10 home stager's tips for getting rid of cigarette smoke and nicotine smells and stains

Here are 10 home stager's tips for getting rid of cigarette smoke and nicotine smells and stains:

The smoker(s) should move out of the home while it is on the market and before any of the following steps are taken. If not, it will be nearly impossible to eliminate the odor as the smoke smell also permeates anything that remains in the home, including the smoker's clothing.
Get rid of everything "soft" meaning furniture, upholstery, throw pillows, drapery, mattresses, etc. If you can't put it in the washing machine or send it to the dry cleaner, you'll never get rid of the smell. Even if you can wash a pillow cover, you will have to get rid of the pillow filler unless you can launder that too.
Tear out the carpet and tear out the carpet padding. Don't replace the carpet without replacing the padding. Wash the bare floor with a product appropriate for the surface. Wash it again.
Wash down all painted surfaces with something like TSP which you can buy at most hardware and paint stores. Don't forget the ceiling. Follow the instructions on the package carefully so you don't damage the surface or hurt yourself.
Wash all other hard surfaces (linoleum floors, tile, etc.) with a 1 to 3 solution of white vinegar and water (1 cup vinegar to 3 cups water). Test the solution in an inconspicuous area first to make sure it won't damage the surface. DO NOT use this solution on granite, marble or stone. Use a reputable stone cleaner. Change the solution often so you are not dragging the smell from one surface to another. The vinegar smell will dissipate fairly rapidly, so don't worry about that. Remember to wash out all cabinets and closets as well.
Use the correct Kilz primer to cover all painted surfaces. Your painter or paint store person should be able to direct you to the proper product. If the smell is particularly strong, you may have to use 2 coats of Kilz. Kilz claims to act like a sealer for both the nicotine stains and the odor.
Have all the vents and ducts in the house cleaned.
Change any HVAC filters (heater and AC).
Remove all light bulbs and either clean them or replace them. Nicotine can collect on light bulbs like every place else, and when a bulb is turned on, it can act like one of those odor diffusers.
Most air fresheners will only mask the smell temporarily. Same with diffusers. Open doors and windows when possible to help air out the home.

While there is no guarantee that the above methods will remove all smoke odors before you put your home on the market, they should go a long way to removing most of them.

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