Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
We just found out from our next door neighbor that the people who rented the mobile home we just moved into this February were smokers. We got sick to our stomachs because this is the 5th time we moved due to horrible smokers in apartments. When I wipe the walls with a damp tissue there is a yellow stain on it. We're thinking maybe its the cheap paneling or it could be from the smokers. We want to clean the walls (big house) and want to use the best stuff. From what I read vinegar and water or Murphy's Oil Soap are both good. Which one should I use for the walls? I will have to do one room at a time.
activated charcoal and vinegar will both neutralize the smell
you can purchase activated charcoal here: www.amazon.com/
and as far as vinegar, just leave them in an enclosed space with an open dish of white vinegar (make sure that it cannot fall over!) for a day or so. This should help dissipate.
I would also give enzymatic cleaners a try. These cleaners use enzymes to break up the organic matter that causes the smell.
You can buy one here www.chewy.com/
or, if you have brown sugar, citrus peels and a lot of time on your hands, you can make your own: www.wikihow.com/
Baking soda will get rid of nicotine stains and odor.
Where do I buy ammonia?
By Joel R.
I get mine at the super market in the aisle with cleaning and laundry supplies.
Dollar store! Or any grocery store in the cleaning product aisle.
How do you clean nicotine from walls?
By BHB from PDX
In order to clean nicotine from walls try using Vinegar with water or Bleach with water to remove stains. If this does not work you might have to repaint.
Tough Stuff foam cleaner works great
I am cleaning out the home of a dear friend who recently passed away. He smoked for many, many years. I have had the walls cleaned, Kilzed and repainted and the carpets cleaned. I am now trying to figure out how to clean the wall plugs and light switches.
I bought new plates to go around them, but don't want to have to hire an electrician to come in and replace the actual plugs and light switches. Help! I have to have the house ready to go on the market in 3 weeks.I'm not sure it's necessary to replace the plugs and switches unless nicotine is causing them not to work properly. I'd suggest just surface cleaning them with something dry like a stain eraser and just changing the plates, unless you have reason to believe nicotine is making them unsafe to use.
I just rented a home which was inhabited by smokers. I read about removing nicotine from walls. However, what is the best solution for cleaning wood trim and interior doors?
By Jeannie from Pekin, IL
Try Oxyclean with hot water! Must Sit for up to 10 Minutes! Also; 'Beekeepers Friend'; and 'Simple Green'; and for detailed work hydrogen peroxide!
How do I wash walls with heavy cigarette smoke?
By Andrea L.
How can I remove nicotine stains from walls to prepare for repainting?
By Sharon E. from Louisville, MS
The only thing I have ever found that works effectively is dishwasher detergent dissolved in water. Or you can use a regular cleaner such as Mr. Clean or Lysol in water with a little bleach added to the water. Good luck. Hope you enjoy your new colors!
Editor's Note: Be very cautious when mixing cleaners together, especially those containing chlorine or bleach. You can accidentally create a toxic gas that can be extremely harmful.
I have lots of nic traps (bric-a-brac) throughout my home and have to clean these items of yellowing/browning that gets sticky once wet. When dry you only notice the discoloring. Anyway, great advice from you on walls. I tried the ones I did not know about with excellent results. Can you help with my nic traps or do I just purchase stock in water and soap lol.
By toe knee
Bric-a-brac can go in a dishwasher, unless it's something with fabric on it. I wash light fixtures and anything else that requires thorough cleaning in my dishwasher; it cleans in all the nooks and crannies that would otherwise use up time and old toothbrushes.
I live in an apartment that was smoked in a lot, you can see where the picture's used to hang on the walls. I have heard of products like T.S.P., and I do not want to use anything that is harmful to the environment. So any suggestions that any of you out there have would be appreciated. Thank you.
By Carrie L.
Vinegar mixed with water is a great way to clean and deodorise at the same time. It works a treat on nicotine! Half water-half white vinegar in a bucket and use a sponge or dishtowel to wipe away the ick. The vinegar smell will dissipate taking any odor with it.
I just purchased an old home with old wood paneling that reeks of nicotine. What is the best way to clean it?
By Donna G
I have done an entire home that was suppose to be white but it was literally yellow with dripping nicotine :P So there is really no easy way but if you get a good scrub brush a bucket and some water/bleach solution it will come off nicely and smell much better. It does take some elbow grease but produces nice results.
What is the best and easiest way to clean cigarette smoke off of walls?
By Bob
What product will clean nicotine of walls the best?
By jrp
How do I clean cigarette stain off walls and woodwork?
By David
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
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.
I have purchased a mobile home to rent. The walls are stained with nicotine.
I rented a home where we all smoked for ten years and the walls were terribly stained. I used bleach as well as many different things.
I have just done a test with several different cleaners including TSP and the only one that really does the job is Scrubbing Bubbles.
Scrubbing Bubbles is great for cleaning walls. It melts away the nicotine too. Spray on, wait 1 minute and wipe off with paper towels.
I know someone out there knows the answer to this. We are moving into a place where the person was a heavy smoker.
I am purchasing a new home where there were obviously heavy smokers in the house for a long long time. The walls are plaster!
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
