How to Permanently Eliminate Cigarette Smoke Smell from Walls

Cigarette smoke can leave behind an unpleasant stale odor that lingers in walls long after the last cigarette was smoked. The discoloration and film from tar and nicotine staining walls an unsightly yellowish-brown tint doesn't help either. If you've recently quit smoking or moved into a home with smoke-damaged walls, you probably want to know how to get rid of that stubborn cigarette smell for good. While cigarette smoke residues can be challenging to remove completely, with the right supplies and techniques, you can eliminate smoker odors from walls and restore a fresh, clean scent.

With some diligent scrubbing and sealing, you can tackle the tobacco stench and stains. Soon, you'll be enjoying smoke-free walls that look and smell as good as new.

Supplies Needed

Removing cigarette smoke involves thoroughly washing walls and sealing in freshness with primer and paint. Here are some of the supplies you'll need:

• Vacuum with upholstery attachment
• Hot water
• Baking soda
• Dish soap
• White vinegar
• Spray bottles
• Clean rags
• Sponges
• Ammonia
• Lemon juice
• Vodka
• Adhesive remover
• Primer
• Paint

Preparing the Walls

Before you start washing the walls, prep them by using the vacuum upholstery attachment to remove any loose particles, dust or debris. This eliminates additional grime you'll have to clean later.

Next, mix together warm water, baking soda, and a small amount of dish soap in a bucket to create your cleaning solution. The baking soda helps absorb odors while the dish soap acts as a degreaser to cut through nicotine residue.

Test the Cleaning Solution

Before spraying down all your walls, first test the cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn't damage or discolor the paint or wallpaper.

Removing Stains

With your solution ready, work in small sections starting at the top of the wall to scrub away yellow stains and grime. Use a damp rag or sponge, rinsing it frequently as you go. Make sure to let each section dry thoroughly before moving on to prevent moisture damage.

For extra stain-fighting power, fill a spray bottle with undiluted white vinegar, ammonia or lemon juice. Lightly mist the liquid onto the affected area, let it sit for a few minutes to penetrate, then scrub with a sponge or brush. The acids in these products cut through discoloration caused by cigarette tar.

For super stubborn stains, use an adhesive remover formulated for tobacco residue prior to scrubbing. Apply a small amount directly to the stain, let it soak in for 5-10 minutes, then rub gently with a cloth.

Avoid Saturating Drywall

Take care not to oversaturate drywall when cleaning to prevent water damage. Work in small sections, allowing the wall to fully dry before moving on.

Eliminating Smoke Smell

To specifically target lingering cigarette odors, fill another spray bottle with cheap vodka mixed with warm water. Lightly spray it onto affected areas of the wall and let it completely dry. The alcohol helps dissolve stubborn smoke molecules. For the strongest possible odor removal, use it full-strength without diluting in water.

If smells persist after the vodka treatment, repeat as needed until the stench dissipates. The vodka drying process may need to be done multiple times for severe cigarette odors that have permeated deep into porous wall materials.

Spot Test Vodka Mix

Do a spot test of the vodka cleaning solution on a small area first to make sure it doesn't damage the wall color or finish.

Sealing in Freshness

Once walls are washed, stains removed and smoke neutralized, seal everything in with a coat of primer followed by new paint. The primer will act as a barrier to prevent any lingering odors from seeping back out, while fresh paint gives a clean slate and eliminates visual residue or stains.

Use an oil-based primer for the best odor blocking. Apply two coats of paint, allowing proper drying time between coats. Water-based paints like latex work well for low-odor coverage.

Matching Existing Paint

Bring a paint chip to the store when purchasing new paint to get the closest color match possible to current or original wall color.

Troubleshooting Ongoing Odors

If a light smoke scent still lingers after thoroughly cleaning and repainting the walls, the odor may have penetrated down into the sheetrock or building materials. At this point, you may need to bring in a professional for enhanced smoke removal services.

Ozone shock treatments can be used to bombard affected areas, neutralizing stubborn smoke odors at the deepest levels within walls. Encapsulation also seals in odor remnants so they can no longer escape into the air.

Identify Odor Source

Try using a smoke odor detector tool near walls to identify exactly where any lingering smells are originating from.

Preventing Future Smoke Residues

To avoid repeating this arduous wall cleaning process, take some preventative measures by establishing no smoking rules for indoor spaces. Ask smokers to step outside. Also, run air purifiers throughout your home to actively filter out smoke, keeping it from settling on walls and furnishings.

Ventilate rooms well during and after smoking by opening windows. The more stagnant the air, the more smoke residues will accumulate on wall surfaces.

It's also wise to periodically wash walls in smoking areas with soap and water to prevent heavy staining and tar buildup over time. This makes deep cleaning much easier down the road.

Alternative Wall Materials

Drywall, plaster and wallpaper absorb cigarette smoke and odors readily. For a lasting solution, consider replacing damaged walls with nonporous materials like tile, concrete, wood paneling or glass, which won't hold smells and stains.

Painting over wallpaper also traps residue underneath. Removing wallpaper entirely eliminates this concern.

When to Hire a Professional

While DIY smoke removal is possible in many cases, severe cigarette staining and odor may require calling in a professional restoration company. They have commercial-grade equipment, cleaning solutions and techniques to fully eliminate smoke damage.

Seeking professional help is smart if walls are extensively stained, DIY efforts haven't resolved smells, or if the smoke odor has permeated into wiring, ventilation or other structural elements beyond just walls. Their powerful ozone machines and encapsulation services can tackle severe smoke issues.

Maintaining Fresh Walls

Once your walls are restored to a pristine, smoke-free state, keep them that way by dusting and occasionally repainting. Use matte or eggshell paint for a breathable finish that resists trapping odors and residues.

When repainting, apply a test patch first to ensure the new paint adheres properly for an even color. With occasional upkeep and quick touch-ups, your walls will maintain a fresh, clean appearance and neutral odor.

While cigarette smoke can be challenging to remove from wall materials, with consistent cleaning efforts, odor-blocking primers and paint, you can permanently eliminate those lingering stale smoke smells. Follow the steps outlined here for scrubbing away yellow stains, deodorizing with products like vinegar and vodka, then sealing the deal with new primer and paint. With diligence and the right supplies, you'll be breathing easy with smoke-free walls once more.