Removing nicotine stains is a big job and requires a good approach. This stains forms after long-term smoking in the home. It is visible through yellowing of walls, ceilings, doors, window frames and textiles. Nicotine stains or smoke stains are very persistent and can easily come back if not removed properly. Also, the smell is unpleasant and can linger for a long time. In this blog, I explain the best way to remove nicotine deposits, including tips to get rid of the smoke smell.
Supplies
- Green soap (for example, St.Marc)
- Brush
- Hot water
- Gloves, goggles and mouth mask
- Insulating paint
- Verspullen
- Stairs
Removing nicotine stains from walls and ceiling
Often nicotine deposits are most visible on the walls and ceiling. We wet clean these surfaces, using a professional cleaning agent specifically designed to loosen nicotine and smoke residue. The deposits are not only removed, but truly detached from the surface. This also removes the odor and grease residue. Afterwards, we always rinse the surface with clean water.
If you want to do this yourself at home, you can make a suds of warm water with a degreaser such as St. Marc. Use a large sponge or brush to thoroughly scrub off the scale. Afterwards, always rinse the walls and ceiling with clean water. Always work from top to bottom: first the ceiling and then the walls. The yellowing will immediately become less visible. It cannot become completely white anymore, for that it has to be repainted with special insulating paint.
Tip: While scrubbing the ceiling, a lot of dirt can still drip down. Therefore, it is important to put on old clothes, and I can also definitely recommend goggles and caps.
Nicotine stain removal from doors and frames
Nicotine deposits are also always highly visible on doors and window frames. This requires a similar approach. For this, I also make a suds with warm water and green soap. Then with a sponge or brush I scrub all surfaces well. I then finish with clean water and let it dry. After this I do zenog light sanding and repaint with insulating paint or varnish.
Removing nicotine deposits from curtains and textiles
Textiles absorb nicotine very quickly. As a result, curtains, sofas, rugs and other types of furniture often start to smell very much like smoke. To make this smell less, it must be thoroughly washed or cleaned, for example, with a steam cleaner. Several cleaning sessions may be necessary for this. There are also special textile sprays that can remove smoke odors, such as those from HG.
Nicotine stains over painting
Note that you cannot simply paint over nicotine stains without cleaning first! Nicotine stains are very stubborn. Before painting, a thorough cleaning should be done as explained above. This is because nicotine stains are very greasy, which prevents the paint from adhering properly. Therefore, it is important to degrease everything first. If this process is not followed, there is a chance that the stains will quickly return.
It is also important that you proceed with the right agents, such as insulating paint (isotex). This is specially designed for repainting stains such as nicotine deposits. Personally, I often use insulating paint from Brander.
How do you get the smell of smoke out of your home?
Getting the smell of smoke out of your home can be tricky. This is because the smell soaks into everything, think textiles, furniture, walls and even the floor. Prolonged ventilation often works best, but often that alone is not enough. Everything needs to be thoroughly cleaned or possibly even replaced. With a thorough approach, you can often succeed in getting the odor completely or almost completely out of your home.
Tips to get the smell of smoke out of your home
- Open windows and doors for long periods of time for ventilation
- Use an air purifier
- Clean furniture, carpets and other items thoroughly (or replace them)
- Wash or steam curtains or other textiles thoroughly
- Use an odor eater
Need help removing nicotine residue?
Removing nicotine deposits can be quite a job and is more than just cleaning. And if not done properly, it can easily come back. That’s why people often choose to outsource this to a professional. JHC house clearance has extensive experience with this and I can personally help you get nicotine deposits out of your home. Please contact me for a free quote.
