Sometimes landlords allow smoking inside their property because they might lose otherwise good tenants if they don’t. However, they should know what it would entail. For one thing, the smell is unpleasant. The smell of cigarettes tends to linger for a long time in a house. It sticks to the curtains and furniture, that even if no one is smoking, the smell is present. If the odor stays inside the rental, it would probably put off future renters.

On top of that, they also have to check for damages caused by cigarette smoking. It can cause staining in the furniture or curtains. Imagine if the landlord would have to spend money to have them thoroughly cleaned, or worse, replaced?

But today, let us focus on getting rid of the odor. How can landlords ensure that their rental unit will not smell like an ashtray at the end of the day? Start taking notes because this might concern you too. You would not want to advertise a property smelling like cigarettes, am I right? Nope. We don’t want that.

Absorb

One of the things to do is absorb the smell. If the landlord has an air purifier, it can surely help. The HEPA filters will consume all the odor and toxic chemicals brought by cigarettes. If purchasing one is not in the budget, there are other ways.

Activated charcoals can also do the trick. They are known to absorb any unpleasant smell in the rental. Other items are vinegar, cat litter, and baking soda. The landlords can place them in small bowls around the unit, and they’re golden. They don’t cost much and are readily available in stores.

Ventilation

Another step is to let the property breathe, and ventilation can aid a lot in getting rid of strong odors. During the cleaning, the landlords can open up all the windows to allow sufficient airflow. They can also utilize ceiling fans to help in keeping a well-ventilated area.

Window washing

The windows can also absorb the smell of cigarettes. The good thing is, it is easy to clean them and wash away the odors. Wiping is only applicable for the window surface, though. We can use vinegar for that. The window covers like blinds and curtains should be stripped and thoroughly washed.

The landlord can have the drapes and curtains dry cleaned to get them smelling fresh again. If they were severely damaged and stained, replacing them is the only solution. Some landlords prefer to use blinds for their windows. In their case, they can soak the blinds in water, vinegar, and an all-purpose cleaner for several minutes before scrubbing them.

Carpet cleaning

If the property has rugs, we should include them in ensuring no cigarette odor stays. Carpets work like vacuum cleaners because they absorb everything, from dust particles to cigarette residue.

There’s also a DIY way of cleaning rugs and carpets. First, they have to sprinkle baking soda all over it. Next, they should use a vacuum cleaner over it for at least thirty minutes. Yes, you read that right. After that, spray the carpet with vinegar mixed with water. The smell should disappear after that, but if not, it’s time to buy a new one.

Upholstery scrubbing

Any item with a linen material will absorb smells, which means sofas and beds. Before the landlord thinks about replacing them, he should try tidying them up first. The first step is to sprinkle baking soda over the fabric and leave it overnight. The next day, they can vacuum it up. Another way is scrubbing the items using a damp towel with white vinegar.

Once the landlord learns about this guide, he will know how to maintain a property even if he allows smoking. Although, maybe it’s better not to permit it. They can have designated areas for it instead. Prevention is better.

It is your job to offer a top-quality rental for your customers. We don’t want the tenants to remember you as showing them the property that stinks. Once you are a hundred percent sure that the unit is ready, you can freely advertise it. You can sign up for Padleads and post the property listing online. You can also syndicate it to other websites to let more people know.