How to Get Rid of Cigarette Smell in an Apartment
Whether it’s from previous tenants, a careless party guest, or the waft from a neighboring unit, you’ve got a stinky apartment on your hands. The lingering smell of cigarettes, also known as thirdhand smoke, is not only unpleasant, it’s also dangerous. Here are some tips for how to get rid of cigarette smell in your home.
Dispose of anything that absorbs smoke
The residual nicotine and other toxins that make up thirdhand smoke adhere to all the surfaces in your apartment. Dispose of anything that is likely to absorb the smell such as mattresses, carpets, upholstery, drapes, and clothing or bedding that cannot be thoroughly cleaned.
Clean all the hard surfaces
The molecules in cigarette smoke cling to hard surfaces and build up over time. Using a multipurpose cleaner, wipe down all countertops, cabinets, windows, blinds, and appliances. If you find that the smell lingers inside drawers or cabinets, place a small bowl of vinegar inside the cabinet for a few days.
Change air filters
Have your air ducts professionally cleaned and install new air filters to trap compounds that become resuspended in the air long after the smoking stops. Make sure all areas of the apartment are well ventilated and consider adding a specialized air purifier to boost the process.
Wash the walls and repaint
Depending on how long there were smokers in the apartment, you may notice yellow stains on the walls and ceilings. To tackle this buildup you’ll need to start with a thorough wash. Mix a cup of white vinegar with 2 cups of warm water and ½ cup of baking soda and wash ceilings and walls from the top down. Next, wipe down with a wet rag to remove baking soda and residue.
Once walls are dry, apply a coat of stain and odor blocking primer to stop stains from seeping through before finishing with regular paint.
Can tenants pay for smoke-related damages?
Most leases do include a no smoking clause and as such, any tenant smoking during the term of the lease would be in violation. It stands to reason that if a tenant causes smoke-related damage they can expect to forfeit their security deposit in order cover the cost of abatement.
What to do if you’ve moved into a rental apartment with cigarette smell
If you’ve moved into an apartment with a continuous cigarette smell you should take steps to protect yourself from exposure. First determine where the smell is coming from. Is a neighbor’s smoke coming into the apartment? The fix could be as simple as talking to your neighbors about their secondhand smoke and coming up with a plan together.
If the smell is coming from a previous tenant that smoked inside the apartment you should talk to your landlord or property manager about the problem to see if they can assist you with replacing carpets, cleaning, and painting the property.
If the landlord can’t or won’t fix the problem, you can request that they waive fees for breaking the lease. Depending on where you live or may have additional legal options.