How to get cigarette smoke smell out of a rented bedroom
Third-hand smoke and tar accumulate deeply in walls and surfaces after years of indoor smoking, which triggers asthma and resists basic cleaning. Eliminating the odor safely requires sealing porous surfaces and washing every hard material without resorting to dangerous ozone generators that aggravate respiratory conditions.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Using an ozone machine
- 2Having the landlord paint over surfaces, replace blinds, and remove old air conditioning units
- 3Running an ozone generator and airing out the room afterward
- 4Using activated charcoal, odor-absorbing buckets, or washing walls with a vinegar and water mix
- 5Mopping floors and walls with TSP
- 6Using expensive primers like Zinsser B-I-N on walls
- 7Wiping it down with dish soap and water
- 8Leaving the furniture outside to air out in the sun
- 9Wiping it down with a mixture of vinegar and water using a toothbrush for crevices
- 10Washing with hot water and an odor eliminator product
- 11Cleaning furniture with a vinegar and water mixture
- 12Putting items in a sealed container with activated charcoal
- 13Using an ozone generator or machine to create a DIY treatment chamber
- 14changing cabin air filters
- 15washing hard surfaces with cleaner
- 16shampooing seats, carpets, and mats
- 17using chlorine dioxide kits
- 18spraying Ozium air sanitizer inside the vehicle
- 19Putting the couches out in the yard or out of the house
- 20Using ozone generators to treat the space
- 21Asking the landlord to repaint with specialized odor-blocking paints
- 22Airing out the unit for multiple days after treatment
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“It’s a sentimental chair to me that unfortunately was kept in a room with people that smoked for many years.”source ↗
“Yesterday I wiped it down with dish soap and a rag the best I could knowing it probably wouldn’t do much.”source ↗
“Then this morning I walked into the living room after the windows had been closed all night and the room definitely had that old cigarette smoke smell because of the chair.”source ↗
“I put it out on the porch for now but I don’t want to leave it out there with winter coming up and I just don’t want to risk it getting taken or anything and my toddler loved rocking in it.”source ↗
“Is there anything I can do to get rid of that smoke smell?”source ↗
“anything that could help the smell so I don't hate my home and have a breakdown, all would be appreciated.”source ↗
“The worst of the smell is from within the cushions, so it's like every time I sit on it, it's like a smell cloud of her smoking.”source ↗
“I opened one of the cushions to wash the cover and the smell nearly took me out.”source ↗
“I know nothing will actually fix this. I just need stuff to do for the next 3 weeks until the council take it away for the sake of my sanity please.”source ↗
“Is there any way to get rid of the smell?”source ↗
“I am interested in leasing an apartment, however there is one bedroom in this apartment that the landlord told me the previous tenant smoked in for ~3 years of smoke/tar accumulation in the room.”source ↗
“I’m an asthmatic who had a chain-smoking parent growing up and when I entered the room, I definitely could sense it immediately, though I’m probably more sensitive than most”source ↗
“I’m a bit concerned about the ozone generator option as I’ve read some sources that it can be potentially more harmful, especially to those with preexisting conditions like asthma.”source ↗
“Currently smells like smoke. Not terrible but noticeable. Hardwood floors. What are the best but cost effective ways to get rid of/seal odors.”source ↗
“I’m trying to look for the most cost effective way.”source ↗
“Unfortunately, everything I own reeks.”source ↗
“Unfortunately, I can’t do the same with my books, electronics, even all my stationary items.”source ↗
“wanted to ask here to find the best way to rid my belongings of this smell without having to trash everything I love and own”source ↗
“There's an apartment I'm considering moving into, but it has a noticeable weed and cigarette smell even after being remodeled recently.”source ↗
“I'm just worried it will damage the floors, and I know VOC release is already an issue with vinyl flooring.”source ↗
“If this won't be possible, does anyone know of any other options I might have for getting rid of the smoke smell?”source ↗
Where this came up
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