Can I just leave my door open then let smell go off?

That's a reasonable thought, but simply leaving your door open probably won't get rid of cigarette or vape smell effectively, and it could create new problems.

Let's break down why.

Why leaving the door open alone isn't a good solution

Smoke particles stick to surfaces – Cigarette and vape residue isn't just floating in the air. It settles on walls, carpets, furniture, and ceilings. Opening a door removes some airborne smell, but the odor will keep coming back from those surfaces until they're cleaned.

Still air needs a cross‑breeze – If you only open one door (e.g., your apartment door to the hallway), there's no airflow path. Smelly air will drift out slowly at best. You need air entering from another opening (window, balcony door) to create a cross‑breeze that pushes smoke out.

Hallway air might be worse – If you open your apartment door into a shared hallway, you're just moving smoke into a common area. That can:

Annoy neighbors

Violate your lease (many buildings prohibit smoking in hallways)

Cause smoke to drift into other apartments

Security & pests – An open door is an invitation for insects, rodents, or unwanted visitors. Also, if you leave while the door is open, your belongings aren't safe.

What works much better

If you want to air out your apartment quickly and safely:

Open windows + door – Create a strong cross‑breeze. Put a fan in a window facing out to pull smoke outside.

Use a window fan – Two fans work best: one blowing in, one blowing out.

Close your apartment door – Keep smoke from spreading to hallways or other units. Instead, ventilate through windows only.

Quick recap from earlier advice

Even with good ventilation, you'll still need to:

Clean surfaces (walls, floors, fabrics)

Use odor absorbers (baking soda, vinegar, activated charcoal)

Consider an air purifier with a carbon filter for long‑term freshness

Bottom line

Leaving your door open is not a reliable or neighbor‑friendly way to remove smoke smell. Open windows instead – and if possible, create a cross‑breeze with a fan. Then deep clean the room to tackle the smell at its source.