Printable Reference Checklist
Smoke Odor Removal Checklist
For property managers, realtors, and landlords in Orange County.
Check off each step as completed. Use the print button to save a physical copy.
📋 Unit / Property Information
Mild / Moderate / Severe
Overall Progress
0 / 0 completed
1 Initial Inspection
✓
Smell test at front door — characterize odor type (cigarette / cannabis / pipe / other)
✓
Room-by-room odor intensity assessment — note which rooms are worst
Document with written notes and date-stamped photos
✓
HVAC inspection — does turning on the system release smoke odor into the space?
If yes, ductwork is contaminated and must be addressed
✓
Wall and ceiling visual inspection — look for yellowish nicotine film, especially around windows and ceiling fixtures
✓
Carpet condition — note if carpet has absorbed smoke odor (will need replacement in heavy cases)
✓
Determine odor history — how many years, how many smokers, was it limited to certain rooms?
2 Pre-Treatment Steps
✓
Replace HVAC filter All severity levels
A smoke-saturated filter re-releases odor every time the system runs. First step, always.
✓
Remove heavily contaminated soft goods Severe only
Carpet and drapes in severe smoking situations. These are the biggest odor reservoir and cannot be reliably treated in place.
✓
Remove remaining personal property and furnishings that will not be treated
✓
Ensure unit is fully vacated — all people, pets, and plants out before treatment begins
3 Surface Treatment
✓
TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) wash of all wall and ceiling surfaces Moderate–Severe
Dissolves nicotine film from surfaces before primer. Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry completely before priming.
✓
TSP wash of wood trim, door frames, window frames, and cabinets
✓
Professional ozone treatment — schedule and complete BEFORE priming and painting
Ozone addresses VOCs on surfaces and in air. More effective before walls are sealed with primer.
✓
Apply shellac-based primer (Zinsser B-I-N) to all wall and ceiling surfaces Moderate–Severe
Creates vapor barrier. Two coats for heavy contamination. Ventilate during application — strong solvent smell.
✓
Apply shellac primer to wood surfaces (cabinets, trim) with heavy contamination
✓
Apply fresh topcoat of standard latex paint over dried shellac primer
4 Air and System Treatment
✓
Professional ozone treatment — run with HVAC on fan mode to distribute through ductwork
Minimum 2-hour cycle for moderate odor. 4+ hours for severe. Must be done with space fully vacated.
✓
Air out unit thoroughly after ozone treatment — minimum 1–2 hours with windows open before re-entry
✓
Professional HVAC duct cleaning Long-term smoking
Required if system circulated smoke for more than 6 months. Without this, the system will re-contaminate treated surfaces.
✓
Install new HVAC filter after all treatment is complete
5 Flooring
✓
Assess carpet condition post-treatment — odor test after ozone and priming are complete
✓
Replace carpet and padding if still odorous after surface treatment and ozone Severe
Heavily contaminated carpet cannot be reliably treated. Replacement is faster and more cost-effective than repeated cleaning attempts.
✓
Clean or replace hard surface flooring if contaminated
6 Documentation
✓
Move-out inspection photos — before any treatment begins, with date stamp
✓
Professional service report with before-and-after air quality readings from odor removal vendor
Essential for security deposit disputes and owner reporting. OC Refresh provides this on every job.
✓
Receipts for all professional services — odor treatment, duct cleaning, carpet replacement
✓
Vendor COI on file naming your company as additional insured
✓
Itemized deduction statement prepared within 21 days of move-out (California law)
✓
Final smell test after all work is complete — confirm unit meets your standard before re-leasing
OC Refresh — Your Preferred Smoke Odor Vendor
Flat per-unit pricing · Same-day scheduling · Before-and-after IAQ documentation · COI ready every job
📞 (949) 354-4313
Get a Quote →
