Up in Smoke

Q: I just purchased a condominium in Provincetown that has a terrible odor of cigarette smoke. The previous owner lived in the townhouse year round and smoked indoors. What measures can I take to eliminate this smell as it is everywhere?

A: Here are few basic steps you may want to take in order to rid your house of the smell of cigarette smoke.

1. White Vinegar. Start by filling small bowls (cereal or soup) with white vinegar and placing them in each room throughout the house. You may want to place multiple bowls in rooms that have a stronger smell. Open all the windows. Let these bowls sit for up to one week. Empty and repeat the process. If it is winter, you may want to open the windows slightly to avoid too much heat loss. Otherwise, open the windows wide.
   
2. Paint the walls and ceilings in the rooms that have the strongest odor. Be sure to use an odor eliminator primer. Also, wash the walls and ceilings with soap and water prior to painting.
   
3. Remove all carpets, padding and area rugs that may have been left behind by the previous owner.
   
4. Remove cloth shades and window treatments.
   
5. If the property is heated or cooled by forced air, replace all HVAC filters with brand new ones.

If these simple measures do not remedy the issue, you may have to take more drastic measures. This could even mean replacing the sheetrock in the room that has the strongest smell. However, be patient when implementing these measures as it may take awhile for the lingering smell of smoke to dissipate.