House fires, fireplaces, lit candles—all forms of fires can lead to smoke and soot collecting on home surfaces. The effects are more serious than just staining; smoke and soot present serious health risks, which is why prompt removal is so important.
Cleaning smoke and soot can be difficult when the pollutants collect in hard-to-reach places, such as your walls and ceilings. This guide walks you through the cleaning process and provides recommended tools to use, along with some do’s and don’ts of smoke and soot cleaning. We’ll also discuss when it’s best to call a professional smoke and soot cleanup technician to get the job done.
Before beginning the cleaning process, there are a few preparatory steps you’ll need to take. The first is to wear the appropriate safety gear—including a face mask, safety goggles, and gloves—that help you avoid touching or inhaling smoke and soot particles. Next, you may want to put down a tarp to protect your floors during the cleaning process, particularly if there is a lot of soot on the ceiling.
Proper ventilation is also essential. Open the windows to let in fresh air, and use fans to aid air circulation. It’s wise to turn off your HVAC system during the cleaning process so soot doesn’t get into your air ducts. That said, you should still check and clean your vents after soot cleaning.
Finally, have all of your cleaning supplies ready to use, and know the order in which to use them. Applying cleaning tools out of order may smear the soot and elongate the cleaning process.
Here is a complete list of the supplies you’ll need:
Once you’ve prepared your home for cleaning and you’re wearing your protective gear, you can start removing the smoke and soot. There are four key steps to cleaning:
Step 1: Vacuum
Start at the ceiling, then direct the vacuum’s nozzle or crevice cleaner down the walls. Make sure the end of the vacuum does not touch the surface to avoid smearing; leave about a half-inch of space to avoid contact.
Step 2: Wipe with a Dry Sponge
It’s important not to use any wet products before wiping the walls with a dry sponge designed specifically for cleaning soot. Moisture at this stage would make it more difficult to remove soot.
Apply gentle downward strokes on the walls and ceiling, being careful not to smear. The sponge will pick up soot quickly, and when that happens, you can switch to the clean side.
Step 3: Switch to a Wet Cleaning Method
Get as much soot off with the dry sponge as possible. If smoke stains and soot remain, use a cleaning solution of dish detergent and warm water. Some sources recommend the addition of trisodium phosphate (TSP) for heavy-duty jobs. However, if you do have severe soot and smoke damage, it’s best to contact a professional cleanup service.
With your cleaning solution, use a new, regular sponge or microfiber cloth to clean the remaining soot. Wring out the sponge frequently, as it will blacken from soot absorption.
Step 4: Rinse and Dry
After cleaning with the sponge and detergent solution, rinse the area with clean water. Use a dampened cloth, then dry completely using a towel.
While large amounts of smoke and soot accumulation can be serious, this doesn’t mean you can never light a candle again. Practicing fire safety can prevent greater problems down the road. To maintain a safe, smoke-free environment:
While cleaning your walls and ceiling yourself may be enough to remove limited amounts of smoke and soot, the remnants of a house fire or a large accumulation of soot over time will likely require professional intervention. The following signs indicate it’s time to call your local professional restoration company.
Another reason to call a professional is if you’re uncertain or have questions about the cleaning process. If this sounds like you, skip the DIY steps and leave the cleanup to the restoration experts.
A professional restoration company has the technical experience and fire damage training to lead the smoke removal process. Not only will your local restoration team utilize expert smoke removal techniques and specialized equipment, but they will also take care of other stages of fire damage restoration—from assessment to reconstruction and every step in between.
During smoke and soot removal, your professional restoration team will
DIY smoke and soot cleanup is best for small cases, such as from candles or above the fireplace. If you have recently recovered from a house fire, however, call a restoration company that specializes in soot and smoke cleanup, like Sierra Restoration. Large accumulations can be more difficult to clean, requiring industry-level equipment.
Since 2010, Sierra Restoration has provided Utah and Idaho communities with exceptional home restoration services. Our trusted team applies our motto to every job: “Restoring dreams one home at a time – with value, quality, and timeliness in mind.”
Schedule your emergency appointment with Sierra Restoration, or call (435) 563-4007.
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