How can I get rid of this "smoke" smell?

JennyW_2

We've just moved into a flat and I keep smelling a stale/smoke smell and it's driving me up the wall :mad: The property was empty for 3 months before we moved in and I'm not sure if the previous owners smoked The carpets have been cleaned and I now have my own curtains up but I can still smell it. I'm wondering if it is smoke then it may have clinged to the walls/ceilings? We're having the ceiling wall paper stripped off next week so perhaps that will help. Is it worth buying these fabreze/oust freshners or any suggestions as to where the smell is coming from?

skylight

It clings to the walls, ceilings, carpet (cleaning helps only marginally as the smell is deep down and cleaning cleans the top), windows EVERYTHING.

Sorry.

A major cleaning is due. I can only suggest another massive carpet clean (hire a deep cleaner) use stardrops and wash down everything. At least you are stripping the paper off - fresh paint will work wonders.

skylight

Can you not replace the carpets??????

JennyW_2

charlotte664 wrote:

It clings to the walls, ceilings, carpet (cleaning helps only marginally as the smell is deep down and cleaning cleans the top), windows EVERYTHING.

Sorry.

A major cleaning is due. I can only suggest another massive carpet clean (hire a deep cleaner) use stardrops and wash down everything. At least you are stripping the paper off - fresh paint will work wonders.

I haven't stopped cleaning

all rooms will be painted soon (we're having building works done at the moment) and I will get the lounge carpet replaced too but it does sound as if it's ingrained into the property. Just have to keep those incense sticks burning!

kat21

you could look into natural floors if wooden, they seem to be popular?
at least taking the carpets out should help a little. You will need something to remove nicotine before you start to paint on any gloss.
kat21

jonboy31

It's also possible that one of the occupants in an adjoining property smokes and it's finding it's way into your house. My next door neighbour smokes and quite often I can smell it.

John

busymumof3

My MIL moved into a newly decorated and renovated flat last year and has already managed to turn the cream walls and white paintwork a horrid browny colour with her 20 a day habit.

Sugar soap is best for paintwork and walls although I don't envy you the task.
When I cleaned the inside of my MIL's windows and saw what came off on the kitchen towel I was almost physically sick.

Leaving windows open as much as possible also helps although materials and untreated wood just seem to soak up the smell and it is impossible to get it out. We had to ditch some furniture that my MIL gave us as it still stank to high heaven after months of ventilating in the garage.

robwend

paint will stop it, new gloss and painted walls will stop it, its in the walls ceilings. everywhere, once yourve gutted the room it will be gone! garenteed!

roswell

a ioniser will get rid of the smell to, fabreez wont

JennyW_2

the property is detached so I doubt it's coming from our neighbours and the walls and ceilings are very "clean" looking, certainly not the colour you'd expect if someone was smoking. Over the next couple of months I'll have to hope that with a change of carpet and newly painted walls, it'll help.

Debt_Free_Chick

JennyW wrote:

Just have to keep those incense sticks burning!

I find those vapourisers work best - where you put a tealight in the bottom and pour pot-pourri oil into the top. However, it depends on the quality of the oil. The best value for money I've found is M&S.

Burning oil produces pretty much the same effect as burning a cigarette - only the oil smells nicer! But it does seem to penetrate the same things as cigarette smoke and over a period of about a week, I've found the nice oil will completely clear the nasty cigarette smoke.

Move the vapourisers around the house, as you need to burn in every room!