Smoky house

[MaudBaileysGreenTurban]

We're gearing up to exchange on our new house in the next couple of weeks. Very exciting, and the house is really perfect for us in almost every way, except for one thing.

We went back today for a final pre-exchange visit and the place really does reek of cigarette smoke. It's pristine in terms of cleanliness - it's not as if the walls or ceilings are yellow or anything - but clearly the smell of smoke is in all the carpets etc and it is very noticeable.

Obviously, we will probably have to take all the carpets up asap (that's fine, they're not very nice anyway!) and we would be repainting etc, but has anyone got any other tips to get rid of the smell generally?

They've offered to leave all the curtains; I had to find a polite way of saying er no, we don't want your stinking curtains thank you!

Hints, hacks and tips would be very welcome. Posts simply saying 'I'd never buy a house that smelled of smoke' not so much, ta

Bumping for the OP, as I'd like to know too!
House I@m buying is ok downstairs but they haven't ventilated the loft room well, and a young guy who stays there obvs smokes.

I think a repaint and new carpets generally gets the smell out. And strip off any wallpaper too.

Does the smoke stay in the ceilings, Second? or did you mean repaint ceilings too?

Shampoo or remove carpets, redecorate and air.

Windows open as much as possible
New carpets
New curtains
Shed load of air freshener 😂

I’m a smoker BTW and I only ever smoke outside.

Honestly OP the biggest thing will be getting rid of fabrics

If I were decorating I’d sugar soap all walls beforehand.

Zinser Bin undercoat worked to block our tarry fireplace smell. Its strong stuff though so ventilate well. Their customer service dept gave good advice.

Yeah, I'd repaint the ceilings @CatAndHisKit

Will definitely help. Once the carpets out though, 90% of the smell will go with it.

Get rid of any carpets, curtains, blinds
Strip wallpapers
Sugar soap walls/ceilings/doors and frames/skirtings.
Use elbow grease on kitchen cupboards etc

Keep windows open as much as you can.
Then enjoy the new carpet and paint smell

Once the carpets out though, 90% of the smell will go with it.

That's what I'm hoping!

I've ordered a ton of bicarbonate of soda, white vinegar cleaning spray and scented candles - will have to get some sugar soap too! Good thing we're moving in the summer - no excuse not to have all the doors and windows open all day.

Prices do a scented candle called anti tobacco. Does what it says on the jar!

Great idea @Bluesheep8! Will get some of those.

Two big boxes have arrived from Wilkos this morning with all my anti-smoke goodies, including anti-smoke room spray, but I do like a scented candle so any excuse to buy more

Everything that others have written above. It will all be fine, fresh and new with time.

Even the general airing will help with windows and back doors etc open and fresh air coming into the property. Massive difference once all fabrics and carpets are out and woodwork washed with sugar soap before painting.

Sugar soap will definitely be your best friend. It'll have the tar dripping down the walls. Good luck and enjoy your new home

Sugar soap, get rid of the carpets and paint everywhere. My DM was a heavy smoker and we took everything out without painting and the smell was nowhere near as bad.

Parents did this when my grandmother moved into sheltered housing that had previously housed a smoker.

New carpets& underlay.

Wash all the walls, dry and repaint - multiple coats required. Definitely paint ceilings.

Oil soap does good job on kitchen cabinets.

Get a professional cleaner with an industrial hoover to Do behind radiators if you are not taking them off.

Redo gloss work. (Though that could be the state of it.)

In Scotland got the whole lot done “neutral” by a painter and decorator for minimal interaction for £5k including organising the cleaning and carpets as parents were remote.

Promised a smoke free home - was important as my grandmother gave 25 years before m and really didn’t want to leave her home - especially to somewhere Smokey!

We bought a house previously owned by chain smoker. The walls had yellow gunk that we believe was from years’ worth of fag smoke. We chucked out all carpets and fabrics, employed a guy to sugar soap all walls and surfaces. Sanded and sealed the wood floors. I can honestly say after all that there was zero smoke smell left and it was a lovely happy house for us.

OP are you sure the smell is from the house and not seeping in from next door?

@youshouldbeplotting

OP are you sure the smell is from the house and not seeping in from next door?

It's detached, so yeah, pretty sure!

MaudBaileysGreenTurban