Removing bad odour from house

Hello,

Does anyone have any idea on how to remove really bad odour from a house ? I've tried using air freshener spray can but the smell persists after the freshener wears off. It's the smell of illicit drugs (guessing might be weed) we're trying to get rid of. Previous tenant was apparently a dealer and left the house in a horrible state . We had PM and it seemed that the PM was aware of this all along but didn't tell us. The smell must have built up overtime and sticks to furniture. We've repainted the house and clean as much as we can but the smell lingers.

We'd like to attract good tenants. We're worried potential applicants will be put off by the smell as it is really strong.

What else can I try that doesn't cost too much ? Any advice appreciated.

 

Does the house have carpets?

If so, have them steam cleaned. Try it once and if it doesn't work, have them steam cleaned again.

Are you sure the problem isn't mould in the house or pet urine in the carpet?

If cleaning fails, remove the carpets.

 

Remove carpets and curtains.

 

Try placing a wide mouthed bowl of white vinegar in each room.

 

Depends on what it is and what its in.

We've done plugin automatic air fresheners and bowls of vinegar for basic stuff.

Possibly wash the curtains and carpets or replace them if it gets to that. Coat of paint helps if its penetrated the walls.

Ozone machine can be hired if it comes to that.

 

The bong has likely been knocked over a few times, bong water stinks, smell carpet/underlay in the spot where they would have been sitting/socializing.

Also, remove, clean/flush all sink s-bends. Remove drain grates in bath, shower and floor drains, check nothing is stuck down them with torch and long pair of tongs, flush out with hose.
Amazing how much stinky crap builds up in them.

 

Wash all walls with Sugar Soap.

 

Nil Odour sprayed onto/into freshly steamed carpets. Though steam cleaning will "refresh" the funky smell, several days of drying with open windows should tame it. And as others have said wash/replace curtains. If it's a furnished property there's not much hope as textiles will absorb smoke, smells and human slime.

 

Remove textiles like curtains and carpets including underlay. Repaint with Zinsser odor blocking primer before repainting top coat. Zinsser® B-I-N® 2 Primer Stain Blocker - Odor Sealer Product Page

 

Wash down all walls.
Replace carpet, underlay and curtains.
Air thoroughly, all windows and doors open, for a few days.
Marg

 

Only one thing harder to remove than the odour of smoke & bong water
The ones who used it - as a tenant.

 

Put large bowl filled with white vinegar in all the rooms.
Then fill vinegar in spray bottle, spray all over walls. Vinegar works wonder to get rid of bad smells

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. House doesn't have carpet luckily, mostly laminates. It's also not furnished. The walls have been washed down with sugar soap before they are painted over. The tenant has left months ago, but the house still smells. I suppose it isn't aired enough.

Yep, tenants didn't have pets. Mould isn't present in rooms where it stinks most.

Will try the vinegar and take down/wash the curtain. Hopefully it helps. If not, might have to resort to calling odour removal professionals.

 

Just forgot to tell you.
After spraying, leave it overnight as well bowl filled with vinegar.

 

Chibs, the op shops are groaning with curtains, you should be able to put up new ones at low cost if required, or modify ones there to fit.

 

Also give the laminate a good mop with vinegar - our last tenants left a weird smell too, and vinegar got rid of it.

 

Thanks guys, you've all been so helpful. I didn't know that vinegar can be so useful. I used to throw away expired vinegar when I clean the kitchen.

I'm assuming I can use any type of vinegar ? We bought cleaning vinegar from Bunnings. Have left bowls of vinegar in there and plan to go back on the weekend to do some more work. Hopefully will see some improvements then.

Will check op shops for curtains. I did consider throwing them away. They're still usable, but not sure if I want to wash them at home. Considering taking them to a public laundromat instead. Will see, but at least I know the options.

 

If the curtains have a thermal backing, ensure that when you hang them out to dry you do so with the thermal coating not touching (i.e. hang them over the washing line with the thermal backing to the outside).

This because the thermal backing can stick together when wet and when separated will peel off the fabric. This is experience talking!

Also, see if they have a washing instructions label - and follow it.