Removing Smoke Odor

4/16/2021 (Permalink)

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) there are over 358,000 home structure fires each year. Before I provide a few cleaning steps below, I want to mention that if there is any kind of soot lingering in your home, you should leave the removal to SERVPRO of Frankfort. Soot can be very dangerous, especially if it contains residue from chemicals, plastics, or any other caustic materials that have burned.

The cleaning steps below should help remove that lingering smoke odor in your home;

1. Air out your home:

• Airing out and getting fresh air into your home is one of the best ways to start removing the smoke particles. Open any windows/doors, and be sure to remove screens. Then, put a few fans on high while aiming them at the room’s corners to help direct any smoke particles to the outside. 

2. Clean fabric items:

• Fabric holds smoke, so you should wash your clothing, curtains, pillows, sheets, comforters, area rugs, and anything else made of woven material. Be sure to follow washing instructions. Once washed, remove all woven items from the home to prevent them from reabsorbing the odor.

3. Have the upholstery cleaned:   

• Since fabric covered furniture can’t be put in the washer, it will still need to be cleaned to get rid of the lingering smoke smell. It is recommended to use a professional upholstery cleaning service. Again, keep pieces in storage or covered in plastic to keep them fresh until your home is clean.

4. Getting rid of the smoke smell in your carpet:

• Baking soda is one of the best ways to eliminate the odor. Start by sprinkling baking soda over the carpet, let it sit for several hours or even overnight, and then vacuum thoroughly. You can also steam clean your carpeting. If neither one of these techniques work, it’s time to contact a SERVPRO of Frankfort for a deep cleaning. You may also need to replace the carpeting if the smell cannot be completely removed.

5. Clean hard surfaces:

• Start by making a cleaning solution that consists of 1 gallon of warm water, 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of dishwashing soap. For wooden objects such as blinds, I suggest purchasing a cleanser formulated to clean wood. Use a soft cloth or sponge to wipe away smoke that was exposed to all hard surfaces.
• Mop your hard floors using the cleaning solution and rinse the mop with fresh water in between mopping to flush smoke particles down the sink.
• Remove screens from the windows and wash them in the bathtub using dish soap. Be sure to wash the frames and corners of your windows as well. 

6. Change the air conditioning filter

• After every surface of your home has been cleaned, you will want to put a fresh filter in your air conditioning unit. If you have an HVAC or ventilation system, you need to contact a professional.

If you have followed all of these steps and the odor is still hanging around or the smoke damage is too overwhelming, it’s time to call SERVPRO of Frankfort at 815-485-6901 for assistance.