How can heavy cigarette smoke residue be removed from the interior of the home?

Question

I am looking to purchase a home that has heavy cigarette residue everywhere. My wife hates it, and I tell her that it can be removed or covered by Kills stain killer and then painted. You can see where pictures were on the walls and by the time you leave you smell like an old truck stop. Is there a product made specifically for this? Thanks.

Answer 1

I would say bleach mixed with water just to disinfect.  Then maybe a good primer like KILZ, to block out the stains and odor and then onto the fresh paint colors.  You may just want to higher a professional cleaner as I am sure that this odor isn't everything and everywhere...which would mean you're going to be cleaning more then just the walls.  Probably have to plan on removing any carpet there is...anything that can absorb odor.  If you are committed to the hard work and the bank account shock if you have to replace things that you weren't expecting because it has been affected I think at the end of it you could truly have a beautiful house.  I am assuming that there is something about this house that is charming that would make you want to go through this trouble.

Answer 2

The pros use TSP. Found in any paint store. This is tri-sodium phosphate. Mixed with water it is very effective.  

Answer 3

I used a household cleaner like formula 409 to clean the walls in my house after chain smoking the walls yellow one winter, the nicotine just melted right off and I wiped it off with paper towels no problem

Answer 4

you need to remove the nicotine stains with a cleaner like soilax ...

prior to painting .