Hi all, we may have the chance of buying a newer van off hubby's Aunt and Uncle for a bargain price only problem is that his Aunt is a heavy smoker resulting in nicotine staining on the ceiling and walls. Just wondering if anyone has any idea how we can clean this off as we're non smokers and it's the only thing putting us off getting the van
------------- -x- Diane -x-
May 13 - Cala Gogo, St Cyprien (didn't go, hubby too ill to travel)
May 14 Ranc Davaine
August 14 Les Sablons
August 13 - Camping Playa Brava, Pals
You can buy Sugar Soap that you dilute with warm water from a DIY store which removes stains prior to emulsioning and painting which is the best option and it does shift those stubborn nicotine stains or you could try the powder Soda Crystals which you also dilute but I think that is more for removing grease rather than stains.
As Tango said use sugar soap on the walls and ceiling also,i washed the ceiling down last season with dettox surface cleaner and it was great...that should as well take every thing off..
thanks for the help, although since I posted hubby has gone off the idea as he's worried about our car pulling it as it's 110kg heavier than current van, although it does work out at 85% anyway. I may change his mind yet
------------- -x- Diane -x-
May 13 - Cala Gogo, St Cyprien (didn't go, hubby too ill to travel)
May 14 Ranc Davaine
August 14 Les Sablons
August 13 - Camping Playa Brava, Pals
I know Michael, think he's worrying needlessly as we have a 1.6 HDI which has the same torque and BHP that we had on our previous 4x4, so on paper it'll be ok and as it's only usually us there's not much to take either
------------- -x- Diane -x-
May 13 - Cala Gogo, St Cyprien (didn't go, hubby too ill to travel)
May 14 Ranc Davaine
August 14 Les Sablons
August 13 - Camping Playa Brava, Pals
Hi dianebb72, If it is possible, Why not get hubby to see if he can take the uncle’s caravan for short haul, and test it on some hilly road to find out if his car will pull it, if test is satisfactory, then all you need do is clean it, remember and use your own van number plate.
------------- If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
If in Doubt Check it Out.
Hi dianebb72, If it is possible, Why not get hubby to see if he can take the uncle’s caravan for short haul, and test it on some hilly road to find out if his car will pull it, if test is satisfactory, then all you need do is clean it, remember and use your own van number plate.
Hi John, it's me who does the towing and I have already said to hubby that it'd be a good idea to give it a tow before committing to anything, I'll just have to work my magic on him
------------- -x- Diane -x-
May 13 - Cala Gogo, St Cyprien (didn't go, hubby too ill to travel)
May 14 Ranc Davaine
August 14 Les Sablons
August 13 - Camping Playa Brava, Pals
A solution of Milton (other baby bottle sterilising fluids are available) applied with a damp cloth will soon shift the nicotine stains and freshen up the van.
------------- Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.
Also dont forget to shampoo the carpets and upholstry, then on a fine sunny day give the curtains a wash too, its amazing how much nicotine will be enbedded in those too, and they sure will feel fresher and smell nicer for the experiance.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
Quote: Originally posted by romany girl on 07/3/2012
Also dont forget to shampoo the carpets and upholstry, then on a fine sunny day give the curtains a wash too, its amazing how much nicotine will be enbedded in those too, and they sure will feel fresher and smell nicer for the experiance.
Julia
we've already planned to do that, we'll also rip the carpet out and replace as the floor has a small bit of delam that we'll fix asap, just waiting for his Aunty to reply
------------- -x- Diane -x-
May 13 - Cala Gogo, St Cyprien (didn't go, hubby too ill to travel)
May 14 Ranc Davaine
August 14 Les Sablons
August 13 - Camping Playa Brava, Pals
Fabreze works wonders for my sisters curtains. Look good as new, nice smell, even when they are at least 20 years old. But not the citrus apparently it does not go so well as it over powers in smell.£2 a bottle at this time in Wilco's
To remove the nicotine stains from your soft furnishings it is advisable to dilute some domestic washing powder first with warm water and sponge lightly over all the surfaces as this will help release the stains. Then use some 1001 shampoo as this will not only thoroughly clean them but also leave a lovely fresh aroma with a spring of freshness. It does work well actually as others have also said on this forum but most of all you don't have to spend a fortune trying various products to find out which works best.
We bought a nearly new car a few years ago which was a demo. I said to the garage that somebody had been smoking in it and they agreed to give the car a complete clean. When we had it it smelled O.K but after a couple of weeks the smell came back.
I tried everything to get rid of it but couldn't and in the end we sold it in part exchange. It was not as bad as a caravan would be as at least we didn't live in it.
The smell gets into everything. The furniture, the bedding, the carpets etc etc and no amount of cleaning will get rid of it.
Some dealers will not take a van in part exchange if there is a smell of pets or smoke.
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Topic: Nicotine stains
