How To Remove Cigarette Smoke Odors From A House
Scott P. Rogers
I have shown a few houses lately to buyers where we couldn't help but notice a lingering cigarette smoke odor in the home. That smell was not the only factor that kept these buyers from making an offer on these houses -- but it certainly was a part of the discussion and decision.
So how in the world do you get a pervasive cigarette smoke smell out of a house?
I'm not an expert, but my understanding is that you may need to consider some or all of these techniques:
- replace all carpet in the home
- re-paint the interior of the home, possibly first with a KILZ primer that will block odors
- clean the air ducts in the home
Even if you take all of those (not inexpensive) steps above, you may still have some lingering smells -- and if you do, you probably shouldn't be entirely surprised.
You might then consider using an ozone generator which can help eliminate odors. If you're going this route, you'll likely want to consult with a professional.
In the end -- if you are considering the purchase of a home that has a pervasive smell of cigarette smoke, don't assume that it will be easy or inexpensive to remove that odor!
