Guidelines for Fire and Smoke Damage Repair

If you have ever had to clean up and repair a building after a fire, then you know it is not an easy task to take on. Cleaning up after a fire is more about a person's health than anything else. The sooner you get the everything cleaned up and repaired, the less likely you are to have health problems due to leftover odor and residue.

Water and Residue Cleanup

In most cases, you used a fire extinguisher to try and put out the fire. The residue from the fire extinguisher is fairly easy to clean up. All you need to do is sweep up the left over residue that was left by the extinguisher. Most likely the fire extinguisher was not enough and the fire department had to hose down the area that was on fire. Be sure to wash clothing items and let wet rugs and furniture dry outside before you attempt to make restorations.

Cleaning Your Materials 

Wash or replace all of your clothes in the house. Even the clean clothes will need to be washed because it is going to be difficult to get rid of the fire smell. Items such as fabric furniture, carpet and rugs should all be steam cleaned. Be sure to use a disinfecting solution on your mattresses , drapes and rugs to fully get rid of the smell of smoke.

Cleaning Hard Surfaces

If you are able to salvage any of the hard surfaces, such as cabinets, counters and walls, you should scrub them with a mild soap solution followed by a vinegar spray. The soap is used to remove nay debris that may have become stuck to the surfaces, and the vinegar spray will help to remove any odors.