If there was recently a fire in your home, you might be dealing with a smoke odor problem. Even the smallest of fires could have produced enough smoke to stink up your house. Smoke is a problematic odor to control because it seeps into fabrics of fibers of things such as your:
1. Clothing
2. Couches
3. Upholstery
Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do to help minimize smoke odors. Below, you’ll find a step-by-step guide to help remove smoke odors from your home.
Take Any Burnt Materials Out Of Your Home
If there are materials that were burnt in the fire, you’ll want to remove those from your home ASAP. These materials are the source of the smoky smell. So long as they are still in your house, your home will continue to smell like smoke. So, if you can remove the materials from your home, do so immediately. Once outside, you can “air them out” naturally and put them back in your home when the smell is gone.
If the fire caused structural damage, you wouldn’t be able to remove the burnt materials from the home. In these cases, you should head to your local hardware store to pick up a sealant that will cover the area so that it does not emit any more smoky odors.
Begin Filtering The Air
Once you’ve removed or covered any burnt materials, you’ll want to begin purifying the air in the home. One of the best ways to do this is with an air filtration device. Make sure that the tool that you use has carbon-activated filters, not HEPA filters. Carbon filters are the best option available for neutralizing smoke odors and gasses.
Clean Areas Impacted By The Fire
As soon as you start running your air filter, you should begin cleaning the areas that were impacted by the fire. You’ll first want to focus on the area where the actual fire took place. However, you’ll eventually need to clean any areas where the smoke may have gone.
You shouldn’t use water when cleaning. This will only trap odors into the fabric. It will also smear soot into your material, likely causing permanent stains. Instead, start by removing any dust or debris from the surfaces. Then, use a dry-chem sponge to clean any fabrics. Manufacturers design these sponges specifically to absorb smoke odors and soot.
Deodorize The Impacted Area
Once you’ve removed the soot from the impacted areas, you’ll need to deodorize the fabric. Manufacturers produce deodorizers intended specifically for smoke-impacted areas. These deodorizers are formulated specially to get deep within the pores of a surface, counteracting the harmful smoke odors.
You’ll likely need to mix the deodorizer with water in a bottle and spray it onto your fabrics. You may need to apply more than one coat to remove the smoke odors thoroughly. You’ll also probably need to spray the deodorizer on the walls and carpets as well to ensure that you remove the smoke odors from your home entirely.
