How to Clean Smoke Damage on Walls and Ceilings
See through the smoke with this simple cleaning guide
- Vacuum cleaner with hose attachment
- Safety goggles
- Safety gloves
- N95 mask
- Bucket
- Soot sponge
Dealing with smoke damage can feel overwhelming, especially when your walls and ceilings are covered in soot. But the good news is, you can often fully remove the damage and restore your walls and ceilings to their original appearance. This simple guide will walk you through the process from start to finish.
Prepping to Clean Smoke Damage
Before you start cleaning, make sure you have all of the above-mentioned tools and supplies at the ready. You should also protect yourself from fumes and soot by wearing a long-sleeved shirt, safety gloves, safety goggles, and an N95 mask. Finally, cover any nearby furniture with a dropcloth so it doesn't get dirty during cleanup.
Ventilate the Room
Photo: Olga Rolenko / Moment / Getty ImagesBefore you start cleaning, open any nearby windows to get fresh air flowing. You should also turn off your HVAC system to prevent soot from seeping into other areas in your home. This step can also help protect you from inhaling smoke particles while expediting the cleaning process.
Assess the Damage
Assess the smoke damage to identify all areas affected by soot. In some cases, the soot is difficult to see and might look like a shadow, so take time to thoroughly inspect every potentially affected area. And don't forget to look on the ceiling.
Vacuum Loose Soot
Photo: Virojt Changyencham / Moment / Getty ImagesBefore applying a cleaning solution, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter and a hose attachment to vacuum up any loose soot. But be careful not to smear the soot when vacuuming, as this can make it harder to clean up. Instead, hold the hose about a half-inch away from the soot, vacuuming from the top down since some soot is likely to travel downward during vacuuming.
Apply a Soot Sponge
Next, use a dry soot sponge, also called a chemical or dry-cleaning sponge, to lift soot away from the wall. Make sure you don't wet the sponge, as it will inhibit its cleaning ability. Instead of rubbing the sponge on the walls and ceiling, use light, quick downward strokes to lift the soot. Once the sponge becomes discolored, switch to a clean side or slice away the dirtied part to reveal a clean surface and resume cleaning.
Mix a Cleaning Solution
Photo: Catherine Falls Commercial / Moment / Getty ImagesIf you can't remove all of the soot using a dry sponge method, mix a cleaning solution of one cup of bleach, one tablespoon of Trisodium Phosphate (TSP), and one gallon of water. Since TSP can be caustic, wear gloves and goggles during this step.
Apply the Cleaning Solution
Dip a microfiber cloth or regular sponge (not the soot sponge you used during step four) into the solution and gently scrub the affected area using a circular motion. Work from the top down. Rinse the sponge or cloth frequently under a faucet or in a clean bucket of water to avoid redepositing soot on the walls and ceiling while cleaning.
Rinse and Dry the Area
Photo: baona / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty ImagesOnce you clean off all of the soot, dip a cloth or sponge in clean water and give your walls and ceilings a final rinse. Keep the windows open and turn on any nearby fans to expedite the drying process. You can also turn your HVAC system back on.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
In many cases, you can clean light or moderate smoke damage yourself using the aforementioned method. But if you have extensive smoke or fire damage, save yourself the trouble and call a fire restoration company for the best and safest results.
Questions to Ask the Fire Damage Restoration Company
Hiring a professional company can remove a lot of the headache that comes with fixing smoke damage and cleaning your home yourself. You just have to make sure you get the right fire damage restoration company out to your house.
Don’t hire the first company you find. Instead, contact several businesses until you find one that works for you. The first phone call can help you narrow down your options based on their experience, knowledge, and price. Before you move forward with hiring anyone, schedule an in-person meeting where they can look at the damage and give a more accurate assessment. This is an opportunity to get a better quote and ask any extra questions you may have.
Use this list of questions as you move your conversations from the phone to on-site:
Are you licensed?
How many years of experience do you have?
What restoration experience do you have?
Can you provide customer testimonials on your recent work?
Do you have insurance coverage, and does it cover accident damages?
Do you offer warranties or guarantees?
Are you available immediately?
How long will the restoration take?
Can we stay in our home during the restoration?
How much will the job cost?
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it's common for homeowners insurance to cover smoke damage as it's considered a covered peril under most policies. Make sure to carefully document all of the damage, including damage to furniture and other items, when you file an insurance claim so you can be properly compensated. But keep in mind that very high-value items might not be covered, so make sure to read your policy closely so you can figure out what can be replaced and what you should throw away.
If the smoke damage is very light, such as soot from a candle or incense, it's safe to stay in the house. However, if the damage is extensive, you don't want to stay in the house until you clean up all of the soot since inhaling it can pose health problems.
In many cases, smoke damage can be completely removed from walls and ceilings. But if you struggle to remove any residue, you might consider repainting or wallpapering the walls to cover it up. However, some items, like upholstered furniture, are much trickier to clean and might need to be replaced.
