Whats the best way to get the smell of tobacco smoke out of a house?

Question

My Grandmom's house reaks of smoke, and shes trying to sell it. Whats the best way to get the smoke out? Help!

Answer 1

1) wash everything made of fabric--drapes, upholstery, cushions,jackets and coats hanging in front closet,granny's bedding.
2) steam clean the carpets
3) its a lot of work but youve gotta wash all the walls and ceilings cuz theres no way you'll get rid of the smell without doing it--use TSP.
4)make sure granny does not have even one more cigarette til the house is sold otherwise all your work will be for nothing.
5)just before showing the house--sprinkle the carpets with baking soda--leave for 1 hour--then vacuum.
6)make sure that as many windows are open as is possible during the times your showing the home.
7)during the showing, have something baking in the oven and have a very strong pot of coffee brewing in a pot on the stove (set on simmer)
8) paint at least a few walls of the house.
9) dont go overboard with heavily scented lemon or chemically smelling products--this smell bothers people as much as smoke does.

Answer 2

Many say that small dishes of vinegar left in the effected rooms will help clear the smell.

Cleaning everything will help too, as nicotine tends to stick to any and all surfaces.

Fabreeze and the like help, too, but keep in mind it will take a whole lot of airing the place out to really notice a difference. Deep cleaning carpets, washing drapes, etc will be a plus as well.

And while you are at it, there is likely nicotine throughout the ventilation system and the smoke smell is in there good. A simple frequent filter change should help, and some filters come with a coating of baking soda, so that may help too.

Good luck and happy selling. If you conquer that smell there may well be more money to be made on the house.

Cheers

Answer 3

open all the windows and doors -- wash the carpet and the walls -- that should to it.

Try using eucalyptus or Cinnamon.

Sprinkle Cinnamon and baking soda all over the carpet -- let it set over night -- vacuum up the next day. Wash the curtains or take them down and let them hang on a clothes line for a day or two. Wash all floors with ammonia. Dust your baseboards and furniture with some pretty smelling cleaner.

Do these things in the last paragraph and it should help with the smell.
Good luck.

Answer 4

If she had central air in the house, it will be very difficult to get the smell out. Also, if she has been smoking for several years inside the house, smoke particles have been absorbed by the house itself - in the carpet, in the walls, in the ceiling, etc.

The smell can be alleviated somewhat by new paint (which locks the smell in), replacing the carpet, etc., but it is difficult to get rid of the smell completely.

I had been helping my aunt and uncle rebuilt their house which was built back in the 1920s. They aren't smokers, but when we knocked down a wall, we were overcome with the smell of cigarettes - the interior insulation was stained yellow from the years of smoking inside the house.

Answer 5

It will take A LOT of work. . . . .
1). Open the windows to air it out.
2). Wash all of the window treatments, windows, walls, floors. Everything.
3). Put out bowls of vinegar (I know it sounds gross and smelly but it helps absorb smoke odor - do this AFTER you clean).
4). Use Febreez
5). Glade scented candles are wonderful.
6). Buy an air purifier. They are awesome.

Good luck, it's a tough job. Tell Granny to quit the cancer sticks.

Answer 6

Get the carpets professionally cleaned, and maybe the furniture (even though she is taking the furniture with her, it may still contribute to the smoke smell). Any carpets and comforters that can be machine washed, wash them. Use lots of frebreze (sp?), or some spray that eliminates smoke odors. And make sure she doesn't smoke in the house anymore....lol....sorry had to throw that one in there.

Answer 7

If you can get your hands on an ozone machine, you can get rid of this smell in just 6 hours. They are small units, and often can be rented from carpet cleaning companies. You will have to be out of the house for the procedure, but it is as simple as turning on a switch.

Answer 8

Replace the entire carpet and draperies. Paint the walls. That's the best way. Too expensive? Paint one wall in each room. The paint smell will hide the odor, however you can't hide smoke odor from a non-smoker's nose, without trumping it with a stronger smell. Paint is my recommendation.

Answer 9

Get some air freshner, or live the doors and windows open for a while. Wash your curtain and most important thing stop smoking remember Smoking is dangerous to your health and peoples around you....Thats all.

Answer 10

Stop Smoking in the House!

Get a professional cleaner to do the walls, floors, everything.