I moved into a new apartment 2 weeks ago. The place smells like smoke.
We have cleaned it, aired it out, used one of those ozone generators that cleans the air, used carpet cleaners that you dump on the carpet and vacuum up and have also used a natural air deodorizer.
It has improved some, but it is still not good. Basically, the smell is not just in the air, it is embedded in either the carpet, walls or both. When I go to work, my clothes smell like smoke.
We are thinking of using one of those steam cleaners for the carpet.
If that doesn't work I'm out of ideas other than continue to complain to the management.

Does anyone have any suggestions about how to get rid of something like this?
Or does anyone know any special approach to take with management to get them to fix it once and for all?
I don't want to be a complete jerk about it or anything, but I wouldn't mind not smelling like smoke everywhere I go.

Other than the smell, the apartment is great.

Thanks or any suggestions.

Paint it and leave half of an onion around for a while.

Josef K wrote:Paint it and leave half of an onion around for a while.

Already tried that. Garlic too.
Seriously, tough...

I'd clean the carpets, and if you can get your landlord to repaint, it's not a bad idea. It's all probably in the carpet.

Skronk wrote:I'd clean the carpets, and if you can get your landlord to repaint, it's not a bad idea. It's all probably in the carpet.

They claim they repainted before we moved in. They claim to have used deodorizing paint, whatever that is.
Carpet is not new though.

You're going to have to go with the process of elimination.

First off, since they claimed that they did use "deodorizing paint," that means they knew there was an odor problem already, so they can't be surprised you're complaining. With that in mind, they should pay to have the carpet thoroughly cleaned. You've pretty much got them there.

If the carpet cleaning doesn't work, open all the windows, stick a bunch of fans in them, put a ventilator on your face, and scrub all the walls down with TSP-substitute. That'll clean `em. The stuff only costs like $2 a box.

And if that doesn't work, talk with some tenants rights organization or some lawyer who knows about that stuff for your area, and find a way to legally break your lease due to the place not being fit for you to live in. Make sure you've got a case before you bring it up with your landlord, but no matter what, start by bringing it up nicely, in case your landlord ends up being cool about it. Don't start a war unless you have to.

Good luck.

Go to your local supermarket, rent all place, or hardware store and rent one of their carpet cleaners.

I think I used a home brew solution of vinegar, ammonia, and water. This should erase all your smokey smell woes.

paint the walls AND the ceilings.

steam clean the carpets, or replace.

The property management will have to replace the carpet. What is the sub floor? My wife and I were in a similar predicament the last place we rented. The carpets have got to go. Luckily the subfloor was decent condition hardwood (with a few random water stains).

I have heard of friends covering a subfloor with sealed pegboard or sealed masonite and getting away with it (cheap alternative)- also that chipboard shit looks kind of cool if it is sealed. This is in the case the landlord is a prick about spending any money on this project (which they've already admitted is a problem with the deodorant paint!)

Carpet sucks all around- that's what is holding the odor, I guarantee it. Nicotine resin sticks to carpet fibers like glue. A rented cleaner isn't likely to remove the smell entirely, but it will help.

have you thought about bringing in an exorcist?