Removing tobacco stains from tile

[Roshan Taheri]

This is my first rental property purchase and we are fixing the place up. Prior tenant smoked so bad that there’s tobacco stains on the floors and light switches and walls. We got the walls covered and the light switches. The floor is proving more difficult as it’s a nonsmooth tile. Any suggestions on how to clean it? 

Here’s what I’m looking at (square is from rug we got rid of):

https://i.imgur.com/tWxRZKT.jpg

[Jim Shepard]

We bought a house this Spring that a smoker lived in for 16 years. Everything was coated with nicotine. Go to your local hardware store and get TSP. Put on gloves, mix in water and start wiping. You will be amazed at how it cleans the nicotine off. We used it on walls, ceilings, shower surround, wood cabinets, etc with great results. We then painted Kilz on the walls & ceilings. On the grout lines you are probably going to have to use a nylon scrubber. Might take 2 - 3 times to clean it. Lots of work - I hate smoke!