Does Smoking Ruin Interior Decorations?

[jillygirl]

You have probably heard countless warnings about how cigarette smoke is hazardous to your health, as well as to the health of people around you due to second-hand smoke. The human body is not the only thing to which cigarette smoke can be damaging. Smoking inside your home poses a threat not only to the people living inside, but to your interior decor, as well.

Stains

•Nicotine build-up can ruin many things with which it comes into contact. You can identify nicotine stains as a yellowish-brown coloring that will coat any area that smoke frequently contacts over time. Look at the ceiling, walls, curtains and wall art near any area where a smoker spends a lot of time, and you'll notice the discoloration over time. You can wash fabrics frequently to keep nicotine stains from setting, however, the wear and tear from constant washing will wear them out more quickly. You can also try painting walls or ceilings where nicotine builds up, but since nicotine is water-soluble, heavy stains can bleed through water-based paint coats. Any items that are not washable may be beyond repair.

Smoke

•Smoking doesn't only ruin the look of your home decor, but it can also ruin it with the smell of smoke. Anything porous can absorb cigarette odor, which only gets worse with more smoking done in the house. Art canvas, fabrics, rugs, mattresses, cushions and even walls can become tainted with the scent of smoke. You may not notice it, but a non-smoker will detect it immediately on entering your home. You can try to mask the smell with room deodorizers, but it won't last long. Some products -- such as baking soda, vinegar and chemical cleaners -- may be able to permanently lift out the scent, but there is no guarantee they will work. Much will depend upon the material and how much smoke has been absorbed over time.

Ashes and Burns

•Because you are dealing with a small, slow-burning object and an open container full of ash, it is almost inevitable that accidents will happen. Dropping a lit cigarette or burning embers can cause scorch marks or burn holes in rugs, tables, counters, upholstery, tablecloths, blankets and pillow cases. Besides the fact that this can be highly dangerous, the ugly marks left behind can be hard to hide and may be irreparable. Even without a lit cigarette, a full ashtray that falls on pale carpeting or upholstery can result in ugly, smelly gray stains.

Solutions

•Quitting smoking is not only good for your health, but good for your home decor. Eliminate the habit and you'll find your home looking cleaner and smelling fresher with the passage of time. If you just aren't ready to kick the habit, you can still employ a no-smoking rule in the house. Set up a table and chair outside on your porch or right by the

•back door, and make it the designated smoking area. This can not only keep the smoke out of your house but might encourage you to cut down. At the very least, if you must smoke in your home, consider investing in a smokeless ashtray. It may not be as effective as eliminating indoor smoking, but it can decrease the rate of damage.

[Hidden]

Aww, yes and don't forget poor little animals suffer from second hand smoke too, something I don't think we realise when we smoke. Oh and computers too. They suck in the smoke through the air intake. I saw the inside of a computer once from a heavy smokers house where all 3 people used to sit in the same room to smoke. Ugh, it was horrible inside, all brown and smelly.

[jillygirl Administrator LONG TERM WINNER in reply to Hidden]

Too true Sinfree, I remember posting pics of the computers etc. will have a rummage around and see if I can find them again.

[jillygirl Administrator LONG TERM WINNER in reply to Hidden]

Do you understand how your smoking may be affecting your pets? By Emjay.

Some of you remember the following blog I posted a few months back now. However, further studies show that your pet dog may be smoking up to 15 cigarettes each day! Please see the following news article for further information;

heraldscotland.com/news...

In case you missed our post, here it is again;

Secondhand smoke and your pets;

Did you know….?

There are over 4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke and over 60 of these are known to cause cancer.

Having the choice to frequently leave the house and breathe fresh air may not be something that most of our beloved pets have. They often have little chance to step outside and escape all of these hazardous toxins.

Air pollution is 8 times higher in homes where smoking is permitted.

Secondhand smoke can cause a number of health problems in our beloved pets.

These can include;

•Respiratory infections and asthma

•Oral cancer and lymphoma in cats

•Lung and nasal cancer in dogs

•Lung cancer in birds

Animals don’t just inhale smoke, the smoke particles are also trapped in their fur and ingested when they groom themselves with their tongues.

Dogs

Dogs have a 60% chance of developing lung cancer in smoking households.

Have increased risk of cancer in the nose or sinus area. Long nosed dogs are twice as likely to develop nasal cancer.

Cats

Cats whose owners smoke are three times more likely to develop lymphoma, the most common feline cancer.

If two people living in the house smoke, the cats were four times more likely to contract the cancer.

Birds

Birds that are exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to develop serious problems such as lung cancer as well as other respiratory problems like coughing and wheezing.

Birds cannot filter the air that they breathe in, causing smoke to become trapped which blackens their lungs and can lead to pneumonia and secondary infections.

Tobacco smoke can lead to itching and poor quality feathers. Parrots will often attempt to remove poor feathers by plucking.

What can you do?

Homes should be Smokefree for people and pets. If anyone smokes in the home ask them to go outside. To prevent poisoning, put away cigarettes and butts.

Don’t smoke in other people’s homes

So..... Does smoking affect your pets?.......

It certainly does

[jillygirl Administrator LONG TERM WINNER]

To see damage done to pcs go to this web site.

ryansccs.hubpages.com/hub/H...