Washing away nicotine with ammonia - does it work?

Nicotine can leave yellow discolouration on walls, furniture and clothes. These stains are formed by tar and other substances in tobacco smoke and can be difficult to remove. Many people are therefore looking for effective ways to get rid of these stains, and one method often mentioned is washing away nicotine with ammonia. But does it really work, and is there anything to consider before going all out with the cleaner? Let's find out.

Can ammonia remove nicotine stains?

Ammonia is a strong cleaning agent that can dissolve dirt and grease. Nicotine leaves behind a sticky film that can be difficult to remove with standard cleaning products and water. As ammonia breaks down grease and chemical deposits, it can be an effective way to wash nicotine off various surfaces.

Ammonia works particularly well on:

• Walls and ceilings where nicotine smoke has left a yellowish film.
• Kitchen cabinets and other hard surfaces, where smoke may have accumulated over time, leaving both stains and bad odours.
• Windows and mirrors, where tobacco residues can form a greyish coating.

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Try IQOS ILUMA for 60 days

Discover a better alternative by heating tobacco instead of burning it.

No smell of smoke

Heats tobacco & nicotine without burning it

No second-hand smoke and no ash

With IQOS there is no fire and therefore no smoke or ash follows - and no cleaning required, ever, with our latest ILUMA series!

Try IQOS ILUMA

How to use ammonia to remove nicotine

If you want to try cleaning nicotine stains with ammonia, you can follow these steps:

1. Mix a solution - Use one part ammonia and three parts water or buy a ready-made ammonia-based cleaner.
2. Wear gloves and ventilate the room - Ammonia has a strong odour and can be irritating to breathe. Make sure to open windows or use a fan.
3. Gently scrub the surface - Dip a cloth or sponge into the solution and rub gently on the discoloured surface.
4. Leave on for a short time - For difficult stains, you can let the solution sit for a few minutes before wiping.
5. Wipe with clean water - Make sure to rinse the surface thoroughly to remove ammonia residues. Repeat the whole process several times if necessary.

Can ammonia be used on all surfaces?

No, ammonia can be too strong for some materials and cause damage or discolouration, such as painted surfaces, wood and some textiles. Always test on a small, hidden surface first to see how the material reacts.

Are there other ways to wash away nicotine?

Yes, if you want to avoid ammonia, you can try:

• White wine vinegar and water - A milder but effective solution that can dissolve nicotine residues.
• Bicarbonate and water - Can be used on walls and furniture to neutralise odours and clean the surface.
• Specialised nicotine cleaners - Available in shops and gentle on different materials.

If the discolouration is very difficult to remove, it may be necessary in some cases to repaint walls and ceilings or replace wallpaper and textiles if the smell of smoke has really taken hold.