How do I rid my new home of the smoker's stench that the previous owner left beh

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   donnah75posted 9 years ago

   How do I rid my new home of the smoker's stench that the previous owner left behind?
   
   I just purchased and moved into a condo apartment. The person who lived here before me was a smoker, and all the cleaning I have been doing isn't making a difference. I know there must be a solution to this problem. Help!

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   The Examiner-1posted 9 years ago

   Have you tried those air fresheners that just sit in place and open a certain distance that you choose (such as Renuzit)?

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      donnah75posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Yes. Febreeze too. It is not enough.

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   fastfretaposted 9 years ago

   Painting removes all smoke smell traps on the the flat surfaces. However if you can't paint, washing walls with vinegar first then an over the counter cleanser such as Lysol. If there's carpet, that must be replaced or removed. If that is not an option hire a professional to clean and deodorize it. So the short of it all the smoke is trapped in the walls and carpet and must be dealt with. Hope that helped, I used those methods in my mother's home and they worked.

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      Wesman Todd Shawposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I endorse fastfreta's answer here.

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      donnah75posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thankfully the carpet is new. Thank you!

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   ChristinSposted 9 years ago

   Get an ozone machine.  Hotels use these to remove bad smells that standard cleaning can't get rid of, especially smoke.  I know we used them in the extended stay hotel I worked at when people would burn things on the stove or smoke heavily.
   
   I know you can rent them, but I'm not sure where from.  It would be worth a call maybe to a local home improvement store to ask about.  You plug the machine in and let it run and it somehow pulls the smells out like magic over the course of 24 hours or so. 
   
   White vinegar may help also as it neutralizes odors and can be safely used on a lot of surfaces.  When I moved in here, everything was covered in yellow, sticky tar.  Vinegar helped immensely.

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      Cobrafanposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Those ozone machines are fantastic. I worked in a hotel when I was younger and we had one guest smoke like a chimney in a non-smoking room and the next guest complained. The ozone machine took the smell right out of there.

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      donnah75posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks. I think I found a cleaning company that provides this. I might try it.

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   cat on a soapboxposted 9 years ago

   I agree! Get rid of any permeated carpets and drapes, then thoroughly paint.
   Odors can linger in heat/AC vents also.

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      donnah75posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I think the air ducts are the biggest culprit. Will have them cleaned. Thank you!

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   hawaiihibouposted 9 years ago

   Hi:
   have you tried alcohol + water mixture to spray on walls and your carpets and anywhere else? In a 16 oz. spray bottle put at least aboiut an inch of alcohol and the rest water then shake to mix and spray and wipe. With your carpets and drapery just mist let dry. It shouldn't discolor-test to make sure. Alcohol + water mist will clear the air and sanitize your home too safely. If you're not allergic to alcohol it's a very frugal solution and your home will be sanitized at the same time. Good luck in your new home.
   A hubber too,
   hawaiihibou

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      donnah75posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you. Good suggestion.

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   peachpurpleposted 9 years ago

   paint all the walls because the smoke had been sucked up into the walls.

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   TIMETRAVELER2posted 9 years ago

   That smell stays in all fabrics...especially carpets and draperies.  Get rid of them!  Also, give the condo a good, long airing out..use fans if you must to clear the air.  Only after you do this would I wash and disinfect the walls, cabinets, light fixtures, et al.  Hopefully, that will take care of the problem for you.

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   Nicole Nichols-Smposted 9 years ago

   You may have to replace the carpet including pad and paint the walls with deodorizing paint (paint has baking soda). May also need to replace the air filters too.

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