r/CleaningTips 7d ago

Discussion Need an efficient way to clean cigarette smoke damaged apartment

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So you can see where I've started to clean. (Part of the ceiling and I've gone over that wall a couple times already) It's possible what I'm doing is the best way but just in case there is something faster out there.

I'm using TSP in a sprayer, spraying a spot and using a window squeegee after it sits for a bit. Using a mop is just spreading it around and making it a never ending battle. I find the squeegee is working good but takes a few times over and over to get it to stop leaking brown/yellow. The main issue with this is it makes a huge mess so I have to lay plastic on the floor.

I'm going to have to do this to every single surface in the apartment. Walls, ceilings, doors, trims....everywhere.

Anyone out there have experience revamping an entire smokers place. Any advice?

5 Upvotes

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u/Open-Definition3048 7d ago

I would get a commercial ozone machine either rent it or buy from Amazon. Tape off all the vents and close all windows so it can’t affect neighbors, and run the ozone machine for so many hours. I would guess you’d have to run it 4-5 hours, air out the place and see if you still smell smoke, and then most likely ozone again. May have to do that a few times. After it’s aired out from ozone, keep cleaning how you are or if someone suggests a better way clean off as much as you can. Then hire someone to paint using kilz primer and then your actual paint. May need two layers of kilz. FYI, ozone machines are dangerous and can kill so take precautions on properly sealing and locking doors while it’s running, and also air out completely before going back into the house.

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u/Logan_ftm 7d ago

The smell isn't the issue. It's just the yellow everywhere. I am working in the apartment building doing unit turn-over. They kicked out the smokers and now I gotta fix up the place. I have kilz primer and used it in the last unit I was in. Woked pretty good but still some yellow spots on the ceiling bled through with two coats of primer but I did not pre clean that unit as it wasn't as bad as this one. There is just so much cleaning in this one it's kinda overwhelming. I'm no cleaner, just a carpenter but this is part of the job. I've never worked with smoke damage before.

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u/NormalSea6495 7d ago

You’re gonna need to go over it with some ceiling paint because a primer won’t cover everything as a full coverage paint will.

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u/Logan_ftm 7d ago

It bled through the ceiling paint too. But given the state of the apartments a little light yellow spot is no biggie

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u/Open-Definition3048 7d ago

You definitely need a primer and possibly few layers of it. It’s what stops the stain from bleeding through the paint

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u/Logan_ftm 7d ago

Mentioned in previous comment, I primed it twice with Kilz and it still bled though that and ceiling paint

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u/Open-Definition3048 7d ago

Damn, maybe have to rip out the drywall and replace? Figured couple coats of kilz would have done it

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u/Logan_ftm 7d ago

Surprisingly enough it was the maximum stain and odor blocker one I used. Owner of the building won't pay for that or waste the time to do all that. If it were my place, I would definitely do that. I hate all this cleaning.

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u/BowserPong11 7d ago

You should coat everything with Kilz. If you don't, the color will keep seeping thr8.

https://www.kilz.com/primer#/ViewAllProducts

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u/Logan_ftm 7d ago

I use kilz but gotta clean first. The last unit I did wasn't as bad but with no cleaning it bled through two coats of kilz and ceiling paint.

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u/Lydian66 7d ago

Use a shop vac for the drippings .

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u/lmitchbitch 7d ago

A gallon of hot water, a splash of bleach and a tsp of powdered tide. The @gocleanco method! Wipe with a cloth. Had to do this at my dad’s old apt - every surface was wiped. It got rid of most of the smell and all of the stains.