinets where the smoke might be coming through. Does anyone have recommendations on what else I can do? Would plugging those gaps actually help?
4 Answers
One effective solution could be to use a window fan. When the weather permits, set it to blow air into your kitchen to create positive pressure, which can help keep the smoke out. If it’s too hot or cold, a standing fan could work too—just aim it from another room. And consider adding some curtains to block off the area if it’s an open entry.
You might be pulling in smoke through your kitchen fan or wall outlets. Try cracking a window slightly when you run the fan. Also, definitely go ahead and seal those gaps under the cabinets. Spray foam works wonders for this. You could ask at your local hardware store about using expanding foam. Plus, they have insulation kits for outlets that can help block odors too.
I don’t really have a fix, but if it’s bad, consider moving as soon as you can! And don’t be afraid to confront your neighbor about it—sometimes being upfront can push them to change their habits. Also, an ozone generator might help mask the smell, but use it cautiously and never while you’re home.
Check if there are any condo association rules about smoking indoors. It might be worth reaching out to them. Although, it's possible that simply moving the smoker outside might not solve your problem, since they may just end up puffing near the building anyway. Smokers can be pretty inconsiderate.
No kidding! People who smoke indoors in shared spaces are the worst. It might be worth mentioning to the association!
Yeah, unfortunately there’s no guarantee that smoking outside will help—sometimes it can make it worse if the wind blows the smoke back toward your unit.