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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Stale fag smell how to get rid?

16 replies

sauvignonblacks · 25/04/2014 23:16

New to MN and wondered if anyone had a tried and tested methods of removing the smell of fags from storage cupboards
We recently renovated a property did everything from plastering to changing switches and sockets. Unfortunately two cupboards, one under the stairs and one in the dining room absolutely reek of the previous owners stale cigarette smoke. Both have been painted but still stink when opened. What can I do? It's making me paranoid about the smell of the rest of house! Blush

OP posts:
sauvignonblacks · 26/04/2014 11:01

Bump

OP posts:
FuckYouChrisAndThatHorse · 26/04/2014 11:03

Sorry, no advice, but I'd like to know too. Two cupboards stink, and also have a cheap second hand car that smells as well.

pudseypie · 26/04/2014 17:49

I remember moving house as a teenager and the whole house reeking of the previous owners cigarette smoke. My dm ended up scrubbing all the walls with sugar soap before painting them, it seemed to work

caz1010 · 26/04/2014 18:00

Bizarre, but cheap idea my nana swears by. . .
put a slice of bread in the cupboard, change every other day and eventually it should absorb the smell.
Good luck Grin

sauvignonblacks · 26/04/2014 18:05

Will try the bread idea thanks! I've already had a bowl of vinegar inside the dining room cupboard which has made it slightly more tolerable but it's still smelly ??

OP posts:
caz1010 · 26/04/2014 19:13

if the bread doesn't work bicarbonate soda in a bowl may do the trick.
any one getting the impression I moved into a smelly house Grin

superram · 26/04/2014 19:16

Doesn't an onion or lemon cut in half absorb smells? -maybe paint smells but cheap enough to try?

ZingWatermelon · 26/04/2014 20:05

I used to put stinky clothes on tje radiator at night - fag smell was gone by the morning.
tumble dryer worked too when I tried

so perhaps you could try blowing hot air into cupboards with a hairdryer?

PigletJohn · 26/04/2014 23:03

leave it open to air

washing things down helps, the smell seems to be carried away as the water dries. Even a garden sprayer with half a drop of WUL in warm water helps. But this is easier before you redecorate.

ZingWatermelon · 26/04/2014 23:13

ooh, how about Febreeze?

that should work

Rinkydinkypink · 27/04/2014 15:46

We've had to scrub everything down and repaint. Been in house a month and the smell is almost gone.

Lift flooring out of cupboards and leave the doors open. Wash down everything and loads of fresh air!

deepinthewoods · 27/04/2014 15:53

Leave a bowl of charcoal in the cupboard- it will absorb odours- BBQ stuff is fine.
Leave the door of the cupboard open as much as possible.

caz1010 · 28/04/2014 12:25

Wondered how it's going ? or is the cupboard too full of bread, bicarbonate, charcoal and what not to stick your head in and sniff Grin

e1y1 · 28/04/2014 20:31

Grin Caz

sauvignonblacks · 29/04/2014 16:32

Haha Caz
I've aired it out and stuck a netrodol in one and a slice of bread in the other I'm pleased to say they're doing Ok just brought an ambi pur to sweeten the air when the cupboards open though. They really do hum
Thanks for all the suggestions ladies

OP posts:
tdoff5 · 17/05/2014 06:47

I know someone who had a similar problem and used a special machine from a company called OHT Solutions. Swore by it. Probably can be googled.

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