Before resorting to the chemical route, try a solution of 50 / 50 water and vinegar. Wipe inside as well as all outside surfaces. Then wipe down with a damp cloth. Let dry and see how it smells.
The vinegar/water solution has worked for me in the past. My Father used to smoke in his home so all of his furniture was very stinky and had years of tar and nicotine build up. When I moved him in with me bc of health issues, I left all of his belongings in my kitchen and got out the vinegar and water and sprayed a ton of it on a soft towel I no longer wanted and started to clean it. It took about 3 times to get the furniture cleaned and still has a slight scent left behind, but for the most part, it works.
I also read to place bowls of baking soda inside drawers and cabinets to absorb the smoke smell from long term exposure and helps to get what the vinegar and water mixture doesn't remove.I am currently trying this in my dresser drawers, and am hoping it works!! Good luck! jill
Oh I definitely will! I am moving out soon, and have been using a 1:2 cups vinegar to water ratio in a spray bottle and have these built in wooden shelves along 2 walls and sprayed it directly onto the shelves, as well as the doors, frames, and my furniture- both sealed/finished (nightstands, book cases), and old/natural/unfinished wood (dressers, and the finish on the built-in ledge shelves are worn too). My landlord has been here a few times and has not said anything about the smoke smell, so I believe it's all working!
I did read somewhere also that an ammonia solution will remove the tar and nicotine build-up with ease, but I have a cat and don't want to poison her. So I am going with the vinegar/water and the baking soda in drawers options. I like that I don't have to sprinkle the soda directly in the drawers then have to vac or try to wipe it all out! I used small glass, ramican-sized (sp?) bowls, and am not sure how long I am to leave it in there, or change it out with fresh soda, but I'm thinking it may take a while since my now ex and I both smoked in our old bedroom for 13+ years, and now just me for the past 3, so I don't think just one day or 1 bowl will do it?
Oh! On completely untreated wood- never varnished or coated, the wood immediately soaked up the vinegar/water, and I was unable to wipe it back up, but it was on the underside of my desk, so that doesn't matter to me.
I also read that the vinegar/water solution can be used on the cloth of furniture, but test a spot 1st, and that will deodorize those pieces- like chairs, couches, mattresses, even carpet. As it dries, it removes the odors and the vinegar smell also dissipates so it doesn't leave that vinegar "after-smell" !!
Jill, thank you for the very thorough response --really glad to know about the untreated wood, and that the solution even is okay to use on cloth surfaces. Have a blessed day.
Every time I clean my mirrors, they end up having tons of streaks and almost look worse than before I started. What could I use to clean them that won't leave streaks...
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Before resorting to the chemical route, try a solution of 50 / 50 water and vinegar. Wipe inside as well as all outside surfaces. Then wipe down with a damp cloth. Let dry and see how it smells.
white vinegar
The vinegar/water solution has worked for me in the past. My Father used to smoke in his home so all of his furniture was very stinky and had years of tar and nicotine build up. When I moved him in with me bc of health issues, I left all of his belongings in my kitchen and got out the vinegar and water and sprayed a ton of it on a soft towel I no longer wanted and started to clean it. It took about 3 times to get the furniture cleaned and still has a slight scent left behind, but for the most part, it works.
I also read to place bowls of baking soda inside drawers and cabinets to absorb the smoke smell from long term exposure and helps to get what the vinegar and water mixture doesn't remove.I am currently trying this in my dresser drawers, and am hoping it works!! Good luck! jill