Removing nicotine from furniture

Pat
by Pat
My husband is a chain smoker. My oak cabinets and furniture are coated with nicotine. I have tried several cleaners with not much result. Can anyone please help?
  8 answers
  • Sandy Slade Sandy Slade on Mar 04, 2015
    Have you tried White vinegar yet. It removes several layers of polish. It takes it right back to the bare wood. I used to have to do this when I was a cleaner and then re-apply the polish.
  • Pat Pat on Mar 04, 2015
    Thanks Sandy. I found online to mix 1/2 gallon of water, 1 cup white vinega rand 1/2cup baking soda and use a brush. I will try this
  • Ahm1109086 Ahm1109086 on Mar 04, 2015
    After cleaning ,divorce your husband. :)
    • Pat Pat on Mar 04, 2015
      @Ahmet.kapanci Good one!!! I wish I could!
  • Elizabeth Upchurch Elizabeth Upchurch on Mar 04, 2015
    I used Windex window cleaner on the antique oak furniture we received from my mother-in-law. She had smoked in her house forever and the nicotine was thick on the furniture and it smelled. Took several cleanings before I finally didn't get yellow nicotine on my rag anymore. Didn't hurt the finish at all but I did go over each piece with a good beeswax liquid mixture afterward for moisture, etc.
  • Lee Cunningham Green Lee Cunningham Green on Mar 04, 2015
    Awesome is a pretty good product, on cabinets, and windex I have used both, I am a smoker but happy to say we moved to a new home that I have been doing a huge amount of cleaning and repairing to, so no one has smoked in the house and I want to keep it that way. When I smoked in the house I washed down my cabinets weekly and still had that yellow resedue to deal with, so glad I have at least managed to cut down on smoking and also cut down on my work load by the cigarette ban indoors.
  • Christine Agostini Christine Agostini on Mar 06, 2015
    The cigarette stains are not primarily from the nicotine, but the tar additive in cigarettes. I believe that Goo Gone will remove the residues from your surfaces while not causing any harm to the finishes. It is a cleaner that is citrus oil based which will have an added benefit of an effective freshener for the smell. If you plan on re-painting any surfaces, I recommend using Kilz paint primer, I would use two coats prior to my finishing color. It is most effective, although not infallible, in sealing off the stain and preventing it from bleeding through your topcoat. If re-painting, simply clean surfaces with bleach and water, not any oil-based cleaner as this will adversely affect paint adhesion. Finally, if you're dealing with upholstered furniture, I highly recommend a product called OdoBan. I know it is sold at Sam's Club, not sure of any other retailers who carry it. If you don't have a Sam's Club membership, go to customer service in the store and they will give you a one-time guest pass to allow you to make your purchase. OdoBan can be safely used in carpet/upholstery cleaners. Several applications may have to be used to achieve the freshness you're looking for. When you're satisfied that the odor has been removed or at least greatly reduced, follow up with a hot water/fabric softener rinse on the upholstery. Not only will this increase the pleasant aroma, but also acts as a stain resistant coating on the fabric which will make future cleanings that much easier. I hope this helps. Good luck!
  • Lee Cunningham Green Lee Cunningham Green on Mar 06, 2015
    Home Depot also carries OdoBan.
  • Cindy Nash Cindy Nash on Mar 10, 2015
    My renters have just moved from our house and it smells so bad!! They were chain smokers! Now, how do I clean the walls and blinds? Is it possible to get this smell out of the house? Any suggestions appreciated!