Nicotine staining on ceilings

[CherryChoc]

We live in a rented house which our landlord bought in a horrible state and did up. The previous owners used to smoke heavily so the ceilings were nicotine-stained. Our landlord painted over them, but now it is seeping through, and looks really depressing.

Do you know whether it would be possible to clean them at all? Has it actually "seeped through" ie if I cleaned them would it work, or is it just showing through, ie if I clean the (gloss) paint, it won't have any effect as it is like a barrier over the nicotine.

If I can't clean it off, is there anything that can be done or is it a case of just repainting again and again now it's been done once?

Have you tried sugar soap to clean it off? ours were really bad when we moved in, walls and ceilings were dark brown but that seemed to get rid of the most part, tho did paint it afterwards. painted the bathroom ceiling and that seeped through with nicotine, but dont kno if that ws where it hadnt been cleaned well or more due to becoming moist as the batheroom extractor didnt work.

I`m sure my sister used bicarbonate soda and warm water for this.