How to Clean Cigarette Smoke From Windows

Cigarette smoke quickly builds up on every surface of your home — windows included — as it makes a yellow picture of nicotine and tar. Remove offensive scents and lingering accumulation by cleaning the glass, window frame and window treatments thoroughly. Once clean, open the windows and turn on fans to air out the home, letting the scent of the cleaners to dissipate together with the scent of smoke.

Cleaning the Glass

Remove window treatments and set them apart.

Fill a spray bottle with white distilled vinegar and then spritz it to the glass, avoiding the furthest. Wipe the vinegar off with a clean, dampened rag. Wash the rag as needed before the glass is clean.

Mix 1/2-cup ammonia — scented or unscented — at a large bucket if vinegar is not helpful in removing the yellowed tar and nicotine. Add 1 gallon or 16 cups of warm water into the bucket. While wearing gloves, then dip a rag or non-abrasive sponge to the solution and wring it out. Wipe down the windows, rewetting the rag as required, until the glass is clear.

Spritz the window using glass cleaner and then wipe it down with a lint-free cloth, paper towels or newspaper. This eliminates ammonia or vinegar residue and eliminates streaks.

Cleaning the Window Trim and Sills

Clean stained or painted hardwood window frames using a wood-safe cleaner along with a sponge that is crocheted. Rinse the sponge frequently to remove dirt and grime buildup. Repeat as often as needed or required, depending upon the accumulated layers of cigarette smoke.

Mix 1/2-cup ammonia with 16 cups of warm water in a bucket. Dip a nonabrasive wax or wax rag at the way and wipe plastic window frames. Use straight white vinegar instead.

Wipe down the vinyl or wood frame with a clean, damp rag to remove any deposits left behind by the cleaner.

Cleaning Window Treatments

Fill a bathtub with warm water and then add a few drops of dishwashing soap, sufficient to form suds. Scrub blinds in this solution for 10 to 15 minutes. Wipe them down using a non-abrasive sponge, rinse with water and permit the blinds to dry.

Wash fabric window treatments in the washing machine with a color-safe oxygen bleach. Line dry the drapes to avoid shrinking, or dry on a low setting in the event the item tag indicates that the panels are dryer friendly.

Take dry-clean-only window treatments to your professional dry cleaning firm experienced in removing smoke odors.

Wipe down the hardware and mounts with the identical ammonia or white distilled vinegar mix used to clean out the windows and vinyl frames. Wipe away residue with a damp rag and then rehang the window treatments.

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