How have you dealt with removing heavy cigarette smell and yellow stains

[Guest]

The roof and walls, even in the kitchen cupboards are stained yellow.

I think the staining is worse due to multiple large fish tanks.

[Jelena]

You will have to wash and then paint. Need a 3 in 1 undercoat (primer/sealer/stain blocker) and 2 coats of it before you paint else the stains will come through the paint.

[Cheryl]

Triclenium ...works a treat ...better than sugar soap (Bunnings - paint dep't), have heard it is great for ovens as well.

[Suzi]

I bought a house like this and after weeks and weeks of cleaning the smell was still so strong. Until I discovered 1000's of butts in the combustion fireplace.

[Melissa]

I would use a strong cleaner with an odor neutraliser and then air the entire house out for days, perhaps even get an air purifier in there.

[Erin]

I’ve heard conflicting stories. One friend with a house deemed unliveable sue to nicotine smoke (it was REVOLTING) just painted over it and reckons it’s fine. Another did that and has forever smelt smoke still coming through the plaster boards into her house.

My builder thinks if it’s that bad, you need to replaster. Personally I’m super sensitive to smells like that and especially cigarette smoke or cat pee smells and so I’d have to replaster. There’s some odour blocking point available too though apparently.

I think all of those are your basic main options at least!