How to clean ceilings from heavy smokers?

IF YOUR CEILING HAS NO POPCORN I USED BLEACH MIXED WITH WATER. CIG SMOKE IS OILY AND IF THE PAINT ON THE CEILING IS A FLAT OR CEILING PAINT AS IT DRIES THE NICOTINE MIGHT KEEP COMING THRU IT DEPENDS ON HOW BAD THE CIG SMOKE IS. IF YOU HAVE POPCORN OR ASBESTOS CEILINGS YOU WILL HAVE TO SCRAPE THE CEILING. MAKE SURE YOU WERE PROTECTIVE EYE WARE. GOOD LUCK

https://youtu.be/AdvvKQDL5GI

From what I've heard from those who "flip houses", you must first use something like Kilz before you paint the ceiling. Getting rid of the look AND the smell requires that much work.

If it is a flat surface you can use a magic eraser. This works really well.

simple green works pretty well--be forewarned,it drips

I've used TSP on a Swifter mop. Easy to use the long handle. No storeroom or ladder needed.

I've had to deal with this issue multiple times in different homes. (We were renters/rehabers for many years.) it's important to clean it with Odoban or TSP, but this step won't remove the stain. Then you have a choice. You can either keep painting it until the stain stops bleeding through (this will take 3 coats or possibly 4) OR you can use Kilz and then one or two good coats of paint. Which option I choose depends on how strong the smell is and how cheap the paint is. Kilz is a little pricey, so if you are using free paint from the recycle center, then just keep painting it.

Hi Simona,

Wow, what a mess, for this you need to work in sections to actually clean and rinse as you go. Blue Dawn dish soap is very effective at cutting through this. It is probably the least expensive, just put some in a bucket of warm water and wipe. Be prepared to rinse with clean water right after. Should not be too bad on the flat surfaces.

We went through a similar situation when we bought our house years back and still discover missed spots where the nicotine bleeds through-its powerful stuff, so don't be surprised if this happens to you.

Best wishes