Mother with COPD coming to visit. How can I clean the house so she won't have problems?

Honestly, if you and SO smoke and vape inside the house, the house is contaminated in carpet, paint, vents, etc. You would be better off having her stay nearby and one of you stay with her. Depending on how severe it is, you could set off an asthma attack. This is one of the reasons hotels insist on no smoking rooms that are not used by smokers - you can't clear it out quickly and easily for a sensitive person.

Smoke is one of the triggers that my lungd can't handle at all. You will never be able to clean your house enough. In addition to everything freqflyer already said, you would need to have all your clothes cleaned. The smoke will get into clean clothes even if the closet and drawers are closed. And then there's you. I can't be around people who smoke because it seeps into their hair and skin.
But you also need to think about the cleaning process itself. The chemicals used can also set off breathing issues. Detergents, shampoos, soaps, they all have scents in them since consumers don't think things are clean unless they "smell clean".
You would be far better off having your mother star in a hotel and not coming to your house. You could stay at the hotel with her but you need to clean everything you bring with you and stop smoking for the duration of the visit.
And note: Vaping is the same as smoking from the standpoint of someone with copd.

Consider your own future as a smoker. When you develop hea]lth problems like COPD, do you want others to have to go through all this just to see you? Quit smoking and use the money to buy long term care insurance.

I do not know how you would decontaminate the house, there is probabky tears of smoke on the walls and everything. Is there somewhere else mom can stay? Does she require assistance? If she can travel, she may be fine alone somewhere else. She must be bringing meds and oxygen? Make sure she has enough meds to take her through her visit. Or, if she will be staying, make sure you have doctors lined up. Many assisted living facilities have respite rooms that may be the best option for mom.

Stop smoking! Stop smoking. There is nothing you can do to remove the nicotine smell from walls (unless you paint with no odor paint, and even then not good for COPD). Have your mother stay elsewhere. You will only endanger her condition further.

No connection between vaping and disease huh? That's what they said about smoking in the beginning too. I agree with ferris...putting a foreign substance...read CHEMICALS...into your lungs is not good for you, period. If you want to argue about its causal link to cancer and COPD and who knows what brand new diseases it could create go right ahead...but common sense knows better. The long term studies on vaping will come...10 years from now or so...and by then it will be too late. Stop now...or reduce your life span.

As far as mom with COPD...I would agree with some of the others that if she is spending a long time (two weeks?) in your home that she will experience problems....Mainly from the carpets, drapes, sofa, the soft fabrics. You should be able to wash the walls and surfaces before she comes..vinegar is a good choice as it will cut through that yellow goo smoking leaves on surfaces. Could you maybe rent a carpet cleaner before she comes? Using an enzyme cleaner on the carpet will definitely help, as well as washing the drapes. Don't use chemicals like febreeze to mask the odor...as febreeze has Teflon in it...that's even worse than smoking chemicals. Good luck.

Angel

Relwood wrote: "As far as you house goes clear the carpets, drapes, bedding then air your house out and stop smoking in house or near any opening. As long as your mother isn't breathing in an smoke she should be fine. "

I take it you don't have smoke allergies, or sensitivity to smoke? If you did, you'd know that people who are sensitive can detect the lingering stench of smoke, including from odors absorbed onto walls and into furniture.

I agree with GardenArtist. I know of people with COPD who smoke when not using oxygen. It is the smoke that could harm her, not the odors or residues. I would shampoo the rugs if possible at very least clean with a good strong vacuum. Then wash all curtains and drapes. If you also wash the walls then all the odors will be gone too. The best thing you can do is not smoke inside while she is there. I don't think the vaping inside will cause her any harm because it isn't smoke and doesn't fill the air like second hand smoke from a burning cigarette does. Also keep her away from BBQ or any other type of smoke.

My best friends aunt just died of copd. She did not smoke. Lived alone for years. But the house she lived in for the past 20 years had belonged to smokers. Even though it had been cleaned weekly all these years smoke can still be detected. My friend days it is there when you open the front door. When the ac comes on. When a closet is opened. If ac is off for extended time ( she had been in hospice

I did also mean to add that I'm sure that seeing your mother is very important to both of you. I applaud you for being aware and wanting to do what you can to make her visit a success and to protect her health. While the answers make it sound next to impossible you can make things better. You've been given many suggestions that hopefully will at least reduce the toxins. Perhaps she can also take extra precautions by wearing a high quality mask. I know nothing about these masks but I'm sure you can research and find what is best. Also I wonder if it will help if you try to get out of doors with her? Depending on your environment or her overall health but perhaps there are parks where you can have picnics. Gardens you can visit. Restaurants that are non smoking. Things that enable her to breath cleaner air. Limit the time in your car ( if you smoke in your car) or in spaces in the home where you usually smoked. Perhaps you have a patio where you can visit. Perhaps an air filter for her room? Perhaps you can accept the challenge to stop smoking for the duration of your moms life so she and you can visit often. If that's too hard maybe a visit to the dr to find out what you can do to help. I know there are aids in the big box stores. Perhaps your SO has some ideas to help you stop. Let us know what works for you. I'm glad you asked the question as it might help others who are in the same boat. Many of us don't realize how our habits affect others today and into the future. I know it's not easy to quit and I'm sure you are well aware that it's the best thing you can do for your own health.
1. Stop contaminating now.
2. Clean with non toxic cleaners.
3. Limit exposure to contaminated areas.
4. Check out masks and filters.
5. Plan for cleaner air outings.
6. Get professional help.
I hope you have a great visit.