How can I rid a house of the smell of cigarette smoke?

Question

I am looking to buy a house from a lady who has smoked... what should I look out for? what should I anticipate doing to improve the house? Is there a lot of work I can do myself, or can it only be done commercially?

Answer 1

1. Wash walls down with TSP (Tri-Sodium Phosphate) and a sponge mop.

2. Have carpets cleaned and deodorized

3. Go to www.hdsupply.com (home depot commercial supply catalog) and order several cans of part #113137 which is a fogger you set off that is a smoke eliminator. Enough for 2 cans per room.

4. Add 1 sm. bottle of vanilla extract to each gallon of paint you use to repaint.

That should do it for you....good luck

Answer 2

The scent of cigarette smoke can be quite stubborn. No amount of air fresheners will rid the smell (especially when the scent is absorbed onto the drapes, wallpapers, doors, etc.

The first thing you should do is to clear all old furniture, fabrics and such from the house. Next open up all windows to air the place. Give the whole place a new coat of paint. Then get a few pots of Pandan Leaves or Spring Onions growing off raw charcoal and place it all around the house. This is an Asian technique that work wonders. Somehow, the charcoal and green plants just suck up and help the room to "breathe"...

Answer 3

Replace or wash curtain rods if they are left there. Put a fresh coat of paint on the walls, wash or paint doors and floorboards. If she leaves appliances in the kitchen, wash the out side as well as the inside. Steam clean carpets, unless
you are recarpeting. Wash windows, screens, sills and frames. And yes air out the house and closets.
(Most of this is general repainting and cleaning that would have to be done anyway!) Ps Great idea from Happy above:
always change heating and air conditioning filters. (At least every other month!)

Answer 4

1. make sure you have opened up all windows and doors for a couple of days.
2. burn incense sticks in the house. you can get some real nice ones from a chinese/indian shop
3. take rose water in a sprayer and spray it all along the house. it really gives out a nice smell and takes away the smell of cigaretters.
4. try to use a fan for sometime as it helps spread air and odour.
5. dont let go off this house for this reason. if possible, try to drive a bargain based on this fact.

Answer 5

it is very hard to get rid up the smokey smell, things that can be done to reduce the smell are to change the wallpaper if any, and replace any carpeting, there is only so much that can be done by keeping the windows open, and letting the breeze blow it out, the smoke gets absorbed into the drywall, painting over it could be a simple solution as well

dont forget the continuous use of air fresheners and candles

Answer 6

Cigarette smoke is so hard to get out. It stays in everything. Wash everything like pillows, comforters, and other things that are washable. Shampoo everything you can't fit in the washer, and paint. Regular detergent and cleaning supplies will take care of it. Also just let it air out for a bit. Open the windows.

Answer 7

Clean the crapets professionally or get a rug doctor. Paint the walls, but use a primer first- ask Lowes or Menards for the best to use. Leave the windows open for a week or so and use febreeze air effects- that stuff rocks.

Answer 8

You will need to scrub the walls, the floors and every thing in the house as well. You will have to take the curtains down and wash them a couple of times. You will have to clean the tar off of the walls. That's the worst.

Answer 9

Open the windows. Throw out all her upolstered furniture like living room couch and chair. Either clean the bed sheets and whatever with good detergent if she left them. Shampoo all the rugs, sometimes twice or throw them out, then pick up a good cleaning detergent for the walls, etc. and go to it big time. HAVE FUN!

Answer 10

ILL i bought a house from a lady who chain smoked. here's what i did: i got a sponge mop and dipped it in water & lysol, and mopped the walls from top to bottom, then i lit incense in each room, i had the carpets cleaned and finally i bought a bunch of air wicks to make the smell go away. it willl take a few days but it does go away.