What is the best way to clean walls stained with smoke?
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Before painting walls and ceilings for a DIY project, I would like to clean pervasive smoke stains from cigarettes and wood heater use. What is the best way to do this? Are there any shortcuts or easier methods for someone with arthritis in the shoulders?
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http://homeguides.sfgate.com/remove-cigarette-smoke-smell-color-walls-91853.html
Murphy's Oil Soap.
The only way I know to do this will probably play havoc with your shoulders as the walls will need to be washed down first with a solution of tsp and water, then rinsed well afterwards....one application may not be enough! You could buy a sponge mop with a handle to use if the up/down motion is easier than the wiping motion...
TSP works and doesn't leave any residue. You may find that the smoke smell is still there. Best way to deal with that is KILZ oil based primer.
simple green OR soft scrub i have used both with success
When I was a kid, we used "spic and span" but since people use latex paint these days, and if your walls are wall board, your walls might not take much scrubbing.
I would get some of those small white utility towels at the big box stores and pour a bottle of 409 into a pan, wet down the cloth and then wipe down the molding...followed by a cloth just damp with water.
Then, go to the dollar store and purchase two inexpensive sponge mops. Dip one in the 409 and wash the wall, then use the second one to rinse.
You will probably have to rinse these out often, depending on the amount of smoke is on the walls.
Be careful not to get the walls too wet.
It would be good to have a helper around to wash out the cloths when you are on a ladder doing the molding.
Spic and Span is now made in a spray instead of the "gritty" kind we used in the dark ages!
P.S. http://www.spicnspan.com/ you can still buy this product in liquid form!
TSP cleaner.
Use a Heavy Duty Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, followed by wiping with a damp sponge.