Helpful Tips That Will Help You Get Rid of Soot and Smoke Odor After a House Fir

Posted by Total Restoration Kelowna on January 20th, 2021

Your house has been devastated by fire and now you are left to deal with the aftermath, which usually entails getting rid of soot and the smoke odor in your home. These problems can still linger long after the fire.

The first thing you should do is to air out your home to get rid of the smoke odor. Open windows and doors to allow fresh air to ventilate your home. Sort out your household items that can still be used and get rid of those that are beyond repair.

1. Use soap and detergent to remove soot

The mixture of detergent and soap will help remove the soot on those walls and floors. As an alternative, you can mix a cup of your preferred household cleaner or a stronger solution like chlorine bleach with 4 tablespoons of tri-sodium phosphate. Mix them with a gallon of lukewarm water.

When using this mixture to scrub your walls and floors, be sure to protect your hands by wearing a pair of rubber gloves. Rinse the solution thoroughly with water and wipe them dry with a clean cloth before allowing them to air dry.

2. Use tri-sodium phosphate to get rid of smoke odor in curtains and upholstery

Check to see if the cleaning product contains this ingredient. Just be sure to protect your hands as mentioned above because this has caustic properties.

3. Start at the bottom and work your way to the top

Soot can get everywhere and can get streaky. This is why it is best to work on your floors first before going all the way to the ceiling.

4. Wash clothes and dry up shoes

You can simply follow the cleaning instructions of the garment manufacturer. You can also use tri-sodium phosphate to clean your smoke-damaged clothes. Mix it with a cup of bleach and a gallon of water. You can also use your laundry detergent and add some vanilla extract to completely eliminate the smoke odor.

5. Be careful of dust particles

Wear a mask when you are cleaning your house. It’s also good to wet down the floor areas to prevent dust particles from going airborne.

Get extra help when cleaning your home after a fire. You also need to have it inspected by restoration companies. The damage could go beyond the walls and into your home’s insulation and drywall. The water from putting out the fire could damage these areas and need to be restored by restoration companies as their structural integrity could be compromised already.

Look for reputable restoration companies in Kelowna such as Total Restoration. The sooner you can hire restoration companies in Kelowna, the faster you will get your home back in its original shape.

Tom Johnson is the author of this article. For more details about Sewer Backup Kelowna please visit our website: totalrestoration.ca/kelowna