Tobacco Smell

[dregan]

I've just moved into a new house and it stinks of cigarettes.  Both the previous owners obviously smoked. It's not messy, they were very clean and decorated regularly, but I can't get rid of the smell.  Any suggestions - I've tried anti-tobacco shake and vac stuff, smelly plug in anti-tobacco stuf, oust, deep cleaning, lots of fresh air etc but the smell's still there.  Any advice gratefeully received.

[Gilli]

Guess it might depend on what you mean by deep cleaning. If you've had the carpets professionally shampooed (sp?) for example, and had any curtains remaining dry cleaned, and the smell still lingers, you might have to bite the bullet and get rid of these items.

Plus, I would also redecorate if you can .... after having scrubbed all the woodwork, doors, light fittings (after turning the electricity off), curtain poles, door knobs and anything else you can think of (or even replace fittings where you can). Unfortunately, despite its claims, I don't think stuff like Oust ever really gets rid of deep seated smells - it only masks them for a short time. My baby daughter has had gastroentiritis recently & was terribly sick .... with the best will in the world, oust, febreeze and carpet cleaner doesn't work !! Think I'll need to get the carpet cleaned properly.

Smoke is such a pervasive smell .... it gets into the tiniest crevices and you may well find that with time, it will disappear but i fully sympathise with you and would hate to live in that atmosphere. Do try repainting if you can ... the smell of new paint must be better !!

[rampart]

If it is really terrible, look up a local fire restoration company - the one you hire if you've had a fire in your home. They have equipment that is designed to remove the smell of smoke. This is most often done with a machine that produces ozone. They set it up in your home and turn it on to run for a few hours. Perhaps this would work for you.

http://www.ozonetech.com/applications/air-treatment.html

[Goofy]

Time - and fresh air. Luckily it's th e summer coming up. Leve windows and doors open all hours and eventually the smell will go.
Also, If the house came with carpets bin them

[dmsjps]

Hi dregan, I agree with all the answers so far and it's a case of what you can afford really. As a first start, I'd try washing all the walls and paintwork, plus shampoo the carpets and curtains. If that doesn't work, then try redecorating. It doesn't have to be anything expensive; just get rid of old wallpaper which will have soaked up tobacco and then put new paint everywhere. Also, at this time of year you can leave the windows open all day,which is sure to help.

However, once you've done all this, if you can still smell it, then it's probably time to get new carpets and redecorate throughout.

[loelliott]

As husband and I are ex smokers, I can tell you the only thing that has really got rid of the smell is redecoration throughout, and replacement of downstairs carpets (we did not smoke upstairs).  Hard work and time consuming but definitely the only thing that removed the smell!

[SASHAGREEN]

yes i agree with everyone! replace the carpets, paint the walls, go all out! gee i hope my house don't stink! we only smoked in the bathroom, but have stopped. our house was just sold! being a smoker you can't smell anything! anyway, good luck with your problem!

[Gef]

Er, good luck but surely you visited the house before you bought it.

[dregan]

Thanks to everyone for your answers, much appreciated. 

We did visit the house before we bought it, but all windows were open, and they'd just freshly painted the house, hence smell wasn't noticeable.  Unfortunately it took 7 months for purchase to go through (long chain!!!)

Thanks again

[curiosity]

In the short term to really brighten up paint work or any other fixtures, you will watch in amazement as Sugar soap causes the yellow nicotine to run down the door frame. You can get sugar soap from decorating shops, or the likes of David Fox Hardware, B&Q. The one you have to mix yourself is stronger than the liquid form. I knew a professional painter who worked in Pub refurbishment, and sugar soaping was always their first job.

[Lil-Ol-Me]

Nicotine actually grows on walls and ceilings which many smokers will be horrified to know! However, the best thing to actually mop up bad smells (and not just cover them) is bicarbonate of soda mixed with a little lemon juice and water. Or you could use lemon, orange and/or grapefruit peel (which you can buy at health shops or on the net.. Herbal suppliers) and mix with some bicarb and a little household borax. Sprinkle on carpets, rugs and soft furnishings, leave for a good few hours (overnight is best) and then vac thoghrouly!