How to get rid of smell of smoke?

[shell96]

We had a lodger who lived in our spare room for years and moved out last weekend (we are having a baby and needed the extra space). He was a smoker and always smoked in there until late last year when told him he had to stop because of my pregnancy.

We are now decorating his room (not for baby - it will be an office but we plan on sticking a single bed in for visitors) and even after scrubbing walls, ripping out carpet, curtains, skirting boards, door surrounds (and doors too will be replaced) and putting two coats of paint on walls and roof (its getting another two today) it still stinks of smoke.

Short of leaving the window wide open to air the room (which we have done) does anyone have any ideas how we can get rid of the smell. Preferably not expensive shop bought air fresheners - trying to save cash for arrival of baby! I am a non smoker so particularly notice the smell of stale smoke. Thanks

the airwick air fresheners that either plug into wall or the free standing ones are good they release a spray of air freshener every 9 or 18 mins you can set it to te time you want and it leaves a lovely smell

Cut up a few apples and leave them on a plate in the room with the window open.

It really helps with 'fresh' smoke, I'm not sure on years of smoke build up but may be worth a try!

I've heard little bowls of vinegar help to absorb/get rid of the smell. Haven't tried it yet myself, but we've got same problem with the new house we bought. They smoked in every room and you can see tar residue around the light switches!

And there's a burn mark in the PVC window frame in the separate toilet....can't believe someone was so addicted they had to take their smokes in there!!

Yeah i never realised how much our lodger smoked until we told him he had to go outside to do it - he used to get up in the morning and go outside in his pyjamas to have a cigarette and then go back to bed. How can you be so desperate for it to do that?! The light fitting in his room is brown with tar! Yeuch

Thanks for all the tips though. Will give them a go.