Smoke damage can leave behind a lingering odor, discoloration, and corrosion that are difficult to remove. It also poses risks to health, and is particularly harmful to lungs, which makes it all the more important to clean up after a fire. It’s a difficult task to complete, but it’s one that can be done with the right techniques and cleaning supplies.
Start by removing any items that are beyond salvageable, and make sure to keep safe as you do so. The next step is to survey the area and determine which rooms were affected by the fire. This can be a difficult and emotionally draining process, but it’s necessary to ensure that all areas have been cleaned to the best of your ability.
Once you’ve removed any obvious debris and ash from the areas of concern, you should start vacuuming. Make sure to use a vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. This will help to prevent the spread of soot around the room. Be careful when vacuuming porous surfaces, such as rugs and carpets. Vacuuming too forcefully can grind loose soot into them, making the stains harder to remove.
The next step is to clean the walls using a dry cleaning chemical sponge that is designed specifically for smoke restoration projects. Make sure to test the sponge on a small area before attempting a larger project. Afterwards, you should wash the wall with a mixture of commercial soot cleaner and a degreaser. You should then prime the wall with a solvent-based stain blocking primer to protect it from future smoke damage and odors. smoke damage clean up