Tip: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
Archived on 09/29/2009
This tip is for cleaning nicotine stained walls. I have just done a test with several different cleaners including TSP and the only one that really does the job is Scrubbing Bubbles. No streaks no residue. Love it.
Shawna
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RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
Please only do this unless all your doors and windows are open and wearing a protective mask! (08/28/2009)
By Deeli
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Tip: Scrubbing Bubbles for Walls
Archived on 08/26/2009
Scrubbing Bubbles is great for cleaning walls. It melts away the nicotine too. Spray on, wait 1 minute and wipe off with paper towels. A building contractor told me this, I was amazed how well it worked, even my hand held steam cleaner didn't get it all. He also said it won't damage your carpet if it drips on it. Some did and it never left any spots. Try it!
By Sharon C. from Maine
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RE: Scrubbing Bubbles for Walls
I am definitely going to try this. I LOVE Scrubbing Bubbles. Have you tried their new shower cleaner? It has a wide spray and it is terrific. Also, have you tried their new toilet gels? (09/30/2008)
By Savings Assistant
RE: Scrubbing Bubbles for Walls
I used Scrubbing Bubbles to clean the hood vent over the stove. It cuts the grease well. And as in the bathroom, no scrubbing. (10/01/2008)
By Norma
RE: Scrubbing Bubbles for Walls
When I bought my fixer-upper house, cleaning the walls with Scrubbing Bubbles was the only way to clean the walls. They had to be cleaned before painting. I tried to just prime them first but the nicotine was so bad it actually bled through the primer. I can attest to the efficiency Scrubbing Bubbles. (10/02/2008)
By Lynn
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Request: Cleaning Nicotine from Walls and Fine Furniture
Archived on 08/26/2009
How do I clean fine furniture that has accumulated years of nicotine residue? I live in a mobile home. My walls are also stained from nicotine--how do I clean this stuff? - Lynne from Georgia
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RE: Cleaning Nicotine from Walls and Fine Furniture
The best product I have ever used is Austin's Orange Cleaner....it's made here in PA. There are national brands of orange cleaner that will work, but not as well. (01/27/2005)
By spelch
RE: Cleaning Nicotine from Walls and Fine Furniture
For the walls (don't forget your ceilings either), use a product called tri-sodium phosphate (TSP) - it's sold anywhere you can buy house paint - and it's relatively inexpensive - about $3 for a large carton, and you'll likely only use half of it to scrub your whole house (it stores well too). Basically, it's a powdered mix that you add to water to make a mild acid (so use gloves when using) that eats just about any goo that has adhered to your walls over time. It's what all the professional painters use to prep the walls and ceilings with. We bought a mobile home many years ago that reeked of nicotine - we had to change our rinse water a lot, but it all came off, and you would never know that smokers had lived there previously. (01/27/2005)
By Shari
RE: Cleaning Nicotine from Walls and Fine Furniture
We bought a mobile home that was furnished and saturated with smoke. We washed the walls down with Murphy's Soap - not the ceilings. They can't be washed. Then we called Servicemaster to come in and fog. This was 9 years ago and it cost $150. Don't know what it would be today. That fogging is guaranteed forever. We had it done twice and there is NO smoke smell. We close up and go north for the summer and when we return NO smoke smell. It's amazing!! Worth the money. (01/27/2005)
By Marylin
RE: Cleaning Nicotine from Walls and Fine Furniture
For the FURNITURE, and walls IF they are wood paneling: Liquid Gold. It's in the house cleaning area, but you might have to do some looking for it.
(01/27/2005)
By john
RE: Cleaning Nicotine from Walls and Fine Furniture
Year ago my friend moved into the same situation and we used equal parts of water and ammonia in a squirt bottle and it worked beautifully. It was wood paneling and it didn't damage it at all.
Keep your area well ventilated and wear a mask for whatever cleaner you use. (01/27/2005)
By Annie.
RE: Cleaning Nicotine from Walls and Fine Furniture
Scrubbin' Bubbles Bathroom Cleaner works great to clean vinyl wallboard. It does most of the work for you. Just be sure to wipe off any residue with a damp cloth. (10/16/2007)
By Dana
RE: Cleaning Nicotine from Walls and Fine Furniture
Awesome Orange is good, also Scrubbing Bubbles, If anyone knows of a better way--please let us know.
Diane (07/12/2009)
By Darby Rose
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Request: Nicotine Residue on Plaster Walls
Archived on 08/26/2009
I am purchasing a new home where there were obviously heavy smokers in the house for a long long time. The walls are plaster!
Does anyone have any "valuable" recomendations about cleaning the residue off of the walls, cabinets, original wood molding, etc. ?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Best regards.
Cindy
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RE: Nicotine Residue on Plaster Walls
I bought a house last year with nicotine on the walls and a professional painter recommended that I mop the walls with Trisodium Phosphate. I picked up a box at a local hardware store and it worked great! (05/03/2005)
By CeiliSue
RE: Nicotine Residue on Plaster Walls
That's exactly what you need to use! I worked in the Paint department of Home Depot for several years. The product is commonly referred to as TSP and comes in a green and yellow box. It will be found in the paint section of your local hardware store. Make sure you wear gloves and follow the manufacturer's directions exactly. TSP can also bleach some fabrics so make sure you remove all curtains etc before you start on a section.
I would also recommend using a product called KILZ as a paint. This product is not only a paint but also a sealer. Often times, even though you wash the walls thoroughly, steam from the bathroom or kitchen can cause the nicotine residue buried deep in the walls to make brown spots on your paint. They sell KILZ at most hardware stores, and they just started carrying it at Walmart too! You can usually have it mixed to any color but I recommend going to Home Depot or Lowes if you want it colored because they use computerated coloring systems. That will insure that all your cans of paint are uniformly colored. (05/03/2005)
By bunnyboo
RE: Nicotine Residue on Plaster Walls
My mom and I have had a lot of success cleaning up my grandparents' belongings with foaming bathroom cleaner, like Scrubbing Bubbles or Lysol Basin Tub and Tile Cleaner. My grandparents smoked A LOT for YEARS and it was amazing to see the nicotine residue melt away-- many items that we thought were supposed to have a brassy finish actually had a silver-type finish! (05/03/2005)
By Allison
RE: Nicotine Residue on Plaster Walls
I had the same problem and used Oxy Clean with warm water, rinsed with clear water, then painted with Kilz primer (2 coats) and regular paint. Your rags/sponges and rinse water will turn orange, but it really works well and you do not need gloves, mask or anything as it is non-toxic. You can work with closed windows also. (05/05/2005)
By QueenBeeCrafts
RE: Nicotine Residue on Plaster Walls
Speaking from personal experience, I recommend the amazing quality of KILZ as a primer for the nicotine problem. But under no circumstances should someone use this product in an unventilated room! This stuff comes with a vapor that will stun an ox at a distance. So beware! (03/14/2008)
By JimmyD
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Request: Nicotine Saturated Walls
Archived on 08/26/2009
Hi everyone, I have recently discovered this site and have to say that the tips on here are SO helpful, especially to a young newlywed!
I was wondering if anyone knows how to get rid of nicotine that has saturated the walls. I live in an apartment, and while my husband and I are not smokers, the previous resident(s) were. In our bathroom, I have cleaned the walls and ceiling many times, and the nicotine drips on the wall disappear easily with regular bathroom cleaner. However, they always come back within a week. When we shower, and the steam condenses and drips down the walls, the drops become yellow again with nicotine that I think has saturated into the paint.
I think this is the place in the house where the most recent resident did most of her smoking, since there are several burns on the sink top that appear to be made from cigarettes (don't you just love your first apartment).
My apartment complex isn't likely to fix the problem for me, so I'm turning to you all. I simply can't do a full scale wall and ceiling cleaning every week, and this is just too gross.
Sara
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RE: Nicotine Saturated Walls
We moved into a house that was heavily smoked in - the only things we found helpful were a Odor Removal company (approx $200 for our 3 level house). Carpet cleaning, removing wallpaper and paint. Nothing was real cheap (except for the paint). We also used a Kilz primer that blocked smoke. You may want to check home improvement stores or paint stores for their oops! paint - costs about $5 or less. (09/20/2004)
By karicarlson
RE: Nicotine Saturated Walls
I used manage apt complexes, and my hubby did the painting and maintenance. The only thing we used was Kilz, available at any home improvement store. If you're on a budget, you can buy a spray can at a time. It workes really well, and sprays on white, probably just like your walls are supposed to look like. Good luck! (09/20/2004)
By Kim
RE: Nicotine Saturated Walls
Sara
You might want to clean the walls with tsp let them dry then paint with Kilz stain blocker and then regular paint.
Good luck! (09/20/2004)
By acraftycat
RE: Nicotine Saturated Walls
If you're just worried about the smell left after cleaning the entire room, here's one that I've successfully used in my home, an RV, and in cars. Every night, or when you are away from home, place a bowl of pure ammonia in the middle of the room and shut the door. After about a week of this the smell should be gone or drastically reduced. The ammonia works for musty smells, and other nasty, ungodly smells as well. It's inexpensive and hasn't ever let me down. Good luck. (09/20/2004)
By Thissie
RE: Nicotine Saturated Walls
Kilz will block the seeping stains. I hope the odor of smoke isn't into the walls, tho. I don't know what would block that. (09/20/2004)
By
RE: Nicotine Saturated Walls
My first husband smoked. Although he went outside to light up the apartments we lived in always reeked of that nasty smell and film. After trying everything we got the landlord of one of the places to repaint. this was the best way. I wouldn't even bother trying anything else now. Smoking is such a dirty habit not only for those who choose to smoke but for those of us who have to live in the after math. (09/21/2004)
By walker
RE: Nicotine Saturated Walls
We cleaned our walls with Oxy Clean - really took off the 75 year accumulation of nicotine - then painted them will Kilz. It has really blocked the stains - and the smell. Just cleaning was good - but did not get it all.
Good luck! (09/21/2004)
By QueenBeeCrafts
RE: Nicotine Saturated Walls
Thanks everyone! I will check out these ideas right away! (09/21/2004)
By SWeyer
RE: Nicotine Saturated Walls
I just remodeled my home, and had to clean the walls of my living room as a prep to painting. Instead of the TSP solution, I tried a cleaner my father had given me. It is Quick-n-Brite. This product is a type of gel-like paste. After using, I almost didn't need to paint! I believe it is available from TV, i.e., infomericials. I have used it since on carpets stains and it works great! (10/10/2004)
By Sherry
RE: Nicotine Saturated Walls
I can totally relate to Sara. I paid a small fortune to repaper my master bathroom. The nicotine has discolored the paper. I love the pattern and want to try and clean the paper. What can I use? Kilz works great on painted surfaces. I painted the walls and the popcorn ceiling. Once that was done I painted the ceiling with ceiling white paint and the walls with semi gloss latex. The room smells great now. (02/15/2006)
By Grandmashadit
RE: Nicotine Saturated Walls
The way I got rid of the smoke staining was using a product made by the S.C. Johnson Wax Company called "GP Forward". Don't leave GP Forward undiluted on either your painted walls or your waxed floors because it'll peel the paint and strip off the wax. I use it diluted about 5 to 1. Diluted 5 to 1, it should remove the smoking stains just by itself, but if you really want to do a good job, read on...
I use an ultrafine (the light grey ones) Scotch Brite pad available from whatever place the local 3M sales rep tells you sells them (usually industrial supply places) on a "doodle bug pad holder" available at any janitorial supply store and wash the walls and ceilings with that. Get the kind you can put on a pole so you can do the ceilings with a long pole and the walls with a shorter one.
The GP Forward softens latex paint, so you'll find you can scratch it off the wall easily once the GP Forward has soaked in. Don't worry about that, it'll return to normal after it dries. Dip the Scotchbrite pad in a shallow pan containing about 1/4 inch of GP Forward and scrub the wall with that. You'll notice the cleaner turns the same colour as the wall. That's because it's removing the surface layer of paint. Don't worry, it won't remove it all. Once you've cleaned a section, remove the cleaner off the wall with a squeegee. Make a pass or two with the squeegee, then wipe up the collected liquid with one pass of a damp sponge. After you've cleaned the cleaner off, rinse with clean water and an Atlantic Bee Mop. Keep two buckets going; a dirty water bucket and a clean water bucket. Wring the sponge mop out in the dirty water first, then the clean, and pour out the dirty water often and then use the clean water as the dirty water and new water as the clean water.
Cleaning the walls this way will clean the smoke film off. But it'll also roughen the surface of the paint so it'll look flatter. It's not flat because the gloss goes all the way through the paint. I use this method to clean apartments after tenants move out. Once every ten years or so I paint. Then over the next 10 years I remove the surface layers of that paint after each tenant moves out. Guestimating by the colour of the dirty water I pour out, I figure I take off about 10% of the thickness of the paint each time I clean.
GP Forward is sold at any janitoial supply store that carries S.C. Johnson Wax products. It comes in a gallon jug or a 20 liter "enviropac". One gallon will do 4 or 5 two bedroom apartments. But it's also a great cleaner for other things too.
(12/04/2006)
By Anonymous
RE: Nicotine Saturated Walls
Have you tried using bleach water to clean walls and ceiling if they are white or really light in color it worked for me..if you have to and this helps try a fresh new color of paint afterwards or buy something called Kilz (washable) than a fresh coat of paint (05/07/2007)
By silkynjoe
RE: Nicotine Saturated Walls
Here could be some advice. I use a product called grease lightening. but you should be careful not to leave it on to long. it did take the finish off of my grandmother hardwood floor. but it works great for nicotine stains on the wall for just for general cleaning. i hope you find this to be useful info. (10/07/2007)
By
RE: Nicotine Saturated Walls
There is a product called T.S.P. It is a mild natural acid that will deglaze and clean the walls after which i would recommend painting. Being a painter myself i have used this product many times and it has never failed. Yous 1st coat should be an oil primer after which you can paint with whatever product you see fit. You should also ask your local paint store for details. Hope this helps. (02/02/2008)
By Jamie
RE: Nicotine Saturated Walls
Water, ammonia and a little dish detergent. Be sure to have ample ventilation. (03/15/2008)
By Adks
RE: Nicotine Saturated Walls
I found this by searching google.
Customer Testimonial
" I own a rental house and my tenant had smoked there for over 20 years. The popcorn ceiling was dark brown like chocolate. Where the pictures had been hanging on the wall was white and the wall was brown. The carpet stunk and was stained. I needed to get this house rented quickly so I was in a panic. I was glad to find your website and get next day delivery. One jar cleaned the whole house. I just sprayed the ceiling and it turned white after a few hours. The whole house smelled and looked clean after using your product. WOW! thanks again for such a great product".
Bobby L., Dallas Texas
Clean-n-Brite's formula comes in the form of all natural Power Crystals and mixes with your own tap water to release its full cleaning strength (05/08/2008)
By Steve
RE: Nicotine Saturated Walls
Hi there! The residue that is on your walls because of smoking is tar. Tar is a long chain of carbohydrate and is hardly soluble in water. You could compare it to grease, oil or fat. To get it off your walls, you have to use a solvent for fat. The cheapest thing out there that is really effective is AMMONIA. Dilute it with water and add some regular detergent. Ammonia can also be used to clean any other greasy surface like your cooker hood etc...
If you have curtains that were spoilt by smoke, just handwash them in ammonia solution before you get them into the washing machine. Make sure to try with pure ammonia on a less visible part of your fabric so to make sure it won't damage the colors.
(07/10/2008)
By Paul
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Request: How can I get Nicotine off the walls and stains off my linoleum?
Archived on 08/26/2009
I have purchased a mobile home to rent. The walls are stained with nicotine. I have tried every product we have heard of from Clorox Cleanup to Windex, even simple green and had no success. The nicotine comes off but the stain remains visible where items were hanging on the wall before.
The linoleum is stained severely by having been dirty with greasy rusty looking stuff on it for so long. Have used several products and they do not take the stain up.
Does anyone have suggestions on stain removal?
Sharon
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RE: Cleaning Floor
"Mean Green" is a product from Dollar Store, about $2.00 for a big spray bottle. Might help on the walls and the floor. I've used it on Vinyl Siding on the house and it takes off those pesky black spots. It's concentrate, takes several rinsings.
Buildup of the wrong floor cleaners for linoleum can cause a sticky floor. Wash the floor well and apply a different one, something in the line of Mop and Glo. I use generic Murphy's Oil soap for my no wax floors. Plus, an eraser will take up the scuff marks off of no wax floors. (09/10/2003)
By Yarnball
RE: Cleaning Floor
I realize this is an old post, but if anyone is interested, I found the "magic eraser" (by Mr. Clean I think) really works wonders. It doesn't last long on tough projects, but it does work! It makes maintenance easy with everyday cleaning methods. I used it on a tough oven hood that nothing else worked, and it removed all the grime in the break room at my husbands automotive shop. Now that was putting it to the test! Best wishes and happy cleaning! (03/15/2004)
By Christy
RE: How can I get Nicotine off the walls and stains off my linoleum?
I had to clean before moving into my father-in-law's house and nicotine was all over the walls. I went to the automotive department and purchased "Super Clean". It took off all of the nicotine and just about any other hard to clean place in the house. Remember, however, that it will take off paint if you leave it on a painted surface for more than a few seconds. The longer you leave it on the more it removes. I have even used it to strip a wood floor for refinishing. Works real well on paneling though. (03/29/2004)
By LADONNA
RE: How can I get Nicotine off the walls and stains off my linoleum?
For some reason, trailor homes absorb those stains and odors more than most. When my husband and I first got married we moved into a trailor home that the previous owners had lived in for over thirty years. They were both chain smokers. We used straight ammonia. I HATE USING AMMONIA, BUT IT WORKED. Keep the room well ventilated and for the ceiling we used an old mop and eye gear (to protect from drips). (05/07/2004)
By Tawnda
RE: How can I get Nicotine off the walls and stains off my linoleum?
One word: BLEACH
I used one part bleach and two parts hot water in a spray bottle to clean the nicotine off my walls before I painted them. Spray the walls so that the bleach water drips like crazy, then wipe with clean sponge, dry with an old towel.
WARNING! Use a mask to keep from inhaling fumes as bleach will burn your lungs and keep windows and doors open. Also, it may strip paint a bit if you scrub instead of wipe. The bleachy smell goes away after a day. (12/15/2004)
By Gina
RE: How can I get Nicotine off the walls and stains off my linoleum?
Mix ammonia with hot soapy water and prepare to use elbow grease. worked for me. (06/26/2005)
By Vic
RE: How can I get Nicotine off the walls and stains off my linoleum?
Greased Ligthening! $3.00 a bottle at The Dollar General Store! It's amazing! I am a professional cleaner that cleans during college student turnovers, and believe me, they don't teach cleaning to students! Just spray it on the walls and the nicotine will just roll off. I do recommend rewashing the walls after GL with soapy hot water.Once you use GL, you'll get rid of all your other cleansers and have extra room in your cabinet! Good Luck! (09/05/2006)
By Bethann
RE: How can I get Nicotine off the walls and stains off my linoleum?
I used all the products mentioned here...and it took off the paint...except the 'magic eraser'....so when I repainted, I used KILZ to seal the wall before I repainted. (01/18/2007)
By Debi Sue
RE: How can I get Nicotine off the walls and stains off my linoleum?
Use TSP. You can get it at the hardware store. Sometimes you can get it at the grocery store. Good luck. (02/23/2007)
By Kathy Anderson
RE: How can I get Nicotine off the walls and stains off my linoleum?
Paint with kilz paint. it works on a lot of other things like crayons and ink pen. (06/07/2007)
RE: How can I get Nicotine off the walls and stains off my linoleum?
You can try a spray product that comes out of most walmart automotive sections or any auto supply place. It's called 'Bleechwhite' check the spelling, but it is primarily used for rubber tires on cars and white walls...rubber gloves and plenty of white throw away rags on hand and ventilate room while you do your thing a section at a time so you don't knock yourself out...lol! goodluck (11/14/2007)
By Billy
RE: How can I get Nicotine off the walls and stains off my linoleum?
Unless really striving for vintage effect, there's no reason not to replace yukky old linoleum (with stains well soaked in) with modern vinyl flooring. Yup like the lady said, ammonia will cut nicotine real good. The only thing better is to mix half and half Pine Sol with it. (03/19/2009)
By Red Neck
RE: How can I get Nicotine off the walls and stains off my linoleum?
Greased Lightening is wonderful at removing nicotine stains from walls. (07/24/2009)
By Cynthia P.
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Request: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
Archived on 08/26/2009
I know someone out there knows the answer to this. We are moving into a place where the person was a heavy smoker. I need to know how I can clean nicotine off of walls without ruining the paint. I am not sure what kind of paint it is, but knowing our landlord, it is cheap paint. Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions for this.
Janice from Illinois
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RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
Hi Janice, go to the dollar store and buy a few bottles of Awesome cleaner. Spray it on and watch it roll off. Wipe it off with a terry cloth and clear water, and rinse the cloth good, maybe in the sink. This stuff is the greatest stuff. Only cleaner you'll ever need, will clean anything.
Hope this helps! (09/04/2008)
By Ron
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
Frankly, you should check in to your city/county/state tenant laws. It just might be that your landlord is required to clean and/or repaint those walls because the nicotine and cigarette chemical soaked walls are not healthy and, realistically, it's his/her property so why should you have to deal with it?
I am a smoker but refuse to smoke inside, even in freezing temperatures, because I don't want to subject my non-smoking family and friends health to my dirty habit!
If it turns out that you are the ones who have to do the cleaning, use diluted pinesol with cotton rags (t-shirt type material) and rinse the rag, changing the pinesol/water solution often. (09/04/2008)
By Deeli
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
I agree that the Awesome cleaner is great for everything, its a degreaser. Also, and I love the Mr Clean Eraser, really removes scuff marks and ground in dirt on appliances etc. If you have a handheld steam cleaner, that works very well, my friend used one to clean a bathroom, she removed wallpaper with it, she used the window squeegy tool. (09/05/2008)
By busybeaver87
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
I love Awesome, but know that it will take paint off. Thanks for all the ideas, will give them a try. (09/05/2008)
By jmz2005
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
I have this wonderful cleaner that I use for everything as well and it has not taken off our paint...not sure about wallpaper though. It is known as Greased Lightning and is absolutely AMAZING! I believe it is also a degreaser. I get it at Walmart. Also Home Depot and Kmart carry it. It comes in both a spray bottle and large refill jug although the refill jug is sometimes tough to find. Good luck and I would check that landlord tenant law referenced above I believe they most certainly DO have to completely clean a place before new people move in. You might want to check with the health department too especially if you have children. Good luck. (09/06/2008)
By Ria
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
TSP is a a cleaner it comes in a box you get at hardware stores. It really cleans the sticky nicotine off. You mix it in bucket with water and use a rag type mop to wipe walls then hand scrub other areas. My friend is a super smoker (uggh and eww) and will NOT open windows so once a year she cleans her walls with this TSP (09/06/2008)
By meoowmom
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
Ok, so after reading this thread. Is it TPS, TCP, or TSP? I've seen it on here all 3 ways.
I also have the nicotine on walls problem and want to go into a store knowing what I want without sounding stupid.
Editor's Note: I believe it is TSP, Trisodium Phosphate. They no longer sell it in some places because it is a phosphate soap so causes algae in fresh water. They do have TSP substitutes though. (10/08/2008)
By Susan
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
Scrubbing Bubbles bathroom cleaner! I know it sounds funny BUT IT WORKS! (12/15/2008)
By Amy
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Request: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
Archived on 09/04/2008
My mom is buying a double wide in wonderful condition EXCEPT the previous occupants were heavy smokers (as in put one out, light one up). We didn't realize that the walls were coated in nicotine - how do you get it off? I had been wiping the walls with a cleaner thinking I was getting them clean - not so. Please help!
Dab from TN
Answers:
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
Depending on the color and texture of the walls, either "clorox clean-up" spray will make it come off on color fast walls, or vinegar on a cotton cloth should make it come right off. It's worked for me! Good luck, Lynda (01/15/2002)
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
Simple green and lots of elbow grease, and if that doesn't work try bleach - Mara (01/17/2002)
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
Here's a recipe for an extra strength household floor and wall cleaner that works good on nicotine. 1 gallon hot water 1/2 cup of 20 Mule Team Borax 1/2 teaspoon liquid dish detergent (Dawn cuts grease and would work well for the stains) 1 tablespoon ammonia Use gloves because it will be a dirty job. Rinse your sponge, mop or cloth often in clean water before dipping back into the cleaner so that you won't just be spreading the stuff back on. If you have a sponge or mop with a scrubbie attached all the better. Make sure you rinse the wall well after washing to get off what has been loosened. It does clean it off.
Another thing that works is straight rubbing alcohol on a sponge but because it is a large job I wouldn't recommend it except for stubborn spots. If you decide to repaint instead of cleaning, first paint with KILZ. It will seal in the stains so they won't bleed through the new paint job. -- Susan (01/17/2002)
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
I found that Mr.Clean full strength will take it off quite quickly. I used rubber gloves and an old facecloth, lots of clear hot water to rinse with. Start at bottom and work up though, cause if it runs through the unclean portion,it will leave streaks that will be very hard to scrub off. I'm going back tomorrow with a sponge mop to see if I can clean up a larger area with less scrubbing. (05/17/2002)
By vlgilvear
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
I have found that Windex works great also. I use it all the time for my small clean ups as well as my big ones. It's a great grease cutter. For big jobs I buy the big jugs. Pour it into a bucket & use a rag or sponge. It's a good cleaner for the outside of the refrigerator also. (03/01/2003)
By Sharonx6
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
The best cleaner for nicotine is no scrubbing, just spray and watch it run.(mean green) sold at all dollar generals and dollar tree stores. (05/08/2004)
By shawn
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
I have found that bathroom cleaner works GREAT. I use it for everything. When my pets use to pee in the floor I would get the bathroom cleaner and spray some on it and then scrub. Works wonders. Gets finger prints and dirt off the wall also. (05/20/2004)
By Brit
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
Best solution: paint the walls. It is the easiest and produces the best results. Oh, and stop smoking in the room :) If painting is out of the question, laundry detergent, one scoop in a two gallon pail works well.
Regards. (01/29/2005)
By Rick
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
Mr. clean magic eraser with elbow grease works great. My daughter moved into a new place and the walls were awful. She tried everything and got out the trusty eraser and poof nicotine was gone (05/02/2005)
By merrie
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
We just bought our first home. It is 40 years old and filled with 40 years of nicotine covering the walls. I found that spraying fantastic cleaner directly on wall and using wall mop and bucket with water was the only way to break down the nicotine and draw it out of the walls. You will probably need to do this more than once (depending on how bad walls/ceiling are). (06/02/2005)
By Jada
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
Use 1 cup vinegar and 1 gallon warm water with a wash cloth. Vinegar cuts through just about anything.
(10/20/2005)
By shelley
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
TCP from most any paint store. Works wonders and safe to use.
Old Painter (10/31/2005)
By Skip
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
After cleaning the walls (I used Murphy's soap spray), then we called in Service Master. They fogged the house and it's guaranteed for ever. Ours also was a double wide with the furniture. Some way you need to get the smell out of furniture and carpeting. Servicemaster did that for us. We needed one return trip after about 6 weeks. Really works! (10/31/2005)
By Marylin
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
Hi Dab, let me say this first, my friend has a double wide and NO ONE smoked in her home, her walls still yellowed! She called the mobile home place where she bought the double wide and was asking them about what to do short of painting and they told her it was from the formaldehyde they spray on the walls, counters, etc. to keep the shine on them. When we bought our mobile home the smell from the formaldehyde was so strong we had to let it air for TWO WEEKS before we could move in. It made me and our kids throw up. But any way, that is what they told her, and our walls did the same thing after a couple of years. We primered the walls with Oops! and then painted the color we wanted. Everything is fine now! Good luck. It is frustrating I know. (10/31/2005)
By Michele
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
My friend smoked and never opened a window. We cleaned yellowed walls with cleaner called TSP found in Home Depot or store like that hardware stores carry it too. Also air it out after and use vinegar in cleaning carpets and floors
good luck. (10/31/2005)
By meoowmom
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
Use TSP you get at hardware stores and hot water and gloves. I used this on walls in a very old home that was 60 yrs plus old and the walls hadn't been washed for 10 yrs. I washed them and then rinsed and it was just like a new paint job had been done. The walls were dark yellow almost brown when we were done they were beautiful white walls. Have used nothing else for years on a lot of other things Very inexpensive around $8 for a 7 lb box. use use 1/4 to 1/2 cup per gal water app. I adjusted to fit the stain on the walls. (11/01/2005)
By Louise
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
I bought a house that had less than desirable occupants in it, needless to say, there was a lot of illegal activity going on in it so they nailed blankets over the windows and then no less than ten people chained smoked in it. I started to rehab and found that paint will not stick to nicotine, it had stained the walls, the fridge and the oven hood. After several attempts to get the stuff off the walls, I found three things work.
Ammonia and water, but open the windows! TSP and a magic eraser for surfaces such as appliances. It worked and I can now say after the rehabbing my house is clear of nicotine.
I hope this helps! Sarah (11/02/2005)
By Sarah
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
Scrubbing bubbles. spray and watch the dirt run down the wall. (11/02/2005)
By keligator
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
I use a mixture of hot water, vinegar, and simple green and it took it right off the interior of my work van. Open all doors because it will be hard to breathe real quick. God Bless You. (02/11/2006)
By scott
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
I have got and old dresser, chest, and head board. They are yellow from the Nicotine I have use all kinda things on it and BAM works the best but it is not getting it any help? (03/27/2006)
By crystal
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
I have tried, ammonia, vinegar, bleach, tsp. and the only thing that will take it off. Bleach and hot water is the only thing that I have found that will take off nicotine, cigarette smoke off walls. (03/31/2006)
By mary Olson
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
The best and cheapest thing to get nicotine off anything like wood, glass, walls etc. is rubbing alcohol. I hope you see this, it really really works! (05/02/2006)
By Shelley L. in CA
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
My husband and i bought a house where the original owners smoked for 40 years. So we did a bunch of research to find out what kind of paint primer, and cleaners to use. My husband was at the hardware store buying B-I-N ( a heavy duty paint primer) and he ran into a professional painter who told him not to bother cleaning the walls as it just spreads the nicotine around and makes it worse. So he recommended just using B-I-N to paint over it. Saved us a ton of work and it works like a charm. You can paint anything with it and the nicotine doesn't leak through, which is great considering we have to paint almost everything in the house :) We read plenty of reviews that also say B-I-N works better then Kilz. Please make sure to where a gas mask or that your house is very well ventilated before using it. (05/20/2006)
By deeches
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
As a landlord I have had two serious cases of houses occupied by hard smokers for years. I tried TSP but it still left a yellow stain. Now I use Tilex and it works very well. I don't know if it is cleaning better or cleaning and bleaching the stain but the results are very good. It might save you one coat of painting. Wear old clothes as the drips will bleach whatever you have on. (02/01/2007)
By Dan
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
I am testing everything. Seems to me that oxi-clean is doing the best job, thus far. (04/11/2007)
By cindi
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
I know this is an old post, but hopefully someone will find it of some help. I looked at this post earlier today to get some ideas and I took a shopping list of all the things mentioned here for removing nicotine stains. While at Dollar Tree, I came across "LA's Totally Awesome All Purpose Concentrated Cleaner" and figured I'd try it. It was only $1, so I wouldn't be out much if it didn't work. Plus it is concentrated, so if I generously cut it in half, I'd get twice as much. Wow! I was very impressed. The bottles says to use full strength for nicotine, but I diluted it 2 parts cleaner to 1 part water in a spray bottle, sprayed it on and watched the nicotine gunk roll off the woodwork. (Turn on the vent and/or open the windows for ventilation, and make sure you don't get the mist in your eyes or nose. Just for safety) and wipe down with paper towels and then follow with a damp rag. (Put an old towel or something absorbent on the floor to catch the drips.) I don't think I would try it on painted walls at 2:1 as I noticed that where the spray got on my semi-gloss paint it kinda took the gloss down (on the drywall, woodwork looks great), but this can probably be avoided by applying with a rag instead of a sprayer. Also worked great on my kitchen cabinets. I'll definitely keep this in stock under the kitchen sink and let this be my #1 cleaner. I haven't been this excited about a cleaning product since I bought my first Magic Eraser! (11/16/2007)
By Guest
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
I heard that vanilla and water will take the smell of nicotine off walls. (02/14/2008)
By Lisa
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
Many years ago we moved into an apartment with tan walls in living room & a heavy smoke odor throughout. Kitchen was AWFUL. I bought every cleaner known to exist that I could find. Nothing worked. Then one day, I tried something my mother used to use. I bought a small box of Arm & Hammer WASHING SODA and some vinegar. Just dumped about a cup of vinegar and a handful of the washing soda in a bucket and added hot water. (Later found some great recipes for these cleaning jobs in a book called "Mary Ellen's Helpful Hints." I then dampened a rag, and went into the living room, where I swiped the rag just above a heat register in the wall. It was MAGIC! And the wall was not tan, it was a pretty pale green. My only problem was this one clean spot was in full view so I had to do the whole HUGE room. Took me a week, after working a job all day, but what a difference. The owner thought I had painted. (He had refused to do so.) You don't have to scrub hard but do have to change the water often, or rinse rag in another bucket before putting it back in the cleaning solution. That stuff turns the water black in no time! (03/20/2008)
By gigi
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
If you paint over nicotine its just going to come threw it make your walls look dirty again. Better to wash them, the mean green is a good cleaner takes it off like magic, and if you have off white walls it's good. Bleach doesn't eat the paint away. Bleach just discolors the nicotine, not washes it off. Just use any purpose cleaner, hot water, and arm muscle will get your walls clean. (07/05/2008)
By bigmamma
RE: Cleaning Nicotine off Walls
Cleaning solution called awesome sold at dollar general stores work really well also. (08/28/2008)
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