[ECHOES]

I am moving (and very depressed about it) and the apartment was evidentally occupied by heavy smokers, maybe for years, maybe who never left the apartment at all or ever opened a window, maybe 20-30 smokers from the smell of it.

I just celebrated 4 years smoke free.
I don't want to live in this stink.

The walls have been painted, the carpeting replaced. A couple light fixtures need to be cleaned.

How do I deorderize? Do you have any good ideas?

[Christina86]

http://www.getridofthings.com/get-ri...moke-smell.htm
http://www.howtogetridofstuff.com/od...ll-in-a-house/

These two offer pretty good advice I think... perhaps you could also mask the smell by using a room deodorizer (like Lysol, Febreeze etc) or by creating your own (there are a couple of websites I found via Google where you can make your own).

Beyond that, you could use scented candles or potpourri or anything else with a scent to cover up the smell as well.

But my best suggestion would be to air out the place for some time - open windows and in time the smell should dissipate.

[deliquesce]

hey sweetie.

googled this link for you - it has a few good ideas in it that might help?

http://www.getridofthings.com/get-ri...moke-smell.htm

eta: christina beat me to it!

[Rhapsody]

I would suggest FEBREZE - I have many different kinds of animals and I use this product every other day in and around the house to keep my home smelling good.

[ECHOES]

I'm feeling hopeful about this now--Thank you so much for taking the time to read and reply.

deli & Christina, that was a good and useful article. Vinegar sounds like a good idea as well as Febreeze, Rhapsody. Even if the Febreeze doesn't remove the source, it will sure help during the process of getting rid of the source.

I talked to my sister who suggested amonia with lemon, especially to clean the window screens. The patio screen was full of holes & rips so I'm making them replace that; apparently they had a dog too from the height of those areas of damage. But luckily I don't smell any animal smell. I have a cat and I never have animal smell thanks to scooping the litter box every day and discovering the Indoor variety of Science Diet cat food--$$$!!, but it nearly eliminates litter box odor.

Wow, I feel so much better now that I have a plan and options and it looks like it might be possible to eliminate this old closed up smokey smell. Luckily it is not blistering hot here yet so I can open it up some too.

Thank you all again

[Mouse_]

Scented candles!!! and WTG on doing such a major thing and surving it, ie moving, I would end up curled in a corner crying from all the disturbence off it all!!

[ECHOES]

Well thanks. I am in a major meltdown, but I have to do it regardless.

I have been house-sitting and so now at least I won't have realtors calling any time of day to say they will be there in 15 minutes with potential buyers.

Just gotta get through it.. gotta get through it... T on Monday

[chalmette70043]

hi Echoes. I know its not the same smell. But when i moved into the fema trailer the formeldahyde they used to build it was strong. So strong my eyes would tear the instant i walked in.

In getting rid of that smell i kept all the windows open and the a/c running while burning nag champa. after awhile i would turn off the a/c but keep the windows open. It took a few weeks for the smell to go away and the burning eyes, but it did go away.

I dont know if that might be of some help with getting rid of the smoke smell. I hope you find something. I couldnt live inside a house tainted with smoke either.

chal

[ECHOES]

Thank you chalmette! What is nag champa though--I haven't heard of it.

[chalmette70043]

its incense. you can get it online, a head shop, if you have the store called world market by you. its in a purple box.

[wanttoheal]

I love the smell of nag champa.

Maybe try burning sage too.

[nightbird]

... another thing you might want to try are essential oils, that can be healthier to breathe in than say, lysol and other synthetic sprays.

Try to stay green, if you know what I mean... opps, a rhyme, lol.

Asking someone in Whole Foods, or a health food store, might help in this area.

Is there a Whole Foods by you... by any chance.
They have many products that are friendly to our bodies as well as get the job done we need to do. You may find there are a variety of ways to chose to keep your air clean and free of stale smoke that are earth-friendly and smell good too!

Best to you in this new home.

Once you get it as you like it, and with the repairs being done, you will have a lovely space that can reflect back to you anything you desire... I like my home which had it's challenges at first... but the effort I put in at the start, made a difference for me... I love being at home.

I hope you can fill it with flowers and get a few plants to oxygenate the rooms... and maybe you'll be tempted to think about a little herb garden, right by the kitchen door or on the windowsill...

I would love to hear more about how you are progressing on this new home... as I'm sure it will be nice and homey when you are done.

Peace and 'Welcome Home'
Your Friend,
Night
xoxo

[Simcha]

Originally Posted by ECHOES

I am moving (and very depressed about it) and the apartment was evidentally occupied by heavy smokers, maybe for years, maybe who never left the apartment at all or ever opened a window, maybe 20-30 smokers from the smell of it.

I just celebrated 4 years smoke free.
I don't want to live in this stink.

The walls have been painted, the carpeting replaced. A couple light fixtures need to be cleaned.

How do I deorderize? Do you have any good ideas?

That sucks! Congrats on your four year smoke-free anniversary though!

I empathize. I always wash the walls too, but if it was painted that might not matter. Has the carpet PADDING been replaced, or just the carpet? Might be padding if not replaced. Windows open really help. You can do this while your gone if it isn't going to rain much.

[Simcha]

Originally Posted by nightbird

... another thing you might want to try are essential oils, that can be healthier to breathe in than say, lysol and other synthetic sprays.

Try to stay green, if you know what I mean... opps, a rhyme, lol.

Asking someone in Whole Foods, or a health food store, might help in this area.

Is there a Whole Foods by you... by any chance.
They have many products that are friendly to our bodies as well as get the job done we need to do. You may find there are a variety of ways to chose to keep your air clean and free of stale smoke that are earth-friendly and smell good too!

Best to you in this new home.

Once you get it as you like it, and with the repairs being done, you will have a lovely space that can reflect back to you anything you desire... I like my home which had it's challenges at first... but the effort I put in at the start, made a difference for me... I love being at home.

I hope you can fill it with flowers and get a few plants to oxygenate the rooms... and maybe you'll be tempted to think about a little herb garden, right by the kitchen door or on the windowsill...

I would love to hear more about how you are progressing on this new home... as I'm sure it will be nice and homey when you are done.

Peace and 'Welcome Home'
Your Friend,
Night

I agree with staying away from anything not "GREEN"--Lysol and other synthetic sprays are really bad for you.

Some candles and essential oils should do the trick!

[ECHOES]

Well, lots of fresh air, and cleaning and cooking have helped.
I realized that some of the smell was paint and new carpet smells--still not pleasant but at least not smoke.
I threatened jokingly that I was going to cook brussel sprouts and that would cover up anything!! Tonight I did cook brussel sprouts... and I just nearly burned them--wouldn't that have been lovely!

[Perna]

The Febreze just might remove the source smell! We had a pop-up camper and there was mold which made the cushions/beds smell moldy, etc. I sprayed them with Febreze as we wanted to sell the camper :-) and was astonished the next time I was in it, no mold smell in the fabrics (there was mold on a plywood board that needed replacing was the source I think).

[ECHOES]

Perna, I'll have to make sure I get some Febreeze before I attempt brussel sprouts again--just in case...

[notz]

At least you're getting a sense of humor...this is good, eh?

Congratulations on stopping smoking! It been a number of years for me too (pat on our backs )

Cigarette smoke builds a sticky film over time. It then collects dust to make it even yuckier!

Anything you can wipe or wash will help you lower that smell. The more film you get rid of and air circulation - the better. You could wash everything from light bulbs, lamp fixtures, cabinets, doors, baseboards, stove vent-hoods and don't forget the filters. The filter with the vent-hood and especially the HVAC system. Clean filters there for sure!

I try not to use a lot of chemicals but if the build up is excessive, you may have to resort to something a little stronger than vinegar. It'll save you lots of time in the long run. I like a product called "Mean Green". Good cleaner & degreaser. Biodegradable - no acids or bleach. Smells good too!

Inside glass been cleaned? Good luck.

[ECHOES]

Thanks, notz! And congratulations to you on the smoking, too!

I love Mean Green! I use it all the time on about everything!