Moving into a new home might mean that it needs some TLC, especially if there are smoke stains from the previous owner. Cigarettes are not only harmful to your health, but they can also affect your home.
New homeowners are often left to deal with the yellow stains from nicotine left by the previous owners. Not only that but the house might be left with an unpleasant, smoky smell.
At Residential Solutions, a leading interior home painter in Overland Park, we know that sometimes simply painting over cigarette stains isn’t enough. Oftentimes, you have to go through and thoroughly clean the walls to get rid of both the stench and the stains before adding paint to fix the discoloration.
Below are tips from professional painters in Overland Park on how to successfully remove smoke stains from your home’s walls.
The smell of tobacco is overwhelming and can settle into other places than just your walls and ceilings. If the previous owners left any hard surfaces, like tables and chairs, you might want to consider throwing them away. Interior house painters in Overland Park suggest washing old fabrics like curtains but replacing the carpets in your home. You should also replace any simple items, like lightbulbs, because they can also smell like tobacco.
The Best Place to Begin is Removal
Wash Everything More Than Once
Sometimes, it takes more than one round to get the smell out. It also sometimes takes more than inexpensive cleaning products. Home painters in Overland Park want you to understand that the smell might not come out if you just use water and dish soap. Nicotine and tar found in cigarettes can leave behind a sticky residue that might require the use of cleaning products.
It’s also important to test the cleaning product before you use it. Spray it on a small section of the wall, preferably somewhere hidden, to make sure the paint won’t have an adverse reaction. Interior painters in Overland Park suggest using these tools to clean your walls:
- Clean cloth or sponge
- Five-gallon buckets
- Magic eraser
- Drop cloth
- Rubbing alcohol
- Rubber gloves
Start the cleaning process by sponging down your walls with warm water and cleaning solution, then let them dry. Professional painters suggest doing one more thorough scrub with warm water and cleaning solution, then use a magic eraser.
Clean Your Air Ducts
This part of the process is often overlooked but essential to you and your family’s health. House painters in Overland Park might suggest having your HVAC system cleaned because it is the primary source of air in your home.
Over time, the house’s air ducts have accumulated air particles that contain the nicotine scent and have transferred them throughout the home. Cleaning your ducts can help eliminate the tobacco smell and make the air in your home healthier to breathe.
Are You Looking for a Leading Interior Home Painter in Overland Park?
At Residential Solutions, we strive to be the best interior and exterior house painters in Overland Park. We are also experienced in cabinet refinishing, hardwood floor installations, deck staining, and wood rot services.
If you are considering painting your home, or need new hardwood floors, contact us online or at 913-522-9004 to discuss your next project.
