How do I get rid of cigarette smoke smell?

We bought a house recently and the prior owners used to smoke. We can't completely get rid of the smell of the smoke.

We steamed the rugs and painted the walls, but there is still a little bit of a smell.

Any suggestions on how to get rid of it - not just cover it up?

TIA

Re: How do I get rid of cigarette smoke smell?

I would like to know this too. We bought our house from my MIL who was practically a chain smoker for decades. When we painted, we first washed everything down with "Simple Green" then we used a special primer that was supposed to help with the smell. It did, but it's still not completely gone. My suuggestion, if you can, is to get rid of the rugs. The smoke smell can get trapped in the padding and can be hard to get rid of even with steaming.

Re: How do I get rid of cigarette smoke smell?

the only way my sister in law got rid of it was to rip up the rugs

Re: How do I get rid of cigarette smoke smell?

you can try putting out bowls of white vinegar. but since you said its in the rugs,you might have to pull them up

Re: How do I get rid of cigarette smoke smell?

My brother's house had a very bad smoke smell when he bought it. Ripping up and replacing all of the rugs was key. He also cleaned and painted all of the walls.

Re: How do I get rid of cigarette smoke smell?

The rugs and curtains have to go.. And wipe down all everything through out your house..

Message edited 4/27/2008 12:39:23 PM.

Re: How do I get rid of cigarette smoke smell?

I bet it's in the padding under the rugs and if it's hardwoods underneath, possibly a film of it on those. I'd rip up the carpets, padding and wash the underlying floors down with simple green.

Re: How do I get rid of cigarette smoke smell?

honestly, I think the only way to completely get rid of that smell is to replace all the rugs.

gross!!!

Re: How do I get rid of cigarette smoke smell?

As the girls above said, honestly I think the only way to remove it is to remove the rugs. Get an air purifier and just air the place out.

Re: How do I get rid of cigarette smoke smell?

Yes, tear out the rugs and bleach your entire house.

Re: How do I get rid of cigarette smoke smell?

UGHHH!! I was afraid that would be the response.

Re: How do I get rid of cigarette smoke smell?

like everyone else said, you will most likely have to rip the rugs out...the smoke is prob in the padding underneather too.

Re: How do I get rid of cigarette smoke smell?

We had cigarette odors and pet odors when we bought our house. We ended up ripping out all the sheetrock, reinsulating everything and putting p new sheetrock. Everything smells brand new.