the stench of cigarette smoke

[Returning2thesceneofthecrime]

We have to move due to the landlord selling (and in the process seriously pissing me off).

The perfect place belongs to a serious smoker who has just been moved into a care home.

Is it possible to get rid of the stench of cigarette smoke? And if so, how?

It is a rental, so not willing to replace carpets. It has just been repainted so it was filled with a fresh paint smell on Saturday but was like an ashtray when I went back today. Any words of wisdom?

See if the landlord will clean the carpets.

They have already been cleaned!

The apartment is in great condition, freshly painted, well looked after. It is just the smoke smell that has now become apparent.

If carpet cleaning hasn’t worked, is there anything that will?

Try posting this in Housekeeping, not Relationships.
You might get more answers there.

It is in housekeeping. Isn’t it?

My first thought is baking soda. Sprinkle it all over the carpets and leave overnight, then vacuum it up. It might need to be done a few times to get rid of all the smell.

It is in housekeeping on my screen.

I think over time with lots of airing and replacement smells (e.g your cooking, washing powder, bubble bath and perfume type smells in the house) that it will lessen...

But no overall I don't think it will go without being stripped back and replaced really. And if the walls were nicotine stained that might well bleed back thorough the paint quite quickly.

My sister bought a bungalow which had belonged to chain smokers, they did all the redocaration and new carpets etc but it still smelt of smoke. Eventually they had to have the whole place replastered. Sorry not the message you want to hear. Maybe some expensive room fragrances / incense burners will mask it for a while., and keep the windows open.

When my PILs both went into a care home we rented out their property to help with the care home fees. My FIL was a heavy smoker and the place reeked of smoke. In the end we literally had to strip everything out, carpets, curtains, the flooring in the kitchen and repainted everywhere. We even replaced the kitchen (which to be fair was also falling apart) but it was also nicotine stained.

I think the only way you will get rid of the smell is to strip everything right back I'm afraid.

Oh dear! That is really not what I wanted to hear but it is good to know before we sign a lease. I guess I will keep on looking because there is no way I could live with the smell. Thanks to all of you for the warning.

Forgot to add that the nicotine’s staining did come back through the new paint, even a stain block, and that’s why eventually they had to have the whole place replastered, after living there for well over a year. You are wise to keep looking.

@BobbyBanana this is in Housekeeping. I think you're probably on the wrong thread!

I wouldn't risk it. Not in a rental.

Maybe this might work:
Ozium Smoke & Odors Eliminator Gel. Home, Office and Car Air Freshener 4.5oz (127g), Original Scent Size: Single https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008XNZZ7O/ref=cmswwrcppapiii_LGNdCbGFENP31

We bought a house owned by chain smokers. Theee years later it's finally smelling nice. We've had to replace carpets, sugarsoap everything, repaint with (expensive) zinnzer paint underneath to stop the nicotine staining through. Nightmare. Don't do it!

Just a little update and another thank you. We have just paid the deposit for the another apartment in the same complex (with a better layout) and smoke free! Thanks for the earlier advice - I kept on looking because of it and found something better. We paid the deposit immediately because I don’t want this one to slip away!

Good news OP. Enjoy your new home.