How to get rid of Bad odor?

Lin5736121
by Lin5736121
i am moving into a condo that has been vacant for over a year last owner was a heavy smoker the house reeks of a bad smell what do you recommend?


  9 answers
  • Rhonda Brooks Rhonda Brooks on Mar 04, 2018

    Smoke Get on everything. Contact the owner if renting and ask that it be cleaned for smoke. If you bought it depending on your state you may have a year to have any thing fixed not forth right mentioned before you bought it

  • Janice Janice on Mar 04, 2018

    That type of odor is very difficult to ever get rid of. Won't the landlord help with this? You might ask, as it would be in their best interest to deal with the issue. Sometimes bowls of vinegar, really cleaning the whole place with TSP (found at home improvement or national stores such as Walmart, Target, etc.) will help a lot. Also charcoal briquettes will help absorb the odor as well, but it will not be easy. Sometimes using a stain blocking primer such as Kilz or Zinsser will contain the odor in the walls at least. If there are carpeted floors that is where smoke absorbs the most as well as drapes or any other soft goods. Some people are more sensitive to smells than others and it may really affect you. I can tell by smell if a person is smoking in the car ahead of me even if their and my windows are up in winter. If you are the same way, it's going to be a difficult task. I hope you will get some more positive answers provided to you. Good Luck!

  • Sharon Sharon on Mar 04, 2018

    As an apartment manager, we torn out the carpets and curtains, then primed the walls at least twice and then painted. And wash all surfaces. Set off a Room Shocker in each room that you can get at Walmart, Lowes or Home Depot.... or order direct..... https://www.biocidesystems.com/odor-eliminator-bundles

  • Lady Anne Lady Anne on Mar 04, 2018

    Smoke is in EVERYTHING. The condo needs to be gutted - new carpet, paint job, etc. I agree with the others - talk to the landlord. In some areas this would be considered an uninhabitable residence, so you don't have to tolerate it. Did you know this before you signed the lease? You might be able to get out of it.

  • Eileen Eileen on Mar 04, 2018

    Open as many windows as possible and turn on circulating fans to help bring in fresh air. Pour some distilled white vinegar into small bowls or cups and place in the affected rooms. If you have an air purifier or can borrow one it is a great way to decrease smoke smell. It takes time for the air to become clean so keep it running.

    When it comes to smells cleaning the entire home is key. It's important to know that ceilings are the worst culprits for retaining smoke along with carpeting.

    If you have carpet you can try sprinkling plain, dry baking soda on carpets. Allow the baking soda to remain on the carpet for about an hour and then vacuum up. Be sure to toss the vacuum bags or empty the vacuum cup. If they still smell try using a strong rug cleaner. Make sure you spread the product generously around the room, getting into corners and covering floor edges. Follow the instructions, leaving the product on for the maxim time allotted. If you can still smell smoke in the carpet, you may need to hire professionals to do a deep cleaning

    For wood floors and doors, make sure you use a cleaner that is wood-friendly. Mop the floor thoroughly, making sure you change the water regularly. If necessary, you may need to hand-scrub corners and floor edges. Be sure to do the baseboards and door frames as well.

    For walls and ceilings use cleaning products that contain ammonia and glycol - key ingredients for neutralizing the smell. Just be aware that these are harsh chemicals, so you need to keep pets and small children out of the room you're working on. Test an area of the walls and ceiling first just to see how the paint will withstand the cleanser. Do one room at a time.

    Clean windows and mirrors using vinegar and water. Make sure you clean into corners, and clean the sills and window frames, too.

    After cleaning thoroughly and letting surfaces dry, smell the walls and carpeting separately. Make sure you keep checking after a day or two; the smell of the cleaner may be masking the smoke. If you can still smell smoke, you should consider repainting the walls and ceilings. Apply a sealant to the walls and ceilings first before repainting. This will seal off the smell and prevent it from seeping through your new paint job.


  • Dfm Dfm on Mar 04, 2018

    with that much smoking residue - wear gloves. not only is the smoke a bit sticky...but you can actually absorb some nicotine by skin contact.


    my dad smoked like a chimney... he would wander around the house and leave a cig lit in more than a few ash trays. his land lord had to strip all the drywall from the walls and ceiling, and all the carpets had to be replaced.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Mar 04, 2018

    Scrubbing all hard surfaces. Steam cleaning any carpet. Paint all paintable surfaces and seal with a product such as Kilz first. Air cleaner with HEPA filter. Wear gloves (and a mask if it's bad or if you are sensitive to the chemicals you are using or the smell bothers you). Use strong cleaners such as TSP or a TSP substitute. If you have the money, a professional deep clean would save you a lot of aggravation.Answer this Hometalker's question!