"Activated charcoal is usually created from coconut shells, but you’ll find it on ingredient lists like bamboo coal. Due to its adsorptive properties, it was first used as an antidote for poisonings and overdoses. The best cleaner to remove smoke odor from walls can be found in the form of activated charcoal. It binds with the chemicals that make up smoke and removes them from the air, making your home a much healthier place."

Activated charcoal works well because its tiny pores create a large surface area. They can capture more things than many other types of materials. Plus, these pores are just the right size for getting into crevices and hard-to-reach places where smoke has settled.

We've aired our house out as much as possible in Winter. We've done baking soda, vinegar, and Fabreeze (both air spray & fabric spray); on top of washing everything we can reach with plain soap and water. Now, we've added little bags of activated charcoal all over the house to try to trap the smoke odor. We're also still putting soft goods (that can be picked up and moved) outside to air out in sun & fresh air. Plus, not putting them back until the smoke odor is gone. Instead of decorating for Christmas, the cleanup goes on.

It's amazing how a very small kitchen fire can cause such really big problems.