Having a house fire is already devastating. Not only because of the traumatic experience it can bring but also because it can be very destructive. It can destroy your home and personal belongings. However, dealing with fire doesn’t end after extinguishing it. You still have to deal with a smoke-damaged home. Smoke contains acid that can corrode materials like metal and etch glass, which can be more destructive if left unattended. 

Even the smallest fire that was extinguished quickly can still damage your possessions. It may have traveled throughout your home and affected your upholstery, carpet, walls, ceilings, clothing, and even the very structure of your home. In order to repair the smoke-damaged home, you have to clean up the smoke from your home. There can be many things that need to be done and cleaning off smoke damage can be a daunting task. Furthermore, smoke damage should be dealt with as soon as possible, because delaying it can make the matter worse. 

Here are the steps you can take to clean your smoke-damaged home. 

How To Clean Smoke-Damaged Home

Safety First

When it comes to cleaning fire and smoke-damaged home, safety comes first. Once the fire is out, you might be tempted to clean your home immediately. But, you have to remember that cleaning off the fire and smoke-damaged home requires health and safety precautions. So, before entering your home, talk to a fire marshal to know whether it is safe to re-enter your home. When entering, make sure to wear protective clothing such as masks, gloves, eye protection, and boots.

Assess The Damaged Items

Once you are able to enter your home, assess the damage to your belongings, and determine which of the items you should clean and which should be discarded. Aside from the severity of the damage, costs should also take into consideration when deciding what to salvage and not. Professionals, at Superior Restoration, can help you determine which items can be cleaned, replaced, and discarded within a smoke-damaged home.

Ventilate The Area

Open windows and doors whenever possible to allow fresh air in and set up fans to increase the amount of airflow inside the room of a smoke-damaged home. Doing this will help clear out smoke particles and reduce the smoke odor. If it is humid outside, close the windows and run a dehumidifier. Or, you may need to place multiple fans inside the room. 

Clean Smoke-Damaged Contents

Before cleaning the fire and contents of a smoke-damaged home, protect the unharmed areas with a drop cloth. When you are done, you can begin working.

• Walls and Ceilings

Begin cleaning smoke-damaged walls and ceilings by removing the soot particles that cling to them. There are several ways to do it. First, you can use a vacuum cleaner, holding the nozzle slightly above the surface of the affected area, moving back and forth, until all loose particles are removed. You can also clean the area with a dry chemical sponge. Wipe off the soot stains on walls and ceilings. Do it repeatedly until all particles are gone. Another effective cleaner for smoke-damaged walls and ceilings is Trisodium Phosphate (TSP). Add 1 tablespoon of TSP to a bucket with 1 gallon of warm water, then using a sponge, wipe off your walls and ceilings.

• Upholstery and Textiles

Start cleaning smoke damage from upholstery, textiles, and carpet by removing the soot. Soot can stain very easily on these materials, so it is important to remove them as soon as possible. Use a vacuum cleaner to do it. Remember not to use any brush attachments as they can push and force the soot and dirt further into the materials. When done, you can begin deodorizing these items. There are different ways of deodorizing textiles and upholstery. You can either use dishwashing liquid or bleach to clean them. For stubborn odors, it is best to hire professionals. They will use an ozone treatment technique that will completely remove the smell of smoke from your textiles. 

• Wooden Furniture

Cleaning wood furniture is a bit complicated and you would want to do it gently to prevent stripping the stain and varnish. Start removing the soot by wiping the surfaces with a dry chemical sponge. Be sure not to scrub the surfaces too hard because it can grind the soot particles deeper into the wood. Then, use a wood cleaner to clean off the entire surface. When done, wipe the furniture with a clean damp cloth and allow it to dry.  Restore the wood with polish.

Contact Professionals At Superior Restoration

The best course of action to take when it comes to mitigating the effects of smoke damage is to contact professionals. Though the steps above may be helpful, they don’t guarantee complete restoration. Fire and smoke damage restoration companies such as Superior Restoration have the right equipment and knowledge to clean and restore your home and personal belongings to their pre-loss condition. 

We, at Superior Restoration, provide fire damage restoration services. We have skilled technicians that can quickly respond to any emergencies. For fire damage restoration services, contact our local office today, Water Damage Riverside.