It may be tough to deal with the aftermath of smoke or fire damage in your home. Paint peels and chips away, leaving a thick oily residue on the walls that sticks like a permanent marker, and everything seems to be coated in a film. While cleaning up a smoke-damaged home is a nightmare, specific vital steps are taken to reduce the cost and time involved.
Cleaning Tips for Smoke Damage
The more prepared you are for what lies ahead, the more effective your action plan will be. Follow these steps when dealing with fire and smoke damage.
Furniture
Start by wiping the soot off any wood surfaces with a dry chemical sponge if your furniture may be preserved. Scrub lightly so that the smoke particles do not get embedded in the wood grain. Then, lightly wash down any wood surfaces with a 14 cup oil soap solution (or wood cleaner) in a gallon of warm water, using a cotton towel. Steel wool may be required to remove the stubborn soot from the wood. After you’ve removed all of the soot, wash off the furniture with a damp towel and air dry it.
Walls
Wipe down the walls and ceiling to remove any surface residue that is easily removed. Then dissolve one tablespoon of TSP in a gallon of warm water. Wear goggles, rubber gloves, and a face mask. After that, the sponge may be used to clean the damaged portions one by one.
You will need to re-rinse the walls with water after using the cleaner. If you have drywall, be careful not to oversaturate it with water since it may damage and encourage mold growth. If necessary, you will need to repair any damage, such as chipped and peeling paint or bubbling wallpaper. If you have wallpaper, it may be required to remove it and replace it.
Textiles
Before you can get rid of the smoke smell, you must first remove the soot from your fabrics and carpet. Vacuum the affected areas. Brush attachments should be avoided since they tend to drive dirt and soot deeper into the cloth fibers. Deodorize the affected areas after removing the soot. Because home remedies may only temporarily hide the stench, contacting a professional may be the best choice.
Hire Experts
If you have a lot of soot or smoke damage after a fire, call a professional. Cleaning and deodorizing walls and furniture is a difficult task that should be left to professionals. It may have been more cost-effective to hire a professional after you have acquired all of the required equipment and spent your own time trying to clean up the damage. You can check their website to know more about their services.
Conclusion
Repairing your home after it has been smoked may be a time-consuming and challenging task. Before you begin, carefully assess the problem and prepare for the work. If you’re not sure, hire a local expert to perform the heavy work.
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