Soot from a small kitchen fire can stain walls and textiles.
Smoke and soot from even the smallest fire can spread far. Cleaning up after a fire is equal parts fast action and caution. Improper cleaning techniques can worsen fire damage, pushing gritty soil deeper into fibers, allowing mildew to grow on damp surfaces and allowing soot to etch metal trims. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Clear the air in the house. Open the windows if possible. If your house uses forced hot air or an air conditioner, change the filter daily until it is clear of soot. Tape or tack cheesecloth over the intake and outlet air registers to collect any soot particles in the air and in the house's heating and cooling system.
2. Vacuum furniture, carpeting, mini-blinds and draperies. Hold the nozzle slightly above or away from the textiles to avoid pushing oily soot deeper into the fibers. Remove dust and loose particles before washing any textiles. Blinds and drapes may need to be washed or dry cleaned to eliminate smoke odor. Wipe down all the leaves of houseplants, as the soot can kill them.
3. Clean quickly with household cleaners. Chrome, stainless steel and appliances will permanently tarnish and porcelain and marble can etch if not cleaned quickly. Wipe down switch plate covers, ceiling fan blades casings and windows. Wipe down wood surfaces with wood soap. Rinse and finish with orange oil. Wipe appliances and mop floors with a solution of 1 cup vinegar to 1 gallon of water.
4. Wipe walls and washable wallpaper with non-water based cleaner. Test cleaners in an inconspicuous area. Water-based cleaners will cause the soot stain to bleed and penetrate deeper and it is likely you will need to repaint and re-paper walls if the stain is extensive.
5. Vacuum loose soot from the carpet, holding the nozzle above the carpeting so carpet brushes don't force dust deeper into the pile. Remove the soot before shampooing or cleaning the carpet. Extract water from the carpeting if water was used to douse the fire. Use a spray made for odors in carpets and fabrics. Put small bowls of vinegar out to help absorb odors.
Tags: deeper into, Wipe down, deeper into fibers, into fibers, soot from
