Old, unfinished attic smells like cigarettes
HU-102332934
4 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (6)
User
4 years agoHU-178658043
4 years agoRelated Discussions
cigarette smell in foam cushions/covers
Comments (6)if the foam is original (ie more than 10 years old) I'd consider replacing it alltogether...it does degrade with time (the older stuff more than modern foams) and washing it might well destroy them... otherwise, sunlight and fresh air are the best deodorants, so I'd just leave them outside for a week, and see if that helped. washing any fabric does help, and I've found that the orange-oil based cleaners, maybe boosted with a dash of TSP (a degreaser) do a fairly good job of cutting that film on panelling, and the like. any carpetting is going to be a pest as well (blech!) but shampooing it will help a lot :)...See MoreCigarette smell in clothes... Help Please!
Comments (10)I lived in a house that had been damaged by a fire when I was in my teens and later lived in a mobile home that had been damaged by a fire. I am pretty sure it is cigarette smoke. I have friends who smoke and a daughter who unfortunately smokes so I think I got the smells right. I will try the baking soda and see if it does it. I also had the thought of hanging them outside, but they smelled so strong when I took them out of the washer (and it was raining off and on all day yesterday) I hated to dry them that way. They have been washed a couple of times and it seems to be worst at the seams and in the really thick clothes, like heavy jeans. I put them back in for a soak cycle (I have a front loader). I hate to say it, but I almost wish the smell had been wood smoke. I don't mind it as much. Maybe part of the problem is that I am sensitive to cigarette smoke (allergies) and therefore notice it more. I will give it a try. I have at least three more loads to do. I will try making the loads smaller. Maybe with less clothes the washer can clean them better. I haven't overloaded, but it can't hurt. Most of my clothes come out clean and smelling great. Oh, well. Can't win 'em all. At least not in the first battle. LOL....See MoreHelp: how to remove years of smoke/cigarette smell from wood?
Comments (10)>Will mineral spirits take any of the finish off the wood? Generally no. It will dissolve waxes. It can also dissolve Gilsonite, a tar-like substance that is sometimes used as a stain, but usually that's sealed in with a finish. In the tens of thousands of pieces I've worked on, only one had any reaction to mineral spirits. It was a rustic black piece, probably from Mexico, and mineral spirits pulled off some color. Not enough to effect it, but I stopped there. It was restoration from a fire, so it may have been smoke or some of the colorant. Varnishes, though thinned with mineral spirits, cure by polymerization and mineral spirits is not a solvent for them, it's a thinner. Big difference. (In the odd world of finish terminology, though, Lacquer Thinner is the solvent for lacquer. Because part of it is alcohol, it will also dissolve shellac.) But the real test is to try it out on an obscure place....See MoreOld unfinished attic
Comments (4)Do not let your kitty in your attic! I have an old house with a stair case which leads up to an unfinished attic -- very similar to what you have described. My staircase is closed off by a door - so, from the main floor, it looks like a closet in the hallway. A few times, the door was left open (bringing down Christmas lights...) and the cats went "exploring". I had a heart-attack and a difficult job retrieving them. You know how they can be when they KNOW you want to reach them and they do NOT want to be captured.... I, too, am looking for cheap/creative ways to use that space. I am using it as storage currently, but 'filthy' doesn't even describe the degree of dirt and dust. I bought cheap plastic 6ft. storage racks from Lowes for items like my tools, xmas things, etc. I wouldn't store anything like clothing there. If you are able to close off the area with a door, I would do that....See Morefunctionthenlook
4 years agoSeabornman
4 years agoGracie Morgan
4 years ago
Related Stories
BATHROOM DESIGNSkylights and Glass Tile Transform an Attic Into a Spa-Like Bath
A Minnesota bathroom tucked beneath the eaves features mosaic tile, a built-in tub and a marble shower
Full StoryMORE ROOMSAttic Bedrooms Turn a Corner
No longer mere storage space for broken dolls and old clothes, attics are being turned into the most stylish of bedrooms
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESWhat Lies Beneath That Old Linoleum Kitchen Floor?
Antique wood subfloors are finding new life as finished floors. Learn more about exposing, restoring and enjoying them
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESRoom of the Day: Storage Attic Now an Uplifting Master Suite
Tired of sharing a bathroom with their 2 teenage kids, this couple moves on up to a former attic space
Full StoryMOST POPULARHow to Reface Your Old Kitchen Cabinets
Find out what’s involved in updating your cabinets by refinishing or replacing doors and drawers
Full StoryBATHROOM MAKEOVERSBathroom of the Week: Designer’s Attic Master Bath
A Georgia designer matches the classic style of her 1930s bungalow with a few subtly modern updates
Full StoryHOUSEKEEPINGWhat's That Smell? What to Do About Stinky Furniture
Learn how to diagnose and treat pet and other furniture odors — and when to call in a pro
Full StorySALVAGE12 Ways to Get in the Spirit of Old Stuff Day
Vintage heads into the limelight on March 2. What pieces could you cast in a different role?
Full StoryFEEL-GOOD HOME9 Smells You Actually Want in Your Home
Boost memory, enhance sleep, lower anxiety ... these scents do way more than just smell good
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSMy Houzz: A Sherbet-Colored Kitchen and a Spa-Like Bath
Portland, Oregon, homeowners update their 1950s ranch to create their dream ‘glass house’
Full Story
cat_ky