My carpet/ house smells like smoke. how do i get rid of it?

Question

I just moved into a new house... the carpet and house smells like smoke. the previous renters were heavy smoker and wow the house SMELLLSSS ..because of the smoke the carpet looks so dull also. but I really want to get rid of all the smell. its so bad. the owners tried so hard to take it out but there is still alot left. please help! thankyou

Answer 1

I don't know what to do about the carpet, but replacing it seems like the LAST option (as that's expensive). Try carpet fresh and a vacuum, then move up to shampooing the crap out of it.

Wash the walls and ceiling. Use TSP, and/or pine-scented cleaner. When I wash the walls and ceiling in my apartment I use either a sponge mop (not a Sponge Bob!) or one of those roll-o-matics. If the ceilings are proving particularly onerous I'll get on a ladder and use an old t-shirt and rub hard (remember to wear rubber gloves).

Also, I get on my hands and knees and scrub the baseboards. I even use an old toothbrush to get into the corners. That may be a bit extreme, but it looks and smells better and I feel great when it's all done (and no, I don't do that every week).

Let us know what worked, and good luck!

Answer 2

Call Stanley Steemer or another carpet cleaning company to clean the carpets again. It's cooling down a bit now so open the windows and let the house "breath" fresh air. If the carpet cleaning doesn't work ask the owners if they are willing to replace the carpets and clean out the air ducts. Kilz paint primmer works a little. Before painting wash the walls with a vinegar or baking soda solution. Both of those are natural deodorizers. If they previous renters had lived there for quite a few years the odors have penetrated deeper into the drywall and will take time to air out. Burn plenty of candles, incense, or use plug in air fresheners. Good luck.

Answer 3

I just recently quit smoking and I removed my carpets because of the smell.
I f you rent a carpet cleaner you might try some baking soda added to the solution.
Chances are the smell has soaked into the walls as well. Did the owners paint the walls after the last tenants? That could help some. And does it have drapes and were they cleaned?
I really never knew had bad it smelled until I quit. Now I cannot stand it!

Answer 4

You need to buy or preferably rent an ozonater. This is what they use in hotel rooms sometimes to take out the odors. A medium sized ozonator costs about $800 and should do the whole house in about 6-8 hours. All people and animals will have to clear out while it is running. Renting is better, as it might take 3 or 4 days of repeated attempts to get it completely cleared out.
You should also shampoo the carpets.

Answer 5

I get rid of the smell of smoke by burning a candle. Scented ones are nice but any old one works for me. If this doesn't do it make sure that your walls, curtains and carpet are clean. Try wiping down the walls with vinegar water and spraying the carpet with vinegar water. Then burn some more candles! Good luck!

Answer 6

Try spraying Fabreeze, that stuff works wonders and wash the walls with Pinesol, but unless you prime and paint and clean the carpet, you will have the smell for a long time. The nicotine gets on the walls and even when you paint it can bleed through unless the walls are primed first. Good luck.

Answer 7

This might sound weird but put a large bowl of water with two cap fulls of ammonia in the center of each room and let it set for 48 hours. If that does not work get a steam cleaner for the carpet and wash the walls and everything else with bleach and water.

Answer 8

Professional carpet steamers are your only defense on the carpet. Wipe down all the walls with vinegar water and make sure all curtains/blinds are cleaned well. Wipe down the windows really well too, tar sticks to them.
Get some smoker's candles and burn those until you have everything cleaned up.

Answer 9

I really think you should get all the drapes and window treatments cleaned. also get a professional carpet cleaning service in there. They know what they are doing. Also it isnt that expensive to get a professional cleaning business in there and scrub the walls down and clean evertything up. spend some money on plug in air fresheners and put them in every room. maybe keep the windows open while they are cleaning to let out some of the bad smell. good luck!

Answer 10

Have professionals come in and give it a deep, deep cleaning. The smoke is in your carpet, in the paint and cabinetry, everywhere and will thus always remain until you have it removed. Once you move in it will get into your possessions as well, your furniture, your clothing, everything.