I'm moving into an apartment where a smoker lived, what do I do to get the smoke smell out?

Answer 1

Sprinkle a liberal amount of baking soda on the carpets. Let it sit overnight and vacuum up in the morning. It absorbs the odor.

Answer 2

Clean, clean, clean. That's the only way I know of. Buy yourself (or rent) one of those hand steamers that will melt the nicotine off the walls & ceilings. It is time consuming, but the steamer is easier on your hands & arms than doing it the old fashioned way! I don't envy you this messy job! Been there! You'll also have to use a deodorizer/sanitizer added to the solution in the carpet cleaner, if you choose go that far. Doing all this will eliminate the odor & the return rate will be less when you turn on the heat in the winter. Nicotine is known for bleeding through paint & "dripping" onto your clean walls. If someone has ever incorrectly prepped & painted a nicotine stained room, it will return unless the walls are cleaned & SEALED before putting on a new coat of paint!

Answer 3

Paint everything to get the stink out also put open baking soda boxes everywhere. Remove all carpets or try throwing baking soda all over them, let it stand for a long while and vacuum. Go to the hardware store and ask them if they have the bags of pellets that remove odors from a residence. Good luck it's a hard job. Smokers don't realize how disgusting their houses smell. They get used to it.

Answer 4

You don't need to paint unless it needs painting because of ugly color or hasn't been painted in awhile . Wash down the walls and ceilings with a pine cleaner or use vinegar and warm water . That will get rid of the smoke discoloration and the smell . Easy and doesn't cost much ..

Answer 5

I just bought a can of primer that guarantees that it seals odors. If you need to, prime & paint. That may not be necessary. Carpet cleaning, Febreze and simply washing the walls should do. Wallpaper can get stinky though and it never will smell right again, so I would recommend removing it & painting. Save all your receipts to give to your landlord. Good luck.

Answer 6

a 'paint called ; Kilz it is a heavy solids paint ;that covers up just about anything; ask about it at the paint store or hardware store; spray the walls with a cleanser first to cut the film of tar or else the the paint wont stick as good as it should. there are a lot of cleansers out there ;like 401 is good. the paint store clerk will set you up the info whats good,

Answer 7

Wash the walls down with pinesol, shampoo carpet, wash kitchen cabinets, then put one teaspoon of vanilla in 1 cup of water and slo simmer on the stove,

Answer 8

There is a special fogger made for these hard to get rid of smells.
There is only one place I know you can get it Osborne Paper Co.
of Joplin, Mo. I have used these for years, it can eliminate any
odor. 1 can does many square feet. hope this helps.

Answer 9

Vacuum the carpet with baking soda and then febreeze the entire apartment.

Answer 10

You may want to try washing all surfaces with a vinegar solution