How Do I Get Rid Of This Odor?

Odors in a new home can be a challenge to remove and one of the most difficult is nicotine. So, if you have just purchased a home where the previous occupant was a smoker, what steps can you take to start eliminating the smell?

As soon as you get the keys to your new place begin ventilating it. Open as many windows as possible to get the maximum amount of airflow. It is also a good idea to place some natural odor absorbers throughout the house. Some good ones include coffee grounds, citrus peel, and baking soda.

Nicotine residue is sticky and horrible to remove. Replace all of the light bulbs in the home as they will warm up the nicotine on them and disperse the odor into the air. You should also replace all HVAC or air conditioning filters.

If the house comes with window blinds that you want to keep, take them down and soak them in a tub, then give them a scrub before hanging to dry. You can use an ammonia-based cleaner on hard surfaces which is effective at removing nicotine, just avoid using it on wooden surfaces.

It is only natural that you will want to give the rooms a fresh coat of paint but, make sure you seek advice regarding one that is good for walls coated with nicotine. Otherwise, you will find that its nasty brown residue will seep through the new paint.

Because smoke particles are so small, they permeate practically everything. If the floors have carpeting, it would be best to remove them completely and replace them. Make sure, however, that the floor underneath has been well scrubbed and thoroughly dried out before installing the new flooring.