Getting Rid of Signs of Nicotine and Marijuana Damage

We’ve all experienced the distinct smell of cigarettes in homes whose walls, ceilings, and floors have absorbed nicotine smoke for an extended period. It's unpleasant!

You may have encountered it with the move of a relative who smoked for 20+ years or with the purchase of a home with yellowed walls and an overpowering odor. Or perhaps a tenant moved out and left an apartment filled with this awful smell.  We can help!

But did you know you can actually eliminate smoking odor from your home?

What types of damage does nicotine and marijuana cause?

Smoke from these substances can leave yellow stains on your walls, which is no wonder given their ingredients..

Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 different chemicals, including more than 400 toxins, (43 of them cancer-causing), plus nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, ammonia, arsenic, and DDT. A comprehensive list of ingredients is found on the packaging; looking at it can be pretty overwhelming. As a user exhales, the cigarette emits yellow-brown smoke, mainly from tar and nicotine. When the substance is emitted into the air, smoke particles settle on objects and surfaces. Lightly-colored items especially can’t hide this staining and over time will become increasingly discolored.



The staining is one problem, but smoke from cigarettes and marijuana can also cause strong, lingering odors. As a smoker accustomed to this odor, you may be unaware of its strength, so asking a nonsmoker to smell the area will assist you in knowing if this is an issue.

Can I remedy this problem on my own?

It depends on the level of damage and odor. Taking on cleaning a nicotine-filled house can feel like an impossible task. While it may be tempting to paint over the surfaces, this is a terrible idea, as nicotine bleeds through paint when covered. Short cuts are ineffective.

An apartment I moved into a few years back had this problem in its bathroom. Every time I would shower, yellow sticky drip marks would appear. They hadn’t thoroughly removed the nicotine film, so the smell remained until the particles were removed.



When it comes to the odor in particular, there are a few things you can do on your own to get your house smelling fresh again.

At-Home Steps to remove smoke odor

Ventilation

This initial step involves introducing fresh air into your home to rid it of smoke odor. Open windows and doors in each room to enhance the ventilation in the various rooms. Then add a circulating fan and turn on any ceiling fans.

Wash clothing and accessories

Throw any items that can be washed, such as clothing, cushions, curtains, or bedding, into the washing machine. By adding one cup of baking soda to the wash water, you may increase the effect of your detergent. And then, if possible, let the wet wash air dry on a line.



If one washing is insufficient to get rid of the smell, repeat as necessary before machine drying.

Get rid of ash

Remove any ashes from ashtrays and other containers, as even cold ashes can emit odor.

Use baking soda

Dry baking soda should be sprinkled over carpets and upholstered furniture. Utilizing a soft-bristled brush, carefully blend it in. Let it sit for a day, and then vacuum it off.

Use vinegar

Vinegar can aid in odor absorption, so placing small bowls of it around your home can be very helpful. You can also add in a little lemon juice to sweeten the smell. Additionally, you can try sprinkling vinegar on a towel and moving it around the room for a while to get rid of cigarette smoke smells more quickly.

Rinse walls

Your walls may have also absorbed some of the smell, so it's a good idea to give them a rinse.

First remove any dust with a microfiber duster. Then make a mixture of either all-purpose cleaner and baking soda or a mixture of water, white vinegar, and dishwashing liquid. Wash your walls with this solution using a sponge or soft towel. Then rinse again with clean water.

Vacuum and steam the carpet

To remove dust and grime, thoroughly vacuum the carpet or rug. When you're finished using a vacuum that has a disposable bag, throw it in the trash to prevent the scents from spreading.



You can use baking soda on your carpet as well, just spread some across your floor; let it sit for a day, and then vacuum it up.

If the odor has deeply penetrated your carpet, you may try steaming it.

We can help with lingering odor and smoke damage.

Try these steps to get rid of any odor, but if you need additional help with cigarette smoke damage, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

Our expertly-trained technicians are pros at the process of nicotine removal. Our lead technician Kristina has over 20 years of experience and expertise in cleaning smoke, fire, and nicotine damage.

 Kristina’s team consistently achieves a high level of customer feedback. If you or anyone you know needs our expertise, you will not be disappointed.

Contact us to start working with Kristina today!