The drapes are another place that soaks up nicotine in your home. If the curtains are in good condition and are neutral enough to use in your home staging, then wash them with either bleach or vinegar in the wash water. If they cannot be washed, have your drapes professionally cleaned. If the smell does not come out of them then replace them.

The furniture in your home will also likely be retaining odors. Any upholstery that smells should be covered with a liberal sprinkling of baking soda and allowed to sit overnight if possible before vacuuming it up. To wash the upholstery with good results it is best to have the furniture professionally cleaned. If your furniture is in poor shape, consider renting or borrowing some.

Last but not least is the carpet or rugs. For area rugs, you may want to have them sent out to be cleaned because the job will be done more thoroughly than you can do at home. For any wall to wall carpeting that you have it's a good idea to start with a generous sprinkling of baking soda throughout; leave the soda on overnight if possible and then vacuum the next day. Repeat if the smell is still quite strong. I have had a lot of success with taking out some fetid cat urine smells out of carpets with just baking soda, it's quite impressive. As with any staging, you will want to have the carpets professionally cleaned or at least rent a cleaner and do it yourself.

Following these steps should help remove the stains and the stink of cigarette smoke from the interior of your house, leaving it more inviting to prospective buyers. Instead of distracting them with an unpleasant odor, they will be able to concentrate on the character of your home! M Shane