Article: Scrub and paint to kill smoke odor

Q. One of the rooms in my "new" house is very dirty, caused by long-time smokers. How can I clean it before painting -- and get rid of the smoke odor? R.L., Melrose

A. Wash the walls (and the ceiling) with a strong solution of Spic and Span and water or, better yet, TSP (trisodium phosphate) cleaner, sold in hardware stores. Normally, walls can be painted with two coats of latex wall paint, and the ceiling with two coats of latex ceiling paint. But to seal in any remaining smoke odor, paint the ceiling and walls first with a thin coat of Kilz (an oil-based primer) and finish with the latex ceiling paint and wall paint.

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