There’s no doubt about it — fires are devastating events, leaving a lot of destruction in their wake. Recovering from a fire and the inevitable smoke damage that comes with it might be even more challenging than you’d expect. 

It doesn’t just end with cleaning smoke damage, though. You also likely have to deal with water damage, dangerous soot pollution, and more. 

Whether you fell victim to a blazing house fire or just burned the Thanksgiving turkey, don’t underestimate the tiny smoke particles that have bonded to every surface, leaving behind major damage.

Learn how to effectively clean smoke damage and other helpful tips regarding smoke damage cleaning here.

 

Table of Contents

 

how to remove fire smoke smell

 

Can Smoke Damage Be Remedied?

We get it, the aftermath of a fire is startling. Apart from everything you’ve likely lost, there’s the destruction of valuables and possessions you can’t replace. But the thing that surprises you the most is the amount of smoke damage staring you in the face.

Is it a total loss, or is it possible to effectively clean smoke damage?

Luckily, specialized equipment and modern technology make it possible to remove soot and smoke damage from many surfaces if attended to promptly, including:

  • Walls
  • Countertops
  • Furniture
  • And more

 

Does Cleaning Smoke Damage Require a Professional?

Smoke damage and odor can be difficult to remove no matter how big or small the fire, continuing to threaten the air quality and health of everyone around even after the fire has been extinguished. 

Make no mistake, cleaning smoke damage isn’t as simple as wiping down with regular cleaning products and lighting a candle to mask the odor.

Even with minimal visible damage, the smallest fire can trigger enough smoke to seep into every corner of your home. Depending on the severity of the fire and your ability to do a thorough deep clean of your space, you might consider calling in the professionals. 

Pure Environmental offers a smoke damage cleaning service that uses specialized equipment to effectively remove smoke damage and odors from your home or business as quickly, efficiently, and safely as possible.

 

how to get rid of fire smoke smell

Determining How To Clean Smoke Damage Depends on the Type of Incident

Before you can begin the process of cleaning smoke damage and removing the odor from your home, you need to know the type of fire you had and determine the damage to decide on appropriate materials and the necessary approach for cleaning.

Consider these important questions to evaluate smoke damage following a fire:

  • How big was the fire? A bigger fire likely burned many more materials, producing a considerable amount of smoke.
  • How big is the area where the fire occurred? The smaller the space, the more concentrated the smoke damage and odor. Smaller spaces tend to retain smoke odor longer.
  • How long did the fire burn before it was extinguished? A prolonged fire has more smoke and the odor has more time to penetrate the carpets, furniture, and other surfaces.
  • Were any materials burned in the fire? Different materials can affect the severity of smoke damage and odor. The same goes for structural vs. non-structural fires.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) shares the following stats regarding leading causes of home fires and areas of concern:

  • Cooking is by far the leading cause of home fires and injuries in the U.S. each year, and the second-leading cause of home fire deaths.
  • Heating equipment is the second-leading cause of home fires and the third-leading cause of home fire deaths.
  • Electrical equipment is the third-leading cause of fires.
  • Smoking materials are the leading cause of fatal fires in the home, causing about 560 deaths per year.

 

Non-Structural Incidents

Just as it sounds, non-structural fires do not damage the structural components of a building.

In 2002, 51% of the reported fires in the United States were non-structural, non-vehicle fires or other fires that did not fit into any standard category. 

They included things like:

  • Stovetop fires
  • Microwave fires
  • Dryer fires
  • Fireplace blowback
  • Chimney smoke backdrafts
  • Wood-burning ovens

 

Cleaning Smoke Damage and Odor From a Non-Structural Incident

Before cleaning smoke damage, you first need to identify where the smoke damage is. It can often be found in areas well away from where the fire happened, so doing a thorough inspection is key. Determine where there is smoke damage by identifying areas with:

  • Blackened or streaked soot
  • Black dust
  • Discolored paint

Once you’ve identified all the affected areas, you can begin the smoke damage cleaning process:

    1. Open up as many windows as possible – Ventilation can help limit the damage and speed up the cleaning process, so also turn on any fans you can. You can also force fresh air in and smokey air out of individual rooms by:
      • Opening the door and setting up a fan facing into the house
      • Closing all but one window in the room
      • Turning the fan on its highest speed and letting it blow for at least 15 minutes
      • Closing the window and door to that room
      • Repeating the process in every room
  • Complete a deep clean – Smoke odor may be improved with ventilation, but now it’s time to tackle the damage and keep the odor from inevitably returning. Begin by focusing on areas of direct impact:
      • Wash all solid surfaces with a cleaning solution mixture of dish soap, white vinegar, and water.
      • Mop any wood, tile, or vinyl flooring with the same solution, rinsing with fresh water each time to keep the smoke particles from spoiling the cleaning solution.
      • Remove and wash any curtains, rugs, blankets, pillows, etc., and store the items outside the home until the smoke damage and odor are completely cleared.
      • Clean carpets using baking soda and a vacuum and/or steam cleaning.
      • Wash surfaces like windows, screens, shades, and blinds with white vinegar and warm water solution.
      • Change all air and furnace filters on your HVAC system and contact your HVAC professional to check for damage from the fire.
      • Replace any items with lingering smoke damage or odors after your deep cleaning is complete.
  • Perform an Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) – An AOP efficiently removes organic contaminants like odors, VOCs, viruses, bacteria, etc. from water, air, and soil. Its technology can:
    • Rapidly oxidize and neutralize air and surface impurities
    • Eliminate odors
    • Improve indoor air quality
    • Pinpoint the source of odors

Sounds like a lot of work, right? The experienced professionals at Pure Environmental offer emergency mitigation services that utilize cutting-edge AOP technology — PurAyr™ — to rapidly oxidize and neutralize air and surface contaminants and leave your home or office smelling great again. 

 

fire smoke removal from house

 

Combustion Fire

The NFPA reports that more than one-quarter (26%) of reported fires between 2016 and 2020 occurred in home environments. During these five years, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 350,800 home structure fires per year.

Many structural fires destroy the physical structure of a building or home and oftentimes include the combustion of materials.

 

Cleaning Smoke Damage After a Combustion Fire

First things first — assess the fire and smoke damage by asking yourself the following questions:

  • What was the size of the fire?
  • What is the size of the space where the fire occurred?
  • How long did the fire burn?
  • What type of materials were burned?

Once you have a handle on the situation, your first concern should be to repair any critical structural damage to the building so it is safe to enter. Anything that cannot be repaired should be replaced. When your space is structurally sound, you can begin the process of decluttering and deodorizing, following the same cleaning steps as a non-structural fire.

Structural fires that involve the combustion of materials often endure more severe damage, so cleaning will likely be more in-depth. Items may need to be removed from the premises and cleaned off-site. However, the same — if not more — diligence and attention to detail should be applied to fully eliminate smoke damage and odor.

Sounds extensive, right? Let the professionals at Pure Environmental take on the task. You’ll likely need to vacate the premises, but most insurance companies will cover your living expenses during this time. The experts at Pure Environmental know how to handle dealing with insurance companies, too, ensuring the process is handled as best as it can be.

 

how to get rid of fire smoke smell

 

Tips for a Successful Smoke Damage Cleaning

To ensure the best emergency mitigation process following a fire, contact the professionals. But, should you choose to take on the job yourself, here are some helpful tips:

  • Products containing trisodium phosphate (TSP) can reduce smoke odors in fabrics; be sure to read labels for safety instructions and directions.
  • Test garments and fabrics before treating.
  • Use a mild soap or detergent, or mix TSP, a household cleaner, and warm water to effectively remove soot and smoke damage from walls. Rinse surfaces with warm water and dry thoroughly.
  • Wash walls one small area at a time, working from the floor up, rinsing with clean water. Save ceilings for last. 
  • Reduce mold and mildew growth by wiping down all wet surfaces with a solution of bleach and water.
  • Consult a professional about drywall and insulation replacements, if necessary.
  • Wash pots, pans, flatware, etc. with soapy water, rinse, and polish.
  • Stuff bags with newspaper to retain shape.
  • Wear protective clothing, including work gloves, masks, and heavy-soled shoes.
  • Wet debris down to minimize breathing in dust particles.
  • Have all textiles cleaned by a professional including carpet, curtains, furniture, ect.

 

after fire smoke smell removal

 

How Long Does It Take for a Fire Smoke Smell To Go Away?

It depends. If you’ve experienced a small cooking fire, the smoke odor might disappear rather quickly. If you’ve suffered a structural fire, it could be weeks or more before the smell of smoke is completely gone. 

To ensure a complete and quick smoke odor eradication, call the professionals. 

Pure Environmental is experienced and uses cutting-edge technology and equipment to ensure a safe and quick mitigation and restoration process. Contact us today.

 

Pure Environmental: Experienced Professionals for Smoke Damage Cleaning and Other Emergency Mitigation Services

In the unfortunate event that you require our services, Pure Environmental is dedicated to top-quality emergency mitigation services following a fire. We understand how extensive smoke damage can be, which is why turning to the professionals can save you the hassle and shed light on a situation you are (hopefully) unfamiliar with. 

Pure Environmental uses a variety of treatments, equipment, and technology to expertly manage the restoration process. Our high-quality, environmentally friendly, innovative, and timely work can be the sweet relief you need after facing a disaster. 

Contact us today to discuss how we can help.

 

how to get rid of fire smoke smell