Cigarette smoke can cause smoke stains on walls and ceilings in properties very quickly. All it takes is a little bit of indoor smoking to cause long-term staining and damage to the home or office. Likewise, the nicotine in the cigarettes can cause nicotine stains on walls, surfaces and ceilings. Nicotine stains are very noticeable, they can cause discolouration and are an unsightly dirty yellow-brown colour. Nicotine stains, as well as smoke damage, can also bring with them powerful odours that fill the space and can be hard to budge.
In order to preserve the surface beneath a cigarette stain, be it smoke damage or nicotine staining, it is important to remove the stain as quickly as possible. But sometimes, that's easier said than done.
Nicotine is an 'addictive poisonous chemical' that is found in tobacco. It is also present in vapes and e-cigarettes. When it enters the body, nicotine causes an increased heart rate and the use of oxygen by the heart. What makes it addictive, though, is that it creates a sense of well-being and relaxation in the user.
When smoked indoors, nicotine accumulates on surfaces and creates a layer of yellow-brown staining that can be really hard to remove.
There are a number of ways to remove nicotine stains from a surface, many of which can be done using products already in the home.
One of the simplest ways to remove nicotine stains is to use a normal cleaning solution of gentle detergent and warm water.
To begin with, vacuum your surface and brush it down to remove any debris. You might need to use a scrub brush, it will depend on how much loose debris there is and what state the surface is in.
Once prepared, you can begin cleaning. You will need hot water or warm water, dish detergent, a soft sponge or cloth, rubber gloves and a bucket. Wearing gloves, simply submerge a cloth or sponge in the solution and wipe the affected surface down gently. Make sure you rinse and wipe the surface dry, and try to avoid using too much water - squeezing the cloth and sponge out after each dip is the best way to protect your surfaces. This is especially important with walls, as it can be a risk to get your walls wet.
For more stubborn stain removal, you can use TSP (trisodium phosphate) with warm water to create a suitable cleaning solution. Trisodium phosphate is a cleaning agent and degreaser that is used generally to remove stains, mould, mildew and grease. It used to be present in cleaning solutions. It can be difficult to find TSP, so if you cannot find it, you may find that using TSP PF is a suitable second option.
When using either product, you should wear gloves to protect yourself and consider wearing old clothes that you do not mind getting damaged. Where possible, keep a window open in the room to ensure adequate ventilation. You should also make sure you have a suitable way to dispose of the cleaning solution after use.
To create this solution, mix TSP powder with warm water (read the manufacturer's instructions to determine how much water and TSP to combine). Be sure to follow the instructions closely so as not to create a cleaning solution that is too strong.
Once the solution is created, you can apply it to the wall and use a soft sponge to scrub the stain in a circular motion.
Ammonia mixture is a suitable cleaning solution for nicotine stains. You can only use it in a well-ventilated spae, though, else it can be dangerous. You should also wear gloves and goggles.
To create an ammonia mix, you will need to combine one part ammonia with one part vinegar. Add a couple of squirts of dish detergent and mix well. This solution can then be used to clean the walls with a scrub brush.
For best results, scrub in a circular motion.
One of the most popular at-home remedies for nicotine stain removal is to use white vinegar. You can combine 240 ml of white vinegar with 470 ml of warm water and 120 ml of baking soda to create a cleaning solution.
Using a clean cloth, dip it in the solution and then rub the cloth over the nicotine stains in a circular motion. Be sure to repeat this process as needed.
Once the stains have budged, you can use another clean cloth to wipe the area. You might also need a sponge to soak up any excess water and moisture.
If you want to avoid using water on your walls, you can still remove nicotine stains without getting the walls wet.
There are two products out there that will allow you to clean smoke damage without needing water. First of all, a dry cleaning sponge. These do not use water and clean the walls by soaking up the stain. The second product is a Magic Eraser. Similar to the dry cleaning sponge, this product is designed to tackle stains. Magic Erasers are typically degreasers, although there are some available with bleach, so it is important that you pay attention to which you pick up and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
The quickest and most reliable way to remove nicotine stains or smoke stains from your home, whether it is on your walls, ceilings or even kitchen cabinet is to just hire professionals. The team at Clean Team Scotland are trained in all the best and most efficient nicotine stain removal processes. Whether your walls need light cleaning, or there are heavy stains, Clean Team Scotland are the people to call.
By trusting professionals with your nicotine removal, you can guarantee that you'll have clean walls without risking any damage to the surface. You will save time by avoiding a time-consuming and often tedious task.
If you do decide to remove your nicotine stains yourself, there are a few things that you should keep in mind. These top tips for removing nicotine and cigarette smoke stains will help ensure that you end up with a great finish, ready for odour-blocking primer and a fresh coat of paint.
Check out our post “How to get rid of cigarette smell in a house”.
Removing nicotine stains from surfaces within your home is important for a number of reasons. There is more to it than you might think!
First of all, nicotine stains can be really horrible to look at. Patchy and yellow, they can take away from the rest of a lovely-looking room. Nobody wants dirty-looking walls and cabinets!
But there's more to it. As mentioned above, smoking is linked to cancer, and when the chemicals from cigarette smoke - like nicotine - accumulate on surfaces, they can be dangerous. Too much prolonged exposure to these sorts of things can lead to skin irritation, respiratory problems, allergies, and, in the long term, cancer.
Removing nicotine and smoke damage from your home can also really help boost the quality of your indoor air. Cigarette smoke residue has been shown to release things called volatile organic compounds (or VOCs). These compounds can linger in the air over months and years. When left untreated, this can cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea and can worsen conditions such as asthma. By removing the nicotine stains, you remove this risk.
Nicotine stains reduce value. When left untreated, nicotine and smoke damage can further damage the property over time. The longer they're left, the more damage they will cause and the harder they'll be to remove when the time comes. If left long enough, nicotine stains can permanently discolour walls, fabrics and other items, reducing the value of properties and furniture.
You've called in a Clean Team Scotland, and we've completely removed the nicotine damage. So what happens next?
The best thing to do is to repaint the walls with a smooth even coat of paint. As mentioned above, using an oil-based primer. Then your property will be looking as good as new!
Contact Clean Team Scotland today to find out more about our expert stain removal services, and save yourself from having to spend the day around stinking nicotine stains!
