Smoke Odor Removal and Cleaning Tips

Clothing with Soot and Smoke Odor

Removing odors from your clothes is a challenging problem due to the wide variety of materials on the market today. Generally, it is best to launder washable fabrics.  Dry cleaning produces varied results.  Some dry cleaners have an ozone machine which helps remove odors.  For best results, contact a commercial cleaning firm.

Clothing that can withstand bleaching can often be cleaned as follows:

1.       Add four to seven tablespoons of trisodium phosphate and one cup of Lysol to one gallon of water.  Wash.  Rinse with clear water and dry thoroughly.

Or

2.   Add a half cup of ammonia to two gallons of water.  Wash.  Rinse in vinegar (use rubber gloves).  Rinse with clear water and dry thoroughly.

Remember - Always read the CARE LABEL before treating any garments.  If you have doubts about the cleaning, contact a commercial cleaning service.  

Leather Products

Wipe with a damp cloth, then with a dry cloth.  Stuff your purses and shoes with paper so they will retain their shape. Leave suitcases open to air them.  Steel wool or a suede brush can be used on suede.  Contact a commercial leather and suede cleaner for information.  

Smoke Odor Removal in the Home

Some companies specialize in removing the odor of smoke from walls and some contents.  Contact a commercial cleaning service.

Dishes, Pots, and Pans

Dishes

Wash in hot soapy water and rinse in hot water.  Dishwashers are excellent for cleaning dishes because of its high water temperature.

Note:  Most dishes can be soaked in a solution of one tablespoon of ordinary household bleach to one gallon

of lukewarm water for 30 minutes PRIOR TO WASHING.

Pots and Pans

Pots and pans can be sterilized by placing them in boiling water for at least ten minutes.

CAUTION - Some parts such as the handles and knobs of the pots and pans WILL NOT withstand the temperature of boiling water.  Remove them if necessary.

Walls, Wallpaper, and Linoleum Floors

Walls

Walls may be washed while it is still wet.  Use a mild soap or detergent and rubber gloves.  Wash small areas at a time, working from the floor up.  Rinse with clear water immediately.  Ceilings should be washed last.  DO NOT PAINT UNTIL THOROUGHLY DRY.  Contact a paint dealer for additional information.

Washable Wallpaper

1.   Ventilate the room for several days to dry the plaster as well as the wallpaper.

2.   If the wall paper is mildewed, wipe it with a cloth rinsed in thick soap suds and then clean with clear water.

3.   Paste edges or loosened sections back in place.

4.   When washing wallpaper, work quickly so it does not become soaked.  Work from the bottom to the top to prevent streaking.

Linoleum Floors

When water is underneath linoleum and remains for a period of time, odors and a breakdown of the wood begin. There are a number of ways to remove or lift the linoleum from the floor.  Contact a floor covering specialist if you need help.

CAUTION - For safety, keep all cleaning solutions or compounds (other than water) in a metal container equipped with a tight fitting metal cover.

Mildew

Mildew is a mold growth that will eventually weaken or rot fabrics.  To remove it, wash the stain with soap and water.  Rinse well and dry.  If the stain remains, use lemon juice and salt; a solution of a tablespoon of per borate bleach to a pint of lukewarm water; or dilute a solution of household chlorine bleach.  Test colored garments before using any treatments.

Upholstered Furniture, Mattresses, and Rugs

1.   Remove loose mold by brushing it off with a broom.  Do this outdoors to prevent scattering mildew spores in the house.

2.   Vacuum surfaces to remove any remaining mold.

3.   Thoroughly dry by using an electric heater or fan.

4.   If mildew remains, sponge lightly with thick detergent suds using only the foam; wipe with a clean, damp cloth.

5.   If mold has grown into the inner part of an article, have it evaluated by a commercial cleaner.

Removing White Spots on Furniture

1.   Wet a cloth of turpentine or camphorated oil and rub it on the spots.

2.   Wipe it dry immediately and polish with wax or furniture polish.

3.   For deep spots, use a drop or two of ammonia on a damp cloth and polish.