Skip to content

Tobacco smell that painting did not fix?

Cigarette Smoke Removal

Years of smoking leave a yellow nicotine film on every surface and in the ductwork. Paint and air fresheners do not stop it bleeding through. We wash it off, clean the HVAC and neutralize what is left.

  • Cigarette, Cigar
    & Vape
  • Rentals &
    Pre-Sale
  • HVAC
    Cleaning
  • Free On-Site
    Inspection
Room being treated for cigarette smoke odor
On site in 45 minutes24/7, including holidays
Real Green Planet job

Local crews across Southern California, Florida, Washington and Nevada

Why cigarette smell lasts so long

Tobacco smoke is sticky. That is the whole problem.

Cigarette smoke is a mix of chemicals and fine particles that stick to whatever they touch: walls, ceilings, carpet, furniture, window coverings and the inside of the ducts. Once it settles, it keeps releasing odor for months or years.

Painting over it rarely works. Nicotine bleeds through new paint and the smell comes back with the first warm day. Our process removes the film first, then deodorizes, following IICRC standards with CARB-approved cleaning agents.

  • Nicotine film washed off
  • HVAC cleaned
  • Air purified
  • Eco-friendly products

Indoor air is often worse than outdoor air

The EPA notes indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Smoke residue is a big part of that in smokers' homes.

Book a free smoke odor inspection

A technician visits, assesses the damage and explains your options.

Tenant moving in soon? Call (800) 719-4808 and we will work to your date.

Your information is secure and never shared.

What tobacco smoke leaves behind

Signs of cigarette smoke contamination

Without professional treatment, these do not fade on their own.

Persistent odorAI job photo
Persistent odor

Persistent odor

A tobacco smell that lasts months or years, and gets stronger in warm or humid weather.

Yellowing & stainingAI job photo
Yellowing & staining

Yellowing & staining

Nicotine stains on walls, ceilings, blinds and light switches.

Tar buildupAI job photo
Tar buildup

Tar buildup

Sticky residue on surfaces, window glass and inside cabinets.

Residue in the HVACAI job photo
Residue in the HVAC

Residue in the HVAC

Particles in ducts and filters that recirculate every time the system runs.

Soft furnishingsAI job photo
Soft furnishings

Soft furnishings

Carpet, pad, curtains and upholstery that hold odor deep in the fibers.

Chemical exposureAI job photo
Chemical exposure

Chemical exposure

Harmful residue that stays indoors long after the smoking stops.

Cigarette smoke removal process

Five stages to a smoke-free space

We deal with surface buildup and hidden particles, in that order.

  1. 01

    Inspection

    We identify every affected area, including closets, vents and ceiling surfaces.

  2. 02

    Containment

    Treated areas are isolated so odor does not drift into clean rooms.

  3. 03

    Cleaning & filtration

    Surfaces are washed to remove nicotine film while HEPA air scrubbers run.

  4. 04

    Deodorization

    Treatments neutralize the odor particles left in the air and materials, including ozone where the space is empty.

  5. 05

    Final review

    We confirm the odor is gone before we sign off.

Beyond cigarettes

Other smoke we remove and places we work

The residue differs a little by source. The process adapts.

Smoke types

  • Cigarette
  • Cigar
  • Pipe
  • Vape
  • Marijuana

Commercial & rental

  • Apartment turnover cleanup
  • Rental property smoke cleaning
  • Office tobacco smell removal
  • Pre-sale smoke-free preparation
  • Landlord tobacco cleanup

For landlords and property managers

Smoke odor is a financial problem

A unit that smells like smoke rents slower and sells for less. Professional remediation protects the asset.

What it costs youAI job photo
What it costs you
Left untreated

What it costs you

Repeated repainting that does not hold, longer vacancies, lower offers and complaints from the next tenant.

  • Paint bleeds yellow
  • Odor returns in heat
  • Longer vacancy
  • Lower resale value
What you get backAI job photo
What you get back
Professionally treated

What you get back

Surfaces washed, HVAC cleaned and odor neutralized, so the unit is ready for the next tenant or buyer.

  • Clean, neutral air
  • Paint that stays white
  • Faster turnover
  • Protected property value
Featured video

Featured video

Smoke damage you can't always see.

Smoke residue settles into walls, ducts and fabrics and keeps smelling for months. This video explains what it takes to remove it properly.

Now showing: Smoke You Can't See Is Still There | Professional Fire Damage Cleanup by Green Planet Restoration

  • Sustainable
    Solutions
  • Expert
    Restoration
  • Community
    Focused

Case studies

Recent projects

Real jobs, start to finish: what we found, what we did and how it turned out.

Rental turnover after a heavy smokerAI job photo
Rental turnover after a heavy smoker
Sample project

Sample scenario · Southern California

Rental turnover after a heavy smoker

Walls, ceilings and blinds were yellow with nicotine. We washed every surface, sealed the drywall and treated the carpet before repaint.

  • Nicotine wash
  • Sealer
  • Carpet
See similar projects
Years of smoke in a small condoAI job photo
Years of smoke in a small condo
Sample project

Sample scenario · South Florida

Years of smoke in a small condo

Years of smoking in a one-bedroom condo. We cleaned the ducts, replaced filters and ran ozone while the unit was empty.

  • Ducts
  • Ozone
  • Empty unit
See similar projects
Estate cleanup before a home saleAI job photo
Estate cleanup before a home sale
Sample project

Sample scenario · Greater Seattle

Estate cleanup before a home sale

An estate home had decades of smoke in the walls and cabinets. We cleaned, sealed and painted so the listing photos could go up.

  • Estate
  • Cabinets
  • Paint
See similar projects

Frequently asked questions

Cigarette smoke questions, answered.

Will painting cover the cigarette smell?

Not on its own. Nicotine bleeds through regular paint and the odor returns. Walls need to be washed first, then sealed with an odor-blocking primer if needed, before painting.

Do you clean the HVAC system?

Yes. Smoke residue collects in ducts and filters and spreads odor every time the system runs, so HVAC cleaning is part of the process.

Can you treat a rental between tenants?

Yes. We work with landlords and property managers on apartment turnovers and rental smoke cleaning, scheduled around move-in dates.

How long does cigarette smoke removal take?

A single room can often be done in a day. A whole home with years of heavy smoking may take several days, depending on how much needs washing, sealing or replacing.

Do you remove vape and marijuana smoke odor?

Yes. We also treat cigar, pipe, vape and marijuana smoke. The residue differs, so the cleaning products and treatment are adjusted.

Are your products safe?

Yes. We use eco-friendly products and CARB-approved cleaning agents, follow IICRC standards, and only use ozone in empty, sealed spaces.

Ready for a smoke-free space? Let's take a look.

Free inspection. Homes, rentals and offices.

Call us anytime(800) 719-4808 Book an InspectionFree on-site visit

Where we work

Our business locations

Local crews in four states, each with its own team, trucks and direct line. Pick your region to find the closest branch.

Southern California

Headquarters region
  • Los Angeles
  • San Fernando Valley
  • Culver City
  • Santa Monica
  • Torrance
  • Pasadena
  • Santa Clarita
  • Palmdale & Lancaster
  • Oak Park
  • Ventura & Oxnard
  • Irvine
  • Santa Ana
  • Laguna Beach
  • San Bernardino
  • San Diego
View Southern California locations

Florida

South Florida
  • Miami
  • Miami Beach
  • Hialeah
  • Coral Gables
  • Miami Gardens
  • North Miami Beach
  • Homestead
  • Lauderhill
View Florida locations

See all locations or call (800) 719-4808, 24/7

Don't let damage linger.

Mold and structural damage can start within 24 to 48 hours of water exposure. Get a free estimate and immediate dispatch.

Call Now Request Service