How can I remove heavy smoke film from wood doors?

Gail Hughes
by Gail Hughes
I recently moved into an apartment where the previous tenants were very heavy smokers. The apartment had been painted, cleaned, new appliances and floors installed. The doors are disgusting. The painter was sloppy and I used a Krylon pant remover pad to take the paint off. Now the doors are marked where I used the cleaning pads. Any suggestions on how to clean these doors???
  6 answers
  • William William on Apr 19, 2017

    First use Murphy's Oil Soap to clean the doors. Then mix two cups of vinegar mixed into 1/2 gallon of water. Dip a soft cloth or sponge into the solution, wringing out most of the liquid, then wipe down the door. Wipe dry with a towel or allow it to air dry.

  • Gma Kirk Gma Kirk on May 07, 2017

    You can wash with a paste of white vinegar or ammonia and baking soda to wash them down, then rinse with a clean cloth and hot water.

  • Judy Judy on May 07, 2017

    OH MY!!! You really have a task!!! If this hasn't been cleaned for along time, this may be very hard to do. First of all, open all your windows, and take down all drapes, and curtains. Wash those, in detergent, and vinegar. You may have to do this a couple of times. Wash all walls, with strong cleanser, and Pinesol, for this will help also. You may have to go to Lowe's, to get more ideas, but this is a real task. If there is carpet, then the scent will be in the carpet as well. You will have to wash all your cupboards with Pine Sol, also, and the bathroom, and bedrooms. I hope this helps, but you really have a task at hand. Keep your windows open, to avoid VERY STRONG SCENTS, OK? Best wishes, J.

  • Jean Thompson Jean Thompson on May 07, 2017

    Try this product from the Dollar Store called Awesome, its like 409 or Fantastic. Just spray it on let sit for about a minute, and rinse good with damp cloth and let dry.. You prime the door with any good Primer and then paint several coats of a quality paint then seal good with a clear Polyurethane... or are they stained wood? You could lightly sand, then wipe off all sanding dust, then stain again with a lighter wood stain? Get landlords permission to paint/ stain them if he will let you..

  • Gail Hughes Gail Hughes on May 07, 2017

    Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. I did use Pinesol and it did a great job. i will now sand the doors and figure out what kind of stain to use on them. The door knobs were also disgusting. What i thought was tarnish was actually just dirt. Got that problem solved.

  • Jazzy Jazzy on May 07, 2017

    All you have to do is go to the lumber yard and buy something caller krutter something in a spray. They will know the correct name of this cleaner. I helped my daughter buy a house 8 yrs ago and the man that helped me is in Heaven. The lady that had the house was the only owner and smoked along with her family members since the 1960s. Now use a ladder and some rags. Start spraying from the top of whatever you are cleaning and it melts away years of smoke damage. I used it on wood, sheetrock and metal. It is worth its weight in gold. Now I am not talking about soot from a housefire. Just old, stinky cigs.


    • Gail Hughes Gail Hughes on May 09, 2017

      Thank you so much. I live in Canada and not sure if we can get it but I will go to Lowe's and Home Depot and see if I can get it or a similar product. Really appreciate your comments.