Removing smoke smell

Rehabbing & House Flipping
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Removing smoke smell

Andrew S.
Rental Property Investor · Helena, MT · Member since 2017 · 282 posts · 117 votes

Hey BP! 

Hopefully everyone else isn't enjoying Labor Day wknd scrubbing nicotine off the walls!

I'm working on my first investment property for a house hack. The house was previously smoked in. I'm scrubbing the walls with TSP and it's working great. Planning to paint with Kilz original oil based primer then probably a Behr Premium.

Curious if people recommend washing twice with TSP if I'm going to paint over with Kilz and a latex paint?

Kitchen Walls are Formica (might sheetrock over or paint), living areas are wood paneling, bedrooms are sheetrock if that matters. 

Ceiling is the old 12" x 12" tiles. Plan to paint them as well. 

Class C property. 

Thanks much! 

Andrew

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Terrell Garren
Rental Property Investor · Concord, NC · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 3k+ votes
8y

Sherwin-Williams sells a scented additive you can put into the wall & ceiling paint. I've used it a couple times and am pleased with the results.

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/produc...

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  • Account Closed
    Rental Property Investor · Member since 2018 · 104 posts · 44 votes
    8y
    Originally posted by @Andrew S.:

    Hey BP! 

    Hopefully everyone else isn't enjoying Labor Day wknd scrubbing nicotine off the walls!

    I'm working on my first investment property for a house hack. The house was previously smoked in. I'm scrubbing the walls with TSP and it's working great. Planning to paint with Kilz original oil based primer then probably a Behr Premium.

    Curious if people recommend washing twice with TSP if I'm going to paint over with Kilz and a latex paint?

    Kitchen Walls are Formica (might sheetrock over or paint), living areas are wood paneling, bedrooms are sheetrock if that matters. 

    Ceiling is the old 12" x 12" tiles. Plan to paint them as well. 

    Class C property. 

    Thanks much! 

    Andrew

     For smoke smell, the biggest problem would be carpet if you have em in the house. You can try steaming/conditioning them, but to completely get rid of the smell you'll have to replace them.

    1Reply
  • Andrew S.
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · Helena, MT · Member since 2017 · 282 posts · 117 votes
    8y

    thanks for the tip, the entire house except bathroom is currently carpet. Its all getting replaced also. 

    0Reply
  • Karen R.
    Member since 2017 · 49 posts · 106 votes
    8y

    Oil based Kilz is best to cover smoke, its even used after fires. I've found that an oil based strong smelling cleaner with pine or citrus gets rid of the smell of smoke on hard surfaces. Soft surfaces such as fabrics either need to be replaced or professionally cleaned.

    1Reply
  • David Hutson
    Rental Property Investor · Bartlett, TN · Member since 2013 · 404 posts · 421 votes
    8y

    @Andrew S.,

    Sounds like a fun weekend. In the past when I have had to deal with smoke, and discolored walls, I would do one good scrubbing with TSP. Never did two. Then Kilz and paint. Never had a problem with the walls.

    As @Account Closed stated, the carpet will be the bigger problem as far as the smell.  Since you stated you are going to replace the carpet I recommend spraying "Odoban" (about $10 for a gallon to dilute) or some other cleaner/smell remover over the pad (if you don't replace it since it will hold the odor) or on the floor if you remove the pad.  It's probably a little overkill for concrete but if it's wood maybe not.  Spray the whole house down.

    The TSP and changing the carpet should be good and you can relax next weekend.

    Good luck,

    David

    2Reply
  • David Hutson
    Rental Property Investor · Bartlett, TN · Member since 2013 · 404 posts · 421 votes
    8y

    @Andrew S.,

    Sounds like a fun weekend. In the past when I have had to deal with smoke, and discolored walls, I would do one good scrubbing with TSP. Never did two. Then Kilz and paint. Never had a problem with the walls.

    As @Account Closed stated, the carpet will be the bigger problem as far as the smell.  Since you stated you are going to replace the carpet I recommend spraying "Odoban" (about $10 for a gallon to dilute) or some other cleaner/smell remover over the pad (if you don't replace it since it will hold the odor) or on the floor if you remove the pad.  It's probably a little overkill for concrete but if it's wood maybe not.  Spray the whole house down.

    The TSP and changing the carpet should be good and you can relax next weekend.

    Good luck,

    David

    0Reply
  • Lauren B.
    Asheville, NC · Member since 2017 · 170 posts · 242 votes
    8y
    @Andrew Schrader I’m working on a house now that was chain smoked in for 24 yrs. I did TSP on walls but ceiling was popcorn . we had to oil prime it twice because it bled through with just one coat of oil primer. I would also prime sub floors. After painting, I turned on the AC and it looks like I’ll have to have the vents cleaned or replaced because they smell like they were used as ash trays.
    0Reply
  • Marian Smith
    Real Estate Investor · Williamson County, TX · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 961 votes
    8y
    @Lauren B. Not the vents but the inside coils. I have used clenaire? That I bought at fergusons. It is a about 4x4x10 block of gel stuff that I put in the return air plenum and it really helped. About $20. Lasts 3 months but the coil gets wet and cleans itself via condensation over the 3 months so that may be all you need unless heater season. Amazon carries it too.
    1Reply
  • Andrew S.
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · Helena, MT · Member since 2017 · 282 posts · 117 votes
    8y

    My sub floors are hardwood soI'm hesitant to paint them. I'd like to just clean then with the Odoban cleaner and then LVP over top.

    I'll plan for 2 coats of Kilz on the porous ceiling tiles. Scrubbing them today went well. 

    0Reply
  • Sixto Moralez
    Cleburne, TX · Member since 2014 · 11 posts · 2 votes
    8y

    @Andrew S. Smells like money man!  It'll payoff in the end and great job.

    @Lauren B., Did you dry clean with chemical sponges before priming?  Also, what oil primer did you use on the ceiling?

    Curious if there is anyone currently renovating a house in the Fort Worth, TX or D/FW area that was smoked in? I understand flooring removal, walls and ceilings need a thorough TSP and Kilz job. However, what about the kitchen cabinets, central a/c unit and vents? Do these need to be gutted and replaced? I would love to visit with anyone nearby to ask more questions. Thanks.

    0Reply
  • Terrell Garren
    Rental Property Investor · Concord, NC · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    8y

    Sherwin-Williams sells a scented additive you can put into the wall & ceiling paint. I've used it a couple times and am pleased with the results.

    https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/produc...

    2Reply
  • Account Closed
    Rental Property Investor · Lynchburg, VA · Member since 2018 · 3 posts · 2 votes
    8y
    @Andrew Schrader look into a oxone generator. I have seen many times in apartment turns.
    2Reply
  • Lauren B.
    Asheville, NC · Member since 2017 · 170 posts · 242 votes
    8y

    I’ve forgot to mention I have an ozone machine set on a timer to run overnight. 

    I set it in each bedroom for a night or two and I currently have it set in front of the air return to cycle though the vents and whole house. 

    I cleaned the cabinet doors with TSP and then simple green. I was surprised that the simple green got off more residue even after I used the TSP.

    @Marian Smith

    Thanks for the recommendation on clenaire! I will give it a go! 

    0Reply
  • Andrew S.
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · Helena, MT · Member since 2017 · 282 posts · 117 votes
    8y

    @Terrell Garren good tip with the scent additive, I might try that on the kitchen cabinets that aren't getting replaced. I'll just be re-painting them. 

    Do I need to use the ozone machine before I replace flooring, paint, etc ?  I was considering waiting until that's done then seeing if it still smells bad. 

    0Reply
  • Thomas S.
    Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    8y

    It is highly unlikely painting over th eceilong tiles will be successful. You will not be able to seal the tiles completely. They will need to be taken down and dry wall put up.

    This is a step you do not want to skimp on at this stage.  

    0Reply
  • Jason Powell
    Beaverton, OR · Member since 2014 · 118 posts · 119 votes
    8y

    clean, ozone generator, then Zinsser Binz Shellac. 

    This is the process a restoration company used used after a guy died and decomposed in my unit. They mentioned that's the same process they would have used after smoke from fire or cigs.

    Anything porous has got to go to really get rid of the smell properly.

    2Reply
  • Dillon Visentin
    Flipper/Rehabber · Sacramento, CA · Member since 2017 · 14 posts · 5 votes
    8y
    Defiantly like people are saying use the kilz or the zinsser 123 I used that on last house that was smoker. I think what we did was wash with soap n sponge real quick then sprayed it but defiantly let it air out while spraying n drying extremely strong smell
    0Reply
  • Dillon Visentin
    Flipper/Rehabber · Sacramento, CA · Member since 2017 · 14 posts · 5 votes
    8y
    Also replace house filter and maybe even scrub a little behind the vent covers
    0Reply
  • Josh JenkinsPro Member
    Real Estate Broker · College Station, TX · Member since 2017 · 17 posts · 10 votes
    8y
    @Andrew Schrader I bought an ozone machine for $70 on Amazon. I should have done this years ago. I turned it on for 4-36 hours as I make-ready unit’s for new tenants. I agree with the other suggestions about tiles and tsp
    1Reply
  • Jordan MoorheadBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Austin, TX · Member since 2015 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    8y
    @Ian Lacks the ozone generator was the only thing that finished the job on a listing I have right now. The painted and replaced carpet!
    [email protected]512-888-9122
    The Moorhead Team5140 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    2Reply
  • Mark Caiazza
    Rental Property Investor · Centerton, AR · Member since 2014 · 54 posts · 28 votes
    8y
    @Andrew Schrader, I don’t think you need to scrub with TSP twice if you’re going over the walls with Kilz and paint. The previous recommendations are spot on. After everything is cleaned, scrubbed, replaced, and painted, an HVAC filter air freshener will give it a nice finishing touch for less than $5
    0Reply
  • Andrew S.
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · Helena, MT · Member since 2017 · 282 posts · 117 votes
    8y

    Good morning everyone,

    My painter asked to use Kilz latex vs the Kilz original oil based. I've read a few posts that recommend the oil based Kilz.  Latex would be easier for my painter and sounds like it may have better adhesion to the Formica walls in my kitchen. Probably have him paint the countertops too with Kilz primer so I can re-paint them too.

    0Reply
  • Cathryn Bankhead
    Investor · Southaven, MS · Member since 2012 · 15 posts · 0 votes
    8y

    I'd recommend replacing the hvac ducts. It's what u do when remediation of smoke from a fire. Smoke smell can seem to be gone and then return even years later. Can be affected ted by climate and humidity. Good luck.

    0Reply
  • JoAnn Spears
    Member since 2023 · 3 posts · 0 votes
    2y

    What is TSP?

    0Reply
  • JoAnn Spears
    Member since 2023 · 3 posts · 0 votes
    2y

    I had many years of cigarette smoke on my walls. I had a friend put kills on the walls but now it's been a couple of years since they were painted. Do I need to re-kills or should I get a mop and clean the walls?

    0Reply
  • JoAnn Spears
    Member since 2023 · 3 posts · 0 votes
    2y

    I know it's Kilz.  I was talking into the phone 

    0Reply
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