Professionals use a heavy-duty suction machine to remove tough soil from walls and ceilings. A homeowner may use a vacuum wall brush attachment, emptying or changing the bag often. You may need to clean the wall brush in suds, rinsing and drying thoroughly before using again on clean surfaces; or buy a new brush.
Next treat clinging soot by applying the type of absorbent putty used to clean wallpaper. Then washable surfaces should be washed with suds. If repainting is needed this preliminary cleaning is vital because paint or varnish will not adhere to soil. Use moderately-strong alkali solution such as 2 tablespoons to a gallon of water of washing soda, trisodium phosphate or ammonia, for soil-based soot if soot does not come off readily with regular suds. May need to apply a sealer compound such as "BIN" before repainting (see "REMOVING SMOKE ODORS AFTER A FIRE" under ODOR. Wash windows, mirrors and lighting fixtures with lukewarm suds, adding a little ammonia to both the suds and rinse water. If woodwork is refinished with paint or enamel, pretreat and suds the same as walls. Heat causes most plastics to melt and fuse. If there is no heat damage, smoke and water have little or no serious effect and plastics can be washed with suds. Wash porcelain enamel with hot suds. A special cleaner of the type used for automobiles may be needed to remove heavy smoke discoloration. Removing Smoke Odor After A Fire Removable, washable/cleanable items Wash or dry clean, as appropriate, clothing, curtains, bedding, etc. Send area rugs out to be cleaned, or clean as described for carpets below. Walls: -Wash with ammonia or trisodium phosphate or detergent solution and rinse well. -Apply compound "BIN" (or others which act as both a sealer and a deodorizer). It seals the sooty residue which didn't wash off so it can't bleed through new paint; penetrates into dry wall and seals surface; seals smoky smell in. -Then repaint. Carpets: Do NOT shampoo. Extract with steam extractor. Hire professional truck-mounted unit, which is many times the horsepower of home rental units. Lingering Smell: If smoke smell lingers, rent a couple of ozone machines and put around house. They filter, circulate, and purify air. (Ozone is nature's way of purifying air.) Removal of smell is gradual but it works. Check on commercial air purifying machines to see what they recommend using for removing smoke odors (may vary among brands). Odor removers such as "Odor Away" and other brands may also help lingering odors. Cleaning Upholstery and Mattresses After A Fire Any piece of upholstered furniture heavily coated with soot should be cleaned by a professional service. If attempting to clean at home, vacuum the surface to remove spotty deposits of soot; then sponge with a turkish towel dipped in cleaning fluid. These and other solvents are very flammable. Work outdoors if possible or in well- ventilated rooms with open windows. Be absolutely sure there is no flame or spark anywhere in the area where it could ignite vapors from solvents--no flame, pilot light, spark, no smoking. Discard cloths in tightly closed metal can, in trash. You don't want to start another fire! Also avoid breathing vapors wile working. Read label on solvent and follow directions! The solvent will loosen oily soil so it can be wiped off with a dry cloth. If the upholstery is washable, the next step is to "shampoo" the entire surface with "dry"suds made by beating a handful of dampened detergent to make thick lather with no extra moisture to soak into the fabric. Or use upholstery shampoo. Use this dense lather on a sponge or soft brush to lightly scrub one section, and scrape the soiled suds off with a spatula or knife. Repeat with clean suds, then wipe that section with a clean damp cloth. Continue shampooing and rinsing until all the upholstery is clean. Wind a strip of clean cloth around a ruler, dip it into "dry" suds, and use it to wash between the seat and the arms or back of a chair or sofa. Wrap a clean damp cloth around the ruler to rinse those crevices the same way. Use only clean suds, clean water, and clean cloths. If a professional steam extraction service is hired to clean carpet, have them also clean upholstery and extract water. For quick drying, open window, and turn on an electric fan. If windows are closed, turn on air conditioner if you have one, and also at same time use dehumidifier in the room with upholstered furniture to pull out the water. Clean mattresses and foundations as for upholstery starting with dry cleaning solvent to reduce smoke odor but observe all the cautions and warning listed for use of these products. Before washing, let the solvent dry for a day or longer. Observe caution in using cleaning fluid. Read the label carefully and follow precautions suggested.Basic Salvage After A Fire 1. Fast action is advised. a) Separate and remove undamaged items to prevent possible contamination; b) Air the premises or use a smoke odor counteractant; c) Clean up; d) In cold weather, prevent further damage from freezing pipes by restoring heat or by draining boiler, pipes and toilet bowls; e) Board broken windows or holes to protect the property against trespassers and the elements; and f) Have an electrician check electric lines, motors, and other equipment. 2. Water must be removed. If there is a volume of water to be removed use a pump, broom or squeegee. Be careful not to cause added damage by splashing water. All moisture should be absorbed as rapidly as possible to prevent floors from warping. Sponge mops can be used to take up small amounts of water. Borrow or rent (from an equipment rental store) a wet-or-dry vacuum to extract excess water from carpets or other water-holding surfaces. Use a dehumidifier to pull water out of carpets, furniture and other materials have absorbed water. A heavy duty suction machine maybe required to remove deposits of heavy bulk soil. If the fire was caused by an oil burner explosion, everything is likely to be covered with oil-base soot which must be removed promptly. Moderately-strong solutions (washing soda, trisodium phosphate, ammonia in warm-to-hot water) dissolve grease and can be used to remove oil-base soot from surfaces. Wear rubber gloves on hands, and scrub with sponge or soft-bristle brush; rinse thoroughly with warm water and clean sponge or cloth, changing water frequently. Start with 2 tablespoonsful/gallon; add more alkali if needed to remove soot, but remember too strong a concentration can remove paint or other finishes. (However, walls, etc. will likely need to be repainted or refinished anyway.) Smoke residue contains combustion products which vary according to what was burned. Foam rubber, petroleum, and synthetic products which contain petroleum produce toxic smoke and leave an oily residue that is difficult to clean. Insurance companies usually assign adjusters to advise clients about property restoration. The homeowner may wish to engage a professional service organization that specializes in such cleaning to make the premises liveable again. Effective deodorization of smoke may require wide-area spray deodorization by a professional service firm that specializes in the treatment and repair of fire and smoke damage. However, many salvage operations can be performed by family members if they know the proper techniques. See also the entries under "FLOOD" for more information on drying out and cleaning up interiors. Remember though, cleaning after flooding includes disinfecting which may not be necessary after a fire. Quick drying is important to avoid mildew, rot, and stains.
