A step-by-step guide for Chicago landlords on clearing stubborn cigarette smoke odor and nicotine residue during turnover so units show fresh and rent faster.
Cigarette smoke is one of the hardest problems to solve during a turnover, and Chicago's building stock makes it worse. The vintage two-flats and greystones common in Logan Square, Andersonville, and Lincoln Park are full of porous plaster walls, original woodwork, and hardwood floors that soak up nicotine and tar like a sponge. Our long heating season compounds the issue, and a humid Chicago summer reactivates those oils so the smell comes right back.
Before you touch a sponge, walk the unit and grade the severity. Light odor from an occasional smoker is very different from a heavy, decades-long habit that has stained the ceilings amber. Check the spots landlords forget: the tops of door frames, inside closets, the underside of upper cabinets, and around HVAC returns where smoke gets pulled through.
Wiping walls with water alone just smears nicotine around. Use a degreasing cleaner or a TSP substitute, working top to bottom. Walls, ceilings, trim, doors, and the insides of closets all need attention. Rinse with clean water afterward and change your wash water often; the moment it turns brown it is redepositing tar.
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