Isabella Flores
Cigarette smoke can leave stubborn stains and odours on walls, ceilings, and other surfaces. While painting is a popular method for covering up smoke damage, it is not always effective on its own. Before painting, it is essential to clean and remove stains and odours from surfaces using chemical cleaners, such as TSP (Tri-sodium phosphate), or natural solutions like white vinegar. Additionally, odour-reducing paints, such as zero-VOC paints, can help absorb odour-causing compounds. For severe cases, a stain-blocking primer like Zinsser's Cover Stain or a shellac primer may be necessary to prevent stains and odours from bleeding through the paint. However, it is important to note that there is no single magic solution, and a combination of cleaning, priming, and painting may be required to fully address smoke odours and stains.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does paint get rid of smoke smell? | No, painting your home will not eliminate the stench from cigarette smoke. |
| Steps to reduce smoke smell | Clean all surfaces, including walls, trim, doors, floors, and kitchen cabinets with a heavy-duty cleaner or a mixture of ammonia or vinegar and water. Use a degreaser such as TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) or a similar product. |
| Open windows and vents and use fans to air out the interior while scrubbing. | |
| Apply a stain-blocking primer to prevent stains and odors from bleeding through the paint. Recommended primers include Zinsser B-I-N Primer, Kilz Original, and shellac primer. | |
| Paint the walls with odor-reducing paint, such as Harmony by Sherwin Williams, which absorbs VOCs and other odor-causing compounds. | |
| Additional steps: Run an ozone machine to remove residual odors. Get your carpet and ducts professionally cleaned. |
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What You'll Learn
Painting over smoke damage
Assess the Damage
Before starting the painting process, it's crucial to evaluate the extent of the smoke damage. If there is significant damage to your walls, you may need to bring in a professional to repair or replace the affected areas. For minor damage, such as small to medium-sized holes in drywall, you can fix them yourself by filling the holes with plaster, letting it dry, and then sanding it down smoothly.
Clean the Smoke-Damaged Walls
The next step is to thoroughly clean the smoke-damaged walls to remove as much soot, ash, and stains as possible. Start by using dry cleaning sponges made of vulcanized rubber, which are effective for cleaning soot. Work from the top of the wall downward, using straight, overlapping strokes without scrubbing. Check the sponge frequently for debris and coloration, and cut off the surface with a razor blade or safety knife if it becomes clogged or noticeably blackened.
After cleaning with the dry sponge, follow up with a heavy-duty cleaning product and a regular sponge or rag. Apply the cleaning product in the same overlapping, parallel strokes as before, being careful not to scrub. Wear gloves during this step to protect your skin from the cleaning agent. Once you've thoroughly cleaned the area, wipe down the surface with clean, warm water to remove any residue from the cleaner.
Priming the Walls
Before painting, it's essential to prime the walls to ensure that any lingering odours or stains don't bleed through the paint. Apply a solvent-based stain-blocking primer, such as Zinsser's Cover Stain, which is an oil-based primer. This will help create a barrier and prevent stains and odours from seeping through your new paint job.
Painting the Walls
Now it's finally time to paint over the smoke damage! Choose an interior latex paint and apply two coats for the best results. You can decide to paint the walls the same colour as before or opt for a new colour to give the room a fresh and renewed look. Follow standard interior house painting procedures, including any necessary caulking or patching work.
By following these steps, you can effectively paint over smoke damage, improving the appearance of your walls and ceilings while also increasing the value of your home. Remember that proper preparation, cleaning, and priming are key to achieving successful results when painting over smoke stains and odours.
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Removing smoke odours
Painting your home will not eliminate the smell of cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke clings to surfaces, so to get rid of the odour, you must address the smell itself.
Firstly, scrub all painted surfaces, including trim, doors, and ceilings, with a heavy-duty cleaner such as Trisodium Phosphate (TSP), or make a homemade mixture of ammonia or vinegar and water. You can also use an ordinary household cleaner, such as Simple Green, or an eco-friendly solution with white vinegar. After scrubbing, open the windows and vents and run fans to help lift the odour from the surfaces and allow it to exit your home.
Once the surfaces are clean, you can apply a stain-blocking primer to prevent stains and odours from bleeding through the paint. Zinsser makes a few recommended primers, including the B-I-N Primer, an oil-based stain-blocking primer, and an alcohol-based shellac primer. Shellac primer is said to be the only real guarantee that odours will be removed, but it has an extremely pungent odour, so you will need good ventilation and a high-quality respirator.
After priming, you can apply two coats of your chosen interior latex paint. If you want to be extra cautious, you can use a self-priming paint, which adds an extra layer of primer, or an odour-reducing paint, such as Harmony by Sherwin Williams, which absorbs other odour-causing compounds.
Other things to consider are cleaning your carpets and ducts, which may have absorbed the smell of smoke, and running an ozone machine, which can help remove residual odours.
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Best primers for cigarette odours
Painting your home will not eliminate the stench of cigarette smoke. However, applying a fresh coat of paint is an important final step after thoroughly cleaning your interior and eliminating the odour.
To get rid of the smell of cigarettes, you must first address the odour itself. Cigarette smoke clings to surfaces, so all interior surfaces, objects, and features must be thoroughly cleaned. Use a heavy-duty cleaner such as Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) or a mixture of ammonia or vinegar and water, and scrub away the grime. You might also use household items to absorb residual odours as you go, such as opening windows and vents and running fans.
Once you have eliminated the odour, you can apply a fresh coat of paint to seal the deal. There are several primers available that can help eliminate cigarette odours:
- Zinsser B-I-N Shellac-Base Primer: This primer is specifically designed to tackle odours and residue on walls. It can be used inside and outside, so you can use it on any project. It is an oil-based primer, so it will have its own smell, but this will disappear after a few days.
- Kilz Original: This primer will block out stains and smells. It is also oil-based and will have a strong smell, but it will fade within a few days. Kilz also offers a low-odour version that dries and loses its smell a little faster.
- Kilz Restoration: This water-based primer, sealer, and stain blocker offer the performance of traditional oil and shellac-based primers. It tackles tough stains and persistent smoke and nicotine odours. It can be used on interior surfaces such as drywall, woodwork, plaster, masonry, brick, and more.
- Shellac Primer: Some users recommend using a shellac primer to eliminate cigarette odours. However, one user reported that the brown stains from cigarette smoke seeped through the shellac primer, even after applying two coats of paint.
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Cleaning smoke-stained walls
Cigarette smoke can cause tar and nicotine stains on walls, which can hold on to the stale odour of cigarettes. While painting your home can help cover up smoke odours and stains, it will not eliminate them completely. Therefore, it is important to address the odour itself and thoroughly clean the walls before painting.
- Vacuum the walls: Use a vacuum with an upholstery brush attachment to remove any loose debris from the walls.
- Prepare a cleaning solution: Create a cleaning solution by mixing one gallon of hot water, three tablespoons of dish soap, and a half cup of baking soda. Alternatively, you can use a heavy-duty cleaner like TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) or a homemade mixture of ammonia, vinegar, and water.
- Scrub the walls: Use a clean cloth or sponge to scrub the walls with the cleaning solution. Pay special attention to areas with heavy staining. For textured walls, consider using a drywall sander with fine-grit paper, but be aware that this may damage or discolour the surface.
- Wipe away remaining grime: If scrubbing doesn't completely remove the residue, use a clean cloth or cotton swab dipped in baking soda to wipe away any remaining grime.
- Spray with a deodorizing mixture: If the smoke odour persists, spray the area with a mixture of 1/4 cup vodka and 2 cups of warm water. Allow this mixture to dry completely before allowing people or pets back into the room.
- Prime and paint the walls: Once the walls are clean and dry, apply a coat of primer specifically designed for smoke odour coverage, such as Kilz or Zinsser BIN. After the primer has dried, paint the walls with your preferred colour. Consider using a satin or semi-gloss paint, as it is easier to clean.
In addition to cleaning and painting the walls, remember to clean other surfaces in the room, such as the ceiling, ductwork, and fabrics like drapes and carpets, as they can also absorb nicotine and odours.
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Stain-blocking primers
Cigarette smoke contains a lot of chemicals that can stick to walls and cause stains and odours. To get rid of the smell, it is important to first clean all the painted surfaces, trim, and doors. You can use an ordinary household cleaner or a solution with white vinegar. For a powerful cleaning solution, you can use TSP (Tri-sodium phosphate).
Once the walls are clean, you can apply a stain-blocking primer. There are several options available for stain-blocking primers that can help eliminate smoke odours:
- KILZ RESTORATION Primer: This is a water-based primer, sealer, and stain blocker that can tackle tough stains and persistent smoke odours. It can be used on various interior surfaces such as drywall, woodwork, plaster, masonry, and brick. It is important to ensure that the surfaces are clean and free of dust, grease, and other foreign substances before applying the primer.
- FixALL Stain and Odor Barrier: This is a water-based, solvent-free primer, sealant, and stain blocker that eliminates malodors and blocks stains. It uses OdorLock Plus technology to lock odours into the coating instead of bringing them to the surface. It can be used on interior wall and trim surfaces such as wallboard, wood, masonry, and concrete.
- Zinsser BIN: Recommended by a user with 40 years of experience, this primer is said to be the only effective way to cover smoke odours.
It is important to note that while these primers can help reduce smoke odours, there may still be a need to address other surfaces in the house, such as floors and kitchen cabinets, that may have absorbed the smoke smell. Additionally, proper ventilation and dry time are crucial for effective odour reduction.
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Frequently asked questions
Painting alone will not get rid of smoke smell. It is recommended to clean the walls with a degreaser or household cleaner before painting to remove any residual smoke and nicotine buildup.
It is recommended to use a solvent-based stain-blocking primer to prevent stains and odours from bleeding through the paint. Some primers that are often recommended include Kilz, Zinsser BIN, and Zinsser Cover Stain.
Yes, in addition to cleaning and painting, you can run an ozone machine to help remove odours from the air and any absorbent materials in the room. Replacing carpets and ducts can also help reduce smoke odours.
