When fire blazes, the items burnt on its destructive journey leave a distinctive odor. The smell left after smoke damage is a mix of damaged paint, plastic, wood and other materials. Needless to say, it’s less than inviting and affects the livability and breathability of your home.
The smell can also affect you physically, leaving you feeling nauseated and suffering headaches. Microscopic particles stubbornly stick to walls, floors, ceilings, clothing, fabrics, cabinets, and furniture, and it makes the smoke smell just as difficult to eradicate. So, how do you erase the smell left after smoke damage?
Let In Fresh Air
Open the windows to let the fresh air. Fans will help circulate the air, moving in the fresh air and pushing out the smoke smell.
Indoor air quality issues can persist, and that’s where restoration professionals must step in with professional grade fans and environmentally friendly tools to erase the smoke damage and smell.
Wipe Down Surfaces
Smoke rises and soot settles — on walls, windows and other surfaces. For lighter cases of smoke damage, you can use vinegar to cut through the soot and smoke smell.
Dilute a cup of vinegar with a gallon of water, or use less water if you need a stronger solution. Add a few drops of dish soap to the liquid mixture. Once combined, you can use this cleaner to naturally clean up the soot and reduce the lingering smoke smell.
Dry cleaning sponges also lift soot, and alkaline cleaners help to neutralize acids inside soot and erase the smell left after smoke damage. ECOS Environmental uses environmentally friendly cleaners to tackle persistent smoke damage and lingering odors. The damage can also linger in nooks and crannies like window screens.
Launder Clothing and Fabrics
Wash all fabrics. It will take some time, but it’s necessary to banish the smoke smell permanently.
Take down the curtains. Gather up the clothes. Launder all washable fabrics. Add some vinegar to the wash to help erase the smoke smell. Run the fabrics and clothes through as many cycles as necessary until the smell is gone.
Avoid using odor-masking sprays on non-washable fabrics as these will only hide the odor. Deodorizers will help reduce the smell, but you may need to try several passes. You can also hang up larger fabrics and rugs outside on a nice day to let the wind blow the smoke smell out.
Getting the Smoke Smell Out of Furniture and Carpets
What about furniture? Depending on the degree of smoke and damage, you may worry that you can save your furniture. What about your carpets?
Baking soda absorbs odors. Sprinkle it over upholstery and carpet. Wait for three hours. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to contain the smoke smell and baking soda.
More specialized cleaners are available, but misusing them may cause damage to your personal belongings. You may also worry about which cleaners are safe for your pets.
Professionally Clean AC/Heat Units
What if the smoke smell persists after all that effort? After letting in fresh air, wiping down surfaces and deodorizing your furniture and carpets?
Contact professionals to clean your air conditioning, heating and ventilating units. Once all ducts are clean, your home or business won’t circulate hidden smoke smell. Regularly change all filters.
Don’t spend unnecessary money trying to erase the smell left after smoke damage. Contact ECOS Environmental to sort your belongings in a climate controlled area, and we will bring in the right tools and expertise to banish the smell left after smoke damage for good.
ECOS Environmental is available 24/7 for Colorado residents, and we work around the clock to restore your home and business. We use green technology and cleaning products to clean up smoke smell and damage that won’t harm you or your pets. Contact ECOS today 24/7 at 888-375-3267 to speak with a senior manager about your project.
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