Soot is an odd contaminant, and this makes smoke damage hard to clean up. It is simultaneously dusty, which means it is blown around and scattered quickly, and oily, which means that it won’t just wipe away and it stains easily. All of this together means that soot damage is one of the harder problems to contend with regarding fire damage. Read on for ways to deal with soot damage on some common materials.
Safety First
Soot is more than a nuisance, it can be dangerous, so take the time to be safe. Always wear gloves to protect your skin from the soot and the cleaning products you will be using. You should also wear long sleeves and pants for the clean-up process. Make sure you cover your mouth and nose with a mask so that you don’t breathe in the soot. Finally, whenever possible, do the clean up outside. If you can’t move the item out, open all of the windows so that the area is well ventilated before you start cleaning.
Soot On Hard Surfaces
For soot damage on hard surfaces, such as walls, doors, and furniture, use a sponge and your regular cleaner. If those don’t work you may need to try Trisodium Phosphate or TSP. Mix 1 TBSP of this cleaner with 1 gallon of warm water and use a sponge to scrub the soot with the mixture. Once you’ve cleaned, wipe the surface with a wet towel. You may need to go over the same area multiple times.
Soot on Carpets And Upholstery
Start by sprinkling baking soda over the residue damaged area to try and gather up some of the excess smoke. Completely cover the stain with baking soda and let it sit for about 15 minutes, then vacuum it up. If you don’t have baking soda, you could also use cornstarch. When vacuuming, don’t touch the nozzle to the fabric, as this could grind in the soot further. Once most of the excess soot is gone, clean the rug or upholstery with a mixture of 2 cups of cool water and 1 TBSP Dishwashing liquid. Use a washcloth to blot the stain with the mixture until it comes out.
Soot On Other Fabrics
To remove soot from other fabrics, like clothes, start by gently shaking out as much of the soot as possible. Next, turn the material inside-out and run it under lukewarm water to rinse out as much of the soot damage as possible – avoid touching the damage while the water is running over it. Next, fill a bucket with warm water and laundry detergent and let the items soak for a least six hours or overnight if possible. Finally, once you have as much of the soot damage out as possible, wash the fabric the hottest water setting it can take, using bleach if you can. Don’t put the fabric through the dryer until you’re sure the stain is out or it will be totally set in.
QUESTIONS? TRUST NORTH ARUNDEL CONTRACTING
If you have even more questions about how to get rid of it, or if you want the professionals to take care of it for you, you can trust North Arundel Contracting. Reach us by telephone at 410-766-2855 or by fax at 410-553-2367 and visit us online. Shoot us an email at [email protected] and for after-hours emergencies, page us at 410-541-0328. To find out what we are up to, or for more tips and tricks, follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.