How to Banish Lingering Cigarette Smoke Smell in Bathroom Cabinets?

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Discussion Overview

This thread addresses the challenge of removing lingering cigarette smoke smell from bathroom cabinets, with participants sharing their personal experiences and various methods they have tried or considered.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a strong cigarette smell in their newly renovated bathroom cabinets and seeks advice on how to eliminate it.
  • Another participant expresses a desire to replace the cabinets entirely due to the smell.
  • One participant mentions using Febreeze in the past for similar odors but is unsure of its effectiveness on cabinets.
  • Another participant shares their experience of using Pine-Sol for cleaning and airing out spaces, suggesting it worked well for them in the past.
  • One participant recommends washing the cabinets with Dr. Bronner's Sol Suds and placing bowls of vinegar inside to absorb odors.
  • Another participant notes the effectiveness of vinegar, mentioning it as a common suggestion in similar discussions.
  • One participant shares a positive experience using orange oil to eliminate smoke smell from furniture.
  • Several participants discuss their preferences and experiences with various cleaning products, including Odo-Ban and baking soda.
  • Some participants express humor and light-heartedness in discussing the topic, including comments about household odors unrelated to smoke.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants share a variety of methods for addressing the smoke smell, but there is no clear consensus on a single effective solution. Different products and techniques are mentioned, reflecting individual preferences and experiences.

Contextual Notes

Participants share their personal experiences with smoke odors in their homes, often relating to previous living situations or renovations. The discussion includes various cleaning methods and products that have worked for them in similar circumstances.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants and community members dealing with similar odor issues in their homes may find the shared experiences and product suggestions relevant.

erinyourpclady
erinyourpclady
Gold Member
Messages
1,390
Ok y'all........I have a smell issue! The house we moved into a month ago has recently been renovated. No one has lived in the house for about six months. My bathroom cabinets (the master) REEKS of cigarette smoke! I "thought" maybe it was just residual from workers but it is not! You can smell it all the time but once the cabinets are open.....WHEWE! We are pretty sure the bathroom was the smoking room as well.............SO

has anyone been successful getting the smell out? FYI...we cannot paint the cabinets.

TIA!
 
Oh, no - YUCK! - I would have to just rip the cabinets out and start over!! Sorry, I don't have any advice, just wanted to wish you GOOD LUCK!!!
 
Have you tried Febreeze? I used to work in a smoky bar and used this all the time on my jackets and non-machine washables, although I'm not sure if it would work on cabinets, I would try it if I was desperate.
 
Erin - PINESOL!!!! works wonders and cleans at the same time - we also had that problem when we moved in our house (19 years ago) - clean any carpets professionally - air as much as possible the rooms with fresh outside air and pinesol, we washed down everything and then some - if the cabinets are wood -that is fine - just dry well and a little pledge and you are set to go - also get some of liners for the inside and just put a little carpet fresh for a day or so and then vacumn out - hope that works for you!!
 
You need to wash out the insides of the cabinets (I love Dr. Bronner's Sol Suds for this task - I've used it to wash up soot damage after a furnace malfunction) and if you still have the odor, put dishes of vinegar in the cabinets. (Food prep bowls should be about right!) Change the vinegar every day or two until the odor is gone.
 
KG - never heard of Dr. Bronner's - where do you get it?? And I was talking about the inside as well as the outside of the cabinets - can you use that stuff on wood as well? ( we own 2 houses that we rent out and unfortunately, sometimes tenants don't leave them so "nice") - Love the vinegar idea!!
 
Vinegar keeps popping up on these boards....it always reminds me of Heloise. Maybe I'll have to send for her vinegar booklet! ;)
 
Or take stock in it!! LOL!!! - it really does work wonders though!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #9
Ugh...I HATE Pinesol! I am on the search for Dr. Bronner's...and will start the vinegar when we retuirn from our weekend away!
Thanks SO much Dor and KG! Oh and I do use the febreeze but it goes away and the smell stays :(
 
you can find dr. bronner's at any "organic" type store, whole foods, and maybe even your grocery store.
 
Thanks Danielle!!!
 
Baking soda!!! Wash your cabinets down with a mixture of water, vinager and baking soda. Rinse and then up a bowl of baking soda in the cabinet to take away and left over smell. My parent smoke like they are on fire so I'm pretty good at getting smells out.
 
PamperedDor said:
KG - never heard of Dr. Bronner's - where do you get it?? And I was talking about the inside as well as the outside of the cabinets - can you use that stuff on wood as well? ( we own 2 houses that we rent out and unfortunately, sometimes tenants don't leave them so "nice") - Love the vinegar idea!!
Click to expand...
Well, I actually get my supply of Dr. Bronner's from Dr. Bronner's son, who happens to live close to me. But you can find it at most health food or natural stores. You can also order online from Dr. Bronner's website.Sal Suds is (from the website) Sal Suds is not a soap, and is our hard-surface all-purpose cleaner made of plant-based surfactants with natural spruce and fir-needle oils: it cleans and rinses with exceptional power, yet is mild and gentle on the skin. Sal Suds is equally effective in hard or soft water, rinsing freely, hot or cold. It is 100% cruelty-free: no animal testing. Sal Suds will biodegrade rapidly after it has done its job. (Available in 16 oz., 32 oz., and 1 Gal. bottles)
http://www.drbronner.com/images/ssuds.jpgBy the way...if you were able to poll most models and Hollywood types, you'd find many of them use Dr. Bronner's lavender, peppermint, and tea tree oil soaps. I use the tea tree oil soap to control athlete's foot and...well, let's just say another place that I have a problem with a similar fungal growth.
 
FWIW, my problem with Febreeze is that every hotel in the world uses it, and I don't like using it at home because it makes my house smell like the hotels I frequent.
 
I swear by Odo-Ban. I know the wholesale clubs usually carry it. (Sam's, Costco, BJ's). Someone gave us a practically new sofa when we were first married but it reeked of mothballs. (Yuck!!) NOTHING we tried would get rid of the smell. Then we found Odo-ban and it worked a miracle; the smell never came back. Not sure how it would work on a non-porous surface, though. You can even use this in your laundry. It is a commercial strength deodorizer, with a fresh smell.
 
I just did a search and I see Dr. Bronner's is available all over the Internet, even http://amazon.com has it now, even http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_hpc/104-2629399-5265513?url=search-alias%3Dhpc&field-keywords=sal+suds&x=0&y=0.
21ITzFlSk0L._AA196_.jpg
 
A friend of mine gave me a breakfast corner table w/ two chairs and the L shaped benchs w/ storage in them. I didn't think anything of it until I got them home and in my house, the neighbor and my BF carried everything in and then my BF and I were outside talking to the neighbor, I went into the house and couldn't believe the smell...w/in 10 min my house REEKED!! The smell was giving me a headache and I didn't know what to do...well what worked for me was Orange oil. The straight thick oil. Not only did it make the table shine, but it got 'sucked" into the table, chairs, benches everything and w/in 2 days there was no smoke smell at all!!
Unfortunately, your smell is probably going to be in the walls as well, but I hope this helps!!
 
I would agree....a deep cleaning inside and out, vinegar in bowls, and I used orange oil on my cabinets too! You may have to apply it more than once (it may get sucked into the wood quickly if it's pretty dry) but it should help a ton!

(I know this cuz we moved into my parent's home last December and they both smoked in here like crazy!) After washing down and PRIMING with Kilz and painting...tearing up all of the carpet and padding and replacing it...and doing the above mentioned on the cabinets, I can FINALLY no longer smell smoke.
 
rebeccastt said:
Vinegar keeps popping up on these boards....it always reminds me of Heloise. Maybe I'll have to send for her vinegar booklet! ;)
Click to expand...


Yes, I swear by vinegar for many things!!!!
 
DH has been driving me really nuts for awhile and the 4yo DS has been really gassy tonight, so my first thought when I read the title was, "Get rid of all male creatures - human, dog, cat, everything - and the smells (along with odd noises) should be gone within a few minutes!!!"
 
And that would be because the female of the species never creates gas?
rolleye0001.gif
Gime a break. Yeeesh. Grumble, grumble, grumble.
 
We do. But the males seem to think it's something to be celebrated. In public. With much laughter and pulling of fingers.
 
Oh, how true Ann! I worked with a guy who thought farting in front of others was just hysterical. It was sophmoric humor at its worst.:yuck:
 
legacypc46 said:
Oh, how true Ann! I worked with a guy who thought farting in front of others was just hysterical. It was sophmoric humor at its worst.:yuck:
Click to expand...
Was it my DH? That man thinks it's hilarious. Which is why our bird makes fart sounds now, too.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some effective natural remedies to eliminate cigarette smoke smell from bathroom cabinets?

Natural remedies such as placing bowls of vinegar, baking soda, or activated charcoal inside the cabinets can effectively absorb and neutralize lingering cigarette smoke odors. Leave these items in the cabinets for several days to allow them to work.

How can I clean the surfaces of my bathroom cabinets to remove cigarette smoke residue?

To clean the surfaces, mix equal parts of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the cabinet surfaces and wipe them down with a microfiber cloth. This will help remove any residue and odors associated with cigarette smoke.

Are there any commercial products recommended for removing smoke odors from cabinets?

Yes, there are several commercial odor eliminators available, such as enzyme-based cleaners or smoke odor removers specifically designed for this purpose. Look for products that are safe for use on wood or laminate surfaces to avoid damage.

How long does it typically take to completely eliminate cigarette smoke smell from bathroom cabinets?

The time it takes to eliminate the smell can vary depending on the severity of the odor and the methods used. Generally, it can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks to completely remove the smell, especially if using natural remedies.

Can I prevent cigarette smoke smell from accumulating in my bathroom cabinets in the future?

To prevent future accumulation, consider implementing a no-smoking policy in your home, using air purifiers with HEPA filters, and regularly cleaning the cabinets. Additionally, keeping the bathroom well-ventilated can help reduce the buildup of smoke odors.

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