Is it possible to get the smell of cigarette smoke out of a mobile home, and if so how long would it take?

Question

What cleaning supplies would you recommend using and are there any particularly tough spots that many people would miss. I don't mind the smell so much but my wife doesn't appreciate it at all. Thanks for any suggestions.

Answer 1

Cigarette smoke is very gross and hard to completely remove.
It can be done, though.
First, buy 3-4 gallons of vinegar. Cleaning or replacing the carpets with a vinegar/water solution will really get rid of the smoke smell. You can also leave small bowls or pans of straight vinegar in each room of the house for 24-48 hrs and that will remove the worst of it. Then, paint over any cabinets, walls, etc with fresh paint, and leave the windows open as weather permits. No major chemicals are involved in this method, and I guarantee that it works.
Good luck.

Answer 2

We dealt with this problem in an older mobile home my son bought. The ceiling was nearly orange from the cigarette smoke. We removed all the carpents and recarpeted the floors as much of the smell is in soft fibers. That helped a lot. But the panelled walls, cupbards and ceiling all needed to be cleaned thoroughly. We used Super Clean, available by the gallon at Walmart in the automotive dept. It is a very strong de greaser. It disolves the tar residue. After cleaning thoroughly you can paint the ceiling. You will be amazed at the difference. Good luck, and happy cleaning!

Answer 3

I am currently living in a smoked in mobile home and I can't stand the smell either.
You are going to need to shampoo the carpets for starters. After it dries you may still have to use some arm&hammer carpet powder.
On the walls and all other permanent sufaces, I use bleach and hot water, or diluted mr.clean. I dilute it so it lasts longer and it works just as well. I get the orange stuff from Dollar General for $2. I use this on my carpet stains too.
This is a part that most people tend to miss... If you have the plastic strips or flowers on your ceiling, (In older mobile homes) the magic eraser works wonders. In newer mobiles this also works well for marks on the walls or counter tops. Don't forget that smoke smell is on EverY surface of your home so you have to get it all even if you can't see it.
To keep it smelling good after all this:
Fabreeze your material, wash your cutains, use furniture polish, and don't let people smoke in there. (lol)

Answer 4

Better idea - Someone else mentioned charcoal. I have the perfect product that I've used for years and know dozens of other people that use it. It is a product called FRIDGE IT odor absorbers. It is a little purple cube with an incredible activated carbon filter inside that is really, really, great. It works so much better than baking soda and all those sprays and fragrances that just cover up smells and doesn't get rid of them. Also, alot of sprays have warning statements about being eye irritant. The carbon literally absorbs and eliminates the odors and works for a long time. Just place a few around problem areas.. I use this product everywhere including car (for smoke), storage, closets, my fridge and also under sinks, near trash and have friends that use it on cat litter box and also diaper pails - it's that good. I really recommend it. You can buy it in kitchen gadget sections in stores like walmart and linens and things. I also think Camping World sells it. Definitely worth trying.

Answer 5

Go to the store and get some Fabreeze and spray it on all of the surfaces that are fabric. This will take the smell out of the car. You will need to do the same thing to your clothes, and your skin and hair. The easiest and best thing you can do is to quit smoking. It has no up side to it, and the amount of downside is considerable. I smoked for a very long time, and quit cold turkey. Mind over matter. I wish I had all the money I spent on cigs. Regards, Dan

Answer 6

Hi Bimmer,

This answer is in regard to moving one, and thank you BTW. I've lived in a few in the past 45 years and worked on many more. I had to connect this way since you don't allow e mail or IM.
I didn't state strictly that one CAN'T move a mobile themselves but certainly wit would take the proper hitches and power of a tow vehicle to happen in a safe practical manner. One might still need to get all kinds of permits, approvals, even escorts?

I'd be happy to chat about any mobile issue you have.

Steven Wolf

Answer 7

The smell has permeated all fibers in the home. This includes carpet and furniture. The walls and ceilings can be washed down with odor cleaning detergents. The carpet and furniture will probably need to be professionally cleaned.

Answer 8

my bosses home burnt...she says theres a cleaner called ban-o that cleans every thing including smoke. she washed evrything in it, fabric, glass, wood, carpets, etc. I tried it after my home flooded, it does kill all odors. Try finding it at lowe's or home depot

Answer 9

Oh pooh on all you, stop complicating things. Soap and water works wonders. Be sure to clean everything. That's it.