I recently inherited a house where someone smoked in the bedroom, and now the whole place reeks of smoke. We're aware that restoration companies could help eliminate the smell, but we're concerned about the costs involved. The bedroom still has carpet—should we go for professional cleaning, like with Stanley Steemer, or would it be smarter to just replace the carpet entirely? Any DIY tips or affordable solutions would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
You might want to try spraying some diluted bleach on the walls—it really helps wash away the nicotine. Just keep an eye on the drips, though; they can be pretty gross!
I went through something similar and my best bet was to rip out all the carpets and then hit the walls and ceilings with an oil-based Kilz primer. I even used a cheap airless sprayer for that. Just make sure to wear a respirator, because the fumes can be pretty strong. It did a great job of killing the smell, although I had to do some renovations in the kitchen to eliminate the residual odors trapped in the cabinets. Ozone generators are also a great option and can be found for cheap online!
I recommend just replacing the carpet because smoke really embeds itself in the fibers. After that, focus on cleaning the walls, ceilings, and ducts. It’s also a good idea to use an odor-sealing primer like Kilz. Try tackling it yourself first, and if the smell still lingers, you can always consider professional help later. If you can, look into ozone machines too; they can work wonders!
But keep in mind that oil-based Kilz is essential, as it seals in odors better than the water-based stuff!
Ozone machines are awesome and can really zap odors. Just remember to air the place out afterwards!