Nicotine stains develop on the popcorn ceilings of homes in which you or a loved one smoke cigarettes or cigars. The smoke rises to the ceiling and develops a yellowish, smelly stain. These unattractive stains also develop on the walls. Although time-consuming and messy, removing nicotine from popcorn ceilings is necessary for anyone wishing to paint or remove the ashtray odor and unsightly yellowing from his or her home.
Instructions
Using a Commercial-Grade Cleaner
1. Open all windows--and doors if possible--within the work area to ventilate the room and carry the harmful fumes out.
2. Remove everything from the room, including curtains and drapes, furniture, knick-knacks and other decorative items. Cover the floor with plastic dropcloths to protect the carpet, tile or wood material from falling drops of cleaning solution.
3. Mix powdered trisodium phosphate (TSP) in a plastic bucket according to package label directions. A common mixing formula for powdered TSP is 1 cup TSP powder to 5 cups water.
4. Set the tall ladder on the floor, under the area where the nicotine staining begins on the popcorn ceiling.
5. Dip a large sponge into the TSP solution, and wring out the excess. Climb the ladder and scrub the popcorn ceiling with the TSP-dampened sponge until the nicotine stain is gone. Continue scrubbing the entire popcorn ceiling until the job is completed.
6. Sit oscillating fans--pointed toward the popcorn ceiling--around the room so the ceiling dries faster.
Using Household Cleaners
7. Repeat Steps 1, 2, and 3 from Section 1.
8. Pour equal amounts of common household ammonia and vinegar into a deep-sided bowl. Add 3 tsp. of mild dish detergent to the bowl, and slowly mix with a wooden spoon.
9. Dip a clean sponge into the ammonia/vinegar solution and wring the excess out. Climb the ladder, and scrub the nicotine stains from the popcorn ceiling until all are removed.
Related posts
Nicotine stains derive from tobacco.Nicotine stains coat painted walls, linoleum, vinyl and plastic objects after repeated exposure to smoke and over time. These stains can be brown, oily, grimy a...
Nicotine is the drug in cigarettes that make them addicitive.Nicotine residue and stains are an unfortunate side effect of cigarette smoke. When the smoke comes in contact with the white wood furn...
Cigarette smoke may create a yellow film on your windows.If you are a smoker, the nicotine may not only be affecting your body. Nicotine and tar are present in cigarette smoke -- these substances...
Superficial nicotine stains can be removed from marble.Nicotine stains on cultured marble are the result of old cigarettes that are placed directly on top of the marble. Removing a light nicotine...
Remove nicotine stains with common household products.When nicotine encounters cotton, it will leave behind stains that are not easy to remove. The stains are typically a result of heavy cigarette...
