Can You Paint Over Cigarette Smells And Stains?

CONTENTS

• Why you should not smoke indoors
• How to address cigarette stains and burns
• How odour removal services can help
• Frequently asked questions
• Get in touch

Cigarette smoke can cause extensive damage, leaving stubborn stains and unpleasant odours. This issue is not only unsightly, but it is dangerous for your health. You may think you can paint over cigarette stains, but this solution is temporary and may exacerbate the initial issue.

At ICE Cleaning, our professionals are well-equipped to handle such situations. We offer cigarette smoke odour removal services that can restore your home back to its original state, using advanced air neutralisation technology and solutions.

Read on to learn more about the impact of indoor smoking on your interiors and why simply painting over cigarette stains might not be enough.

Why you should not smoke indoors

Smoking indoors can have detrimental effects on your home and health. Passive smoking, whether in a home or a block of flats, creates smoke that can travel and expose non-smokers to toxic and carcinogenic chemicals.

In addition to the health hazards, smoking indoors leaves behind unsightly nicotine stains, tarnishing walls and ceilings with a yellow hue. Removing these stubborn marks can be challenging without professional cleaning services.

Smoking indoors can cause significant damage to your home and furnishings. Cigarette smoke contains various chemicals that adhere to walls, furniture, and even the ceiling. These stubborn stains not only appear unsightly, but also contribute to a persistent odour.

Over time, the residue from cigarette smoke accumulates on surfaces, forming an oily layer. This becomes particularly problematic when it comes into contact with the paintwork in your home.

Prolonged exposure to these stains can result in permanent discolouration if not promptly addressed. Moreover, painting over such stains is not a permanent solution as regular paint does not effectively cover them.

How to address cigarette stains and burns

Cigarette stains and burn marks often leave behind a yellowish-brown hue from nicotine and permeate into walls, ceilings, and fabrics over time. Using an oil-based primer or shellac before painting can help prevent staining from bleeding through, but it does not cover the odour.

Burns caused by cigarettes present another issue entirely. The damage inflicted varies depending on the type of material burnt, making each case unique in its repair needs.

If you decide to use oil-based primers or shellac, you may find that your clean wall will soon start showing yellowish marks again, ruining your newly painted surface. 

This is because cigarette smoke contains harmful chemicals which linger for a long time, even after the smoking has ceased. These toxins get absorbed into walls and ceilings, and are slowly released back into the air over time, so painting will not prevent this.

Specialist cleaning services are needed to remove these issues before you paint over it. This is because professional cleaners use specialised equipment and products designed specifically to tackle stubborn nicotine stains and odours.

How odour removal services can help

Experts in burn damage and odour removal not only work on walls and ceilings, but also on furnishings such as carpets and upholstery. They do not just cover up unpleasant aromas - they completely eradicate them from your environment.

Professional cleaning teams use specialist products specifically designed to break down stubborn nicotine residues, ensuring the complete elimination of all odour traces.

In addition to creating healthier living spaces free from unwanted cigarette smells, this approach also enhances property value. Buyers and tenants appreciate environments without offensive odours lingering and stained walls.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best paint to cover tobacco stains?

A high-quality stain-blocking primer followed by latex or oil-based paint can effectively mask tobacco stains.

Is there a paint that covers nicotine stains?

Yes, specialist paints like Zinsser's B-I-N Primer-Sealer are designed to seal and cover stubborn nicotine stains.

What happens if you paint over smoke-stained walls?

The discolouration may bleed through if you directly apply regular paint on smoke-stained walls — using a quality primer first is crucial.

Does paint seal cigarette smoke?

While painting might hide some discolouration, it will not completely seal cigarette smells. Professional odour removal services are required for this task.

Get in touch

Our team at ICE Cleaning are experts in fire damage cleaning and smoke odour removal solutions. We use state-of-the-art technology that scrubs the air, restores your home, and makes it a safe place to live again.

If you want to know more about our various services, contact us at 0208 066 0360 or enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk. We operate 24 hours a day and will answer your call no matter the time of day. Our nationwide experts can be on-site within a few hours in an emergency and provide excellent results the same day.