How to clean the yellow on walls from smoking?

Question

I just quit smoking 2 months ago. The yellow stained walls are annoying me. The walls are white and painted with water based paint. Ideas??

Thanks in advance...

Answer 1

Are you ready? Easy Off Oven Cleaner....scout's honor

Answer 2

I've been going through the exact same thing lately and have been using a big bottle of Mean Grean Superstrength Cleaner and Degreaser (found at Wal-Mart....and elsewhere, I'm sure) and one of those big sponges. It takes a lot of spraying, which is why I got the big bottle, and the big sponge helps your hands from wearing out too quickly, and it covers more surface area, too. Spray on, let sit for a bit, scrub with the sponge, and then spray on again, wipe off with paper towels or a rag or something suitably absorbant. You'll be really grossed out as the cleaner drips down the walls, turning a dingy yellow the color of urine, but it's nice to have fresh, sparkling walls. You'll want to make sure you spray evenly and cover every bit of the walls. Otherwise, there'll be random streaks of clean mixed with dingy streaks. I haven't noticed any overt smells coming out anymore, though that could change. The cleaner's pretty strong stuff.

Repainting would be nice, but I live in an apartment, and there's only so much money I'm willing to put into a place I don't own myself (I'm not sure about your living situation, but anyway...).

Answer 3

Another vote for TSP: we used this on the walls and ceiling at my mom's house, and it worked very well,

However, washing the walls is a wet messy process, so take precautions: wear gloves and maybe even a rain slicker -- TSP is a little irritating to skin. Wear old shoes.

You don't want dirty runoff from the walls to discolor your furniture or floor, so get your furniture out of the way, cover it with plastic sheeting, cover the floor with plastic, etc.

We applied it with a sponge from one bucket, and rinsed it off with a wet sponge (water only) after about a minute. It was impressive how much better the walls and ceiling looked afterward.

Answer 4

I move in a place one time long ago and I could write my name on the wall they were so yellow. I use straight Lysol Considerated on a sponge. It looked like I had a new painted wall when I was done. Use a big bucket of hot or warm waterAnd rubber gloves. You have a big job ahead of you. Good luck.
Oh one more thing... Rinse real good and if you want to you can use a sponge mop and hand sponge the corners.

Answer 5

wear gloves, use sponge water and some bleach.
dont get on clothes or carpet.
for ceilings use a sponge mop.
Good for you to quit, youre gonna be so groosed out when you clean the walls, and grateful

and you cant repaint over it till its clean.the junk will eventually get thru the new paint.

Answer 6

Either scrub it off with 409 (which may streak it) or paint the walls.

If you decide to paint, be aware that tar stains will bleed through the paint, so you must first use KILZ on the walls for your primer before you paint them white again.

Answer 7

Simple Green

Answer 8

Water alone will do a great job without messing up your paint -- IF you use micro fiber towels or Mr. Clean Magic Eraser sponges (and refresh the water in your rinse bucket often.)

Answer 9

if your walls are white i wouldn't recomend using cleaner that has a color to it...use white vinegar or ammonia if you can stand it..also if it is flat finish instead of semi gloss don't rub hard or you'll take off paint...check your cloth early to see if this is happening..there will be heavier stains at the top..you'll notice more smoke odors, ect. ..i cleaned all my curtains too..congrats on quitting! and good luck!

Answer 10

re painting is your best bet. with killz, it will keep the tar and chemicals from seeping through the new paint.

also, if you reeeeally dont want to repaint (which you should for more reasons than the discoloration) you can try one of those mr clean erasers, ive never tried them for that, but they work really well on other things.

Answer 11

Tri Sodium Phosphate (marketed as TSP). The nicotine residue is oily and cannot be painted over successfully. And congratulations of your good decision.