Fire and Smoke Damage Clean Up Tips

Having a fire damage one’s home is one of the most distressing things that can happen to a person. The loss of so many things that one holds dear can be psychologically scarring. It might be a hard thing to face but getting in there and cleaning up as quickly as possible is the best way to get some semblance of normality back. Don’t just go in without a plan though. There are some things that can be done:

• Food is something that one needs to pay extra attention to. Some food items can be negatively affected by the high temperatures of the fire. It’s best to throw out anything that one isn’t sure about. Refrigerators should be emptied and thoroughly cleaned. Smoke damage is an issue here but the odor can be reduced, if not eliminated, by leaving the refrigerator door open for a while and placing an open container of baking soda inside. Never plug back in appliances without first having them checked by a trained technician.

• Dust and soot can be removed from the walls by using regular cleaning sponges. Start off with dry sponges to eliminate the majority of the surface dirt, and then move on to a wet sponge. Be careful though. This depends on the type of wall covering. Wallpaper etc. should never be exposed to moisture and may need to be removed entirely.

• Even if they have not been affected by fire damage, anything that is made of fabric will retain the smell of smoke for a long time afterwards. This is one of the worst effects of smoke damage, both physically and psychologically. Draperies can be taken down and washed but furniture may need to be treated with a special cleaner. At the very least, take them out into the sun for a bit.

• Evaluate any floor coverings. In some cases it might be able to restore them. However, especially in the case of plush carpeting, replacement might be the only option if they’ve been affected by the fire or by the water used to put it out.

Of course there is only so much that one can, and should, do on one’s own. Not only can it be harrowing to go through one’s damaged possessions but one also runs the risk of doing more harm than good through a lack of knowledge. It’s better to let an experienced fire damage restoration company handle the task. They’ll know what to do eradicate all signs of fire and smoke damage.