tips on getting rid of smoke damage in your home

It’s not only the fire which can cause damage to a home, but the smoke as well. The fumes can contain irritants or even toxic substances, and lingering odors can serve as a constant reminder of a harrowing experience. While it’s best to hire a professional to get rid of smoke damage, some people choose to tackle it on their own.

Protective Clothing:

As with any cleanup operation, it is very important that one wears the right protective clothing. It is tempting to think that it’s just smoke damage. What harm could it do other than leave lingering odors? Well it can do a lot. Depending on what was burnt, the smoke created can contain any number of toxic chemicals. Even if this is not the case, the dust is not good for anyone’s respiratory system. As such, the minimum clothing required is long gloves, a dust mask and goggles.

Cleaning Supplies:

It’s no use getting all suited up and ready to clean, only to realize that one doesn’t have the proper cleaning supplies. It’s best to get everything together beforehand so there’s no need to disturb the cleaning up. The exact supplies needed would depend on the degree of damage. One of the best things for getting rid of smoke damage is a Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) cleaner, but be warned that this can be very abrasive on hands. Other items needed include buckets, rags, sponges and a supply of warm water.

Cleaning Process:

Everything in the home will need to be wiped down to get rid of the top layer of dust and soot. This is best done with a soft cloth and a gentle cleanser. Use another cloth to dry and then switch to fans to complete the drying process. In areas where there is more smoke damage, it may be necessary to use a harsher cleanser. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully as these can be corrosive if used improperly and can lead to discoloration or other damage. Wipe these sections carefully with a clean, damp cloth to remove any excess cleaner.

As one can well imagine, this is no easy process. It takes a lot of work to eliminate smoke damage and it’s often more than one person, or even a few people, can handle. If one thinks that the task is overwhelming there’s always the option of hiring a specialist restoration company. They’ll be able to assess what needs to be done and have the expertise to do it.