Content Cleaning: How To Salvage Smoke Damaged Materials

12/26/2018 (Permalink)

Fire cleaning in a Carrollton, TX home

How To Salvage Smoke Damaged Materials

A fire can result in significant material loss. While dry-cleaning and other professional services may be your best option for salvaging smoke damaged materials, they inevitably cost money, so why not try a DIY approach first.

1. Assess Salvageability

Before attempting any content cleaning, it is essential to figure out what is salvageable. The truth is that fire and smoke do significant damage, some of which is irreversible. If clothing is scorched or the material is marred, it is better to replace the item. However, you can and likely should consult with a professional before discarding anything of significance.

2. Vacuum or Shake Off Excess Soot

Before washing, you should vacuum or shake off excess soot. Do not scrub the items or attempt to use an upright vacuum or a brush attachment, as these items will only grind the residue deeper into the fabric or material. Instead, use a nozzle attachment and, hovering slightly above the surface, slowly vacuum away loose soot.

3. Deodorize and Wash

Once all loose soot is removed, you can begin the deodorizing process. While you can soak many household fabrics, like curtains and furniture covers, in a tub of warm water and dishwashing detergent overnight, some materials may require specialized services, like dry-cleaning and carpet cleaning. Additionally, items that can be machine washed may need multiple washings to remove any standing odors entirely.

4. Seek Professional Assistance

There are instances where you may need the assistance of a professional to remove odors and smoke damage. A Fire remediation specialist in the Carrollton, TX, area can assist you in facilitating the assistance of cleaning services that specialize in smoke and fire damage. Additionally, they may even be able to help you in finding appropriate content storage as your home is repaired.

While it may seem like an easy task to clean smoke damaged materials, there is a process. Unfortunately, for many DIYers, part of that process often includes the use of professional cleaning services, like dry-cleaning. However, if you are so inclined, you can try to vacuum away loose soot, deodorize the materials and wash everything several times to salvage your smoke damaged materials.