How do you remove cigarette smoke?

Dee
by Dee

Hi. My husband and I recently purchased a mobile home. It's a classic. Excellent condition. So much cuteness potential. The former people cleaned before moving out, but I can see and smell cigarette smoke on everything! Walls, ceilings, blinds (cloth and plastic), windows. The former tenants lived in this trailer for 40+years and were smokers. And smoked indoors. Thanks.


  16 answers
  • Everything will need to be cleaned from ceiling to floor. Personally, I would hire professionals to come in to clean it and I would replace all flooring and blinds.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Jun 20, 2021

    Hello. It might be best to consider removal of anything that the smoke has permeated such as carpets and drapes. It might be worth considering a professionals help with the cleaning to get it done efficiently.

  • Janice Janice on Jun 20, 2021

    Hi Dee, I agree with the others about hiring a professional company to deep clean your new purchase. It really is nearly impossible to get the smoke smell out of something that has been permeated with smoke for that amount of time. I speak from experience......I purchased a beautiful bedroom set and thought I'd done a good job of deorderizing/sanitizing all the pieces but found I could still smell traces of smoke and got rid of the entire set. :(

  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Jun 20, 2021

    you can use TSP to clean the walls, cabinets, floors, etc you can find it at Home Depot, Walmart, etc.

    https://www.mymove.com/cleaning/guides/remove-smoke-smell/

  • William William on Jun 20, 2021

    Nicotine is greasy so you will need to use a degreaser. TSP, Simple Green, ZEP, Krud Kutter

  • Hi Dee,


    Argh...that's so frustrating! If hiring professional restoration services isn't in your budget, I would begin by removing and replacing as many of the soft surfaces (drapery, carpet, etc) as possible to start.


    For the walls, use Kilz primer, and then repaint. The primer does a fantastic job of blocking out odors and stains that are trapped.


    The last house I renovated had the same problem...I tore out all the carpets and then painted the entire interior...walls, ceilings, doors, trim...everything! I used Kilz as the primer first. There was absolutely no smell afterward, and no yellowing ever came through either.


    Hope this helps you! icon

  • Dee Dee on Jun 20, 2021

    Hi there Dee: you are going to have to wash all the walls and all the fabrics. I would get Zep Professional odor eliminator for smoke. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M8YGHDQ?tag=aboutcom02thespruce-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1&ascsubtag=4173496%7Cn1da80c19dd46486d83b43e416e36614521

    If you have carpet you should replace it, the smoke is definitely in the pad. Anything washable needs to be washed. This is a big task. You may want to hire a professional.


  • 17335038 17335038 on Jun 20, 2021

    Some plastics and vinyls, if exposed to smoke over time, will take on the smell and it will be almost impossible to remove it.

    The plastic components of the trailer may have to be extracted completely and replaced with brand new.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Jun 22, 2021

    OdoBan is hands down the best thing I've ever used to remove cigarette smoke. It is AMAZING. It comes in various scents. Bonus, it is also a disinfectant.

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Jun 23, 2021

    Wash down what ever you can with Murphy’s oil soap according to bottle directions wash all fabrics in tide it gets rid of orders if the fabric can’t come off then use a bowl with soap and a cloth to clean fabric wash walls cabinets floors keep rinsing water and make new .then leave all windows and doors open use a fan if possible that should do it paint we’re you could to freshen up color

  • Annie Annie on Jun 24, 2021

    It sounds like a total re model. New paint, carpets, drapes etc...

  • Fur51528602 Fur51528602 on Jun 24, 2021

    Put kills on your wall and repaint it or put a little bleach on a rag and wap it down

  • Beka 6 Beka 6 on Jun 30, 2021

    Wash all walls with dawn an lil bit bleach then fresh paint shld do it

  • Lindsay Aratari Lindsay Aratari on Jun 30, 2021

    Kilz primer

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Jul 07, 2021

    Warm soapy water should do a number on the cigarette smoke. You should also air it out as much as possible with doors and windows open. Place activated charcoal, apple cider vinegar, or white vinegar in a bowl in each room. If you are a coffee lover, you could also use coffee grounds. All these substances can help to absorb odors in a non-invasive way. You can also mask the smoke smell with vanilla extract.