Tobacco odor is a very difficult odor to remove from a home. This is because smoke particles are extremely small, which means they can permeate almost everything. Not only that, but nicotine leaves a sticky brown residue that is also very hard to remove. So, what can you do to remove such a difficult odor from your new home?
As soon as you get the keys to your new home, open all windows and doors for as long as possible to get a good flow of fresh air through the place. It will also help to place odor absorbers throughout the home. Baking soda, activated charcoal, citrus peel, and coffee grounds are all good options.
You will probably notice that nicotine residue is on most surfaces. It is a good idea to replace anything you can, including light bulbs and HVAC and air conditioning filters. Anything you want to keep, such as left-over window blinds, should be taken down, left to soak in the tub, then thoroughly scrubbed and hung back up to dry. An ammonia-based cleaner is good for most hard surfaces, just don’t use it on wood.
Most likely, you will want to give the place a fresh coat of paint. It is best to ask for advice about which paint you should use for nicotine, as the brown residue will seep through otherwise.
As we have mentioned, to get rid of years of tobacco odor, it is best to replace as many items from the home as possible. Carpeting is one of those things that should be replaced as it is extremely difficult to remove nicotine from it. When replacing the carpet, be sure to replace the underneath padding also. Give the subfloor a thorough cleaning and dry it out completely before installing the new floor.