The odor and staining left behind by nicotine can be especially difficult to get rid of. This can be a real issue for a new homeowner if the previous occupant was a smoker. Smoke particles are extremely small and so permeate almost everything, also nicotine leaves a brown oily residue which sticks to most things meaning that the odor stays around for a very long time. If you are struggling with this in your new home, what can you do?
You will, no doubt, need to use a number of different methods to get rid of tobacco odor. Good ventilation is a first step. Try to keep all windows and doors open for as long as possible. Another good thing to do initially is place natural odor absorbers around the house, baking soda, coffee grinds and citrus peel work well. Another important step is to change all HVAC or air conditioner unit filters.
Cleaning the home is something most new homeowners like to do, in homes where someone has smoked, this is especially important. There may be areas you would not at first think about like light bulbs, for example. When a light bulb covered in nicotine is turned on it begins to warm up which makes the odor diffuse into the room. Although it would be best to replace all light bulbs, you can also give them a good cleaning. If blinds have been left at the windows, take them down and put them in a tub to soak, then give them a good scrub and leave to hang dry. Its good to use a cleaner which contains ammonia for removing nicotine from hard surfaces, but this shouldn’t be used on wood.
Nicotine is very difficult to remove from carpets. The best thing to do is replace them. Be aware, though, that you will need to make sure the flooring underneath is cleaned thoroughly and completely dry before installing new carpet. Painting walls is also a good idea but, before you buy the paint, seek advice on which paint to use as sometimes the nicotine will seep through the paint.
We hope that these simple tips will help your new home to smell fresh and tobacco odor free in no time.
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