Smoke Damage Removal from Your Kitchen

2/4/2020 (Permalink)

Have you recently had a kitchen fire where smoke damage left stains and a bad smell? Smoke damage is hard to remove but it is not impossible. Soot stains can stick anywhere from your counter to your walls or even to your ceiling. So what do you do when everything is covered in soot and smells smoky? The wrong techniques can spread soot throughout the rest of your house and make stains permanent. Even worse, soot is detrimental to your health, so it is important to wear protective clothing while handling it such as gloves and goggles.

The first step you should take in fixing smoke damage is creating good air circulation in your kitchen by turning on the fans, along with opening doors and windows. But be sure not to run the AC because it will circulate the contaminated air throughout the rest of your home. However, if the damage is severe then call a professional to properly remove the soot.

Next, assess the damage. Can the surfaces be cleaned? Surfaces with a satin or semi-gloss paint cover can usually be cleaned, washed, and restored easily. Walls with flat paint may be more difficult to clean completely, and you may have to clean as much as possible and then repaint or replace the wallpaper. Once you have followed these steps, follow the tips below to clean smoke damage and removing smoke odor from your kitchen.

Cleaning Smoke Damage:

• Clear the area that needs to be cleaned, move items so that the affected area is more accessible. Any food exposed to soot should be thrown away, exercise caution by throwing away food if you have any doubt. Clean and wipe down other items that were affected by soot.
• Create a solution of one gallon water and one tablespoon of trisodium phosphate (TSP). TSP is a harsh but effective chemical because it works well on sticky soot residue. Since it is an irritant, wear protective clothing such as rubber gloves and avoid getting it on your skin. Less harsh alternatives to TSP exist, such as degreaser products and dry soot sponges.
• Use a sponge soaked with the solution to clean the affected areas. Try not to get too much water on non-water-resistant walls, as this can cause water damage to the home’s drywall or become a source of mold.
• Wipe down every surface in your kitchen to ensure that all of the soot is removed. Make sure to also wipe down the insides of cabinets, pantries, and even drawers.

Removing Smoke Odor:

• Even after the stains are removed, you may still find a lingering smoke odor in your kitchen that makes it hard to breathe.
• Remove the unpleasant smell by wiping down and disinfecting every surface with an orange-scented cleaner. Odor can attach to virtually every surface, so be sure to wipe down areas from walls to cabinets to windows.
• You can also leave bowls of vinegar out to absorb the smell. If there are areas with persistent smoke smell, create a water-vinegar solution to remove it.
• For carpets and other fabrics, sprinkle baking soda then let it sit for several hours before vacuuming.

These tips are suitable for jobs that you can attempt on your own but do not hesitate to call the professionals if the damage is severe. Here at SERVPRO of North Nashville, we are experts when it comes to fire and smoke damage restoration and can help you with everything from odor control to fabric cleaning! Your kitchen can be as good as new with our help!