How to Remove Smoke Smell after a Fire

12/3/2021 (Permalink)

How to Remove Smoke Smell after a Fire

    A fire is a tragic accident that can take a very long time to heal from- emotionally and physically.  SERVPRO of Fredericksburg is here for you 100% along the way.  A big struggle people have after a home or building fire is getting rid of the smoke smell.  Stubborn smoke odors can linger in a home for quite a long time.  Smoke soaks into materials and makes the smell so hard to get rid of.  It seeps into your walls, your bedding, your furniture, your wood floor, your HVAC, it seeps into the entirety of the house.  This is why a professional is suggested.

Getting rid of the smell is a hard task but here is where you will want to start:  

    The first step to getting rid of the smell is airing out the house. Open all the doors and windows to give your home some breathing air.  Turn on high speed fans in each room and let each room air out for 20 minutes with fans in each of them! You clean every inch of the house to completely get rid of the smoke smell.  Drapes, curtains, table covers, clothing, everything must be washed. 

After the initial airing, then the deep cleaning begins. Deep clean every inch of the house to get rid of the smoke smell.  Drapes, curtains, tables, rugs, carpets, blinds, everything needs scrubbed, washed and cleaned. Wash all solid surfaces with a mixture of dish soap, white vinegar and warm water.  Unless you buy products from professionals, that’s a good mix to go with.  The HVAC system will need a very deep cleaning to stop the spread of the odor.  

Afterwards, repaint the walls and ceiling. The soot from the fire and the odor must be gone before you do this to ensure no smell will come back.  New paint covering will work to remove smoke odor if the soot is gone. Use cleaning products that contain ammonia or glycol.  When painting, apply a primer and use latex paint as a finish.

Professionals, such as SERVPRO are recommended for this job, as we have all the necessary equipment, cleaners, licensed crew chiefs, and products needed to completely deodorize smoke smell.