Anyone know how to get rid of nicotine stains?

[Zakk]

...off of everything?  I just bought an income property today, and it was a power of sale (bank repo), and it is nice, but grungy.  I have a few gallons of bin primer for the walls, so I've got that covered, but I wonder if there is a good way of getting that stain off of plastic windowsills and blinds.  I'd hate to have to paint all the pvc windowframes if I can avoid it...any ideas? Here's a picture of the affected area (the balcony doors)

[Kremmit]

Just rent to smokers.

[Tailgunner]

Greased Lightning works quite well at removing nicotine from plastics.

[DrewKaree]

Simple Green works quite well.  I think Greased Lightning MIGHT be cheaper, but I've still got half a JUG of Simple Green left.  Pay for shipping?

If you can, before painting anything, no matter what you end up using spray it down well and let it sit.  By the time you're done with the unit, go back in the same order as you sprayed.  Should come up fairly easily, mebbe a little touch up here and there needed if it's super bad.

[DrewKaree]

Oh, and screw the blinds.  Scrap 'em.  You should already have sourced a cheap place to supply blinds, ya slumlord   Wal-Mart always has 'em cheap, but there's even cheaper places than them   

[paigeoliver]

Don't put too much money into desmoking it, all that will happen is that you will end up getting smokers for renters anyway. 

The people who are really picky about that sort of thing seem to be able to smell it no matter what you do to hide it.

[missioncontrol]

I agree with the above....

renters find new and interesting ways to destroy the property at which they are renting.... I wouldn't concern youself by getting rid of all the nicotine stains....


just replace the blinds with cheap wally-world or dollar store blinds......

[Zakk]

Thanks for the tips guys.  I can't leave the smell/stains as-is, I rent fully-furnished deluxe suites on a month to month basis (no smokers).  I've just never got one in this bad of shape before (but a good deal!!).  All of the carpet is coming out, and 100% of it is being primed/painted, as well as completely new kitchen.  I'll get the smell out for sure, but the stains...ugh

Oh, and Drew, I'm not talking about the little window blinds, those are toast, I mean the full-length blinds for the balcony, those can run a few bucks (and I'm not lookign to spend $$$)

[ChadTower]

Hey, BYO Blinds, man.

Build them from plexi.

[Edgedamage]

Judging buy the stains on the valance cover near the vents you might want to get the ducts cleaned also.

[Edgedamage]

And for the blinds try oxy clean or just soak them in a laundry tub with water and bleach for a hour or so.

[missioncontrol]

denture cleaner or sokers toothpaste

[thebrownshow]

I rent fully-furnished deluxe suites on a month to month basis (no smokers). 

Do they come with an arcade cabinet? 

[ChadTower]

That would seriously rock.

"yes, I need furnished lodging for about 7 weeks"

"Do you want Tempest or Centipede with that?"

[Zakk]

Tuens out the blinds are only $50 per 80 inches, that seems reasonable.  I'll just have to worry about the windowframes.  I'm definitely cleaning the ductwork,  since each unit has its own all-in-one furnace/air conditioner unit (which are hideously expensive to replace), and I'm sure it's struggling through the gunk.

I actually like the idea of the arcade machine.  I want the people to refer the apartment to other executives, and that would certainly stick out in people's minds (and show me one young executive that wouldn't fire one up if it was there!!!)

[ChadTower]

Older guys would be drawn to pins, too.  Doesn't have to be a $3000 pin either. 

[thebrownshow]

I actually like the idea of the arcade machine.  I want the people to refer the apartment to other executives, and that would certainly stick out in people's minds (and show me one young executive that wouldn't fire one up if it was there!!!)

I think any type of entertainment would be a HUGE selling point.  Even just week-long business trips tend to get boring after a while, I couldn't imagine what it'd be like to stay somewhere for a month or more without some game time.

[Harry Potter]

Shomke more weed. That'll get rid of them pesky stains