My house had a small fire. The dryer caught on fire, and the pantry it was in had a little fire damage. The kitchen and bathroom have smoke, water, and black soot and a heavy black dust on them. What should I do? Should I gut the walls or can I scrub them clean and then prime and paint?
Get a gallon of Krud Kutter at Lowe's for about $11. Follow the directions [I had 2 large buckets - one with partially diluted Krud Kutter, the other clean water, and I used old face cloths to wash wall covered in soot] Start at the bottom of the wall and wash section of wall with soapy mix, wait 2-3 minutes, then rinse with clean water. Do not let any of the soapy mix fall on your wood floor, as it will remove the finish!
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Request: Cleaning Walls and Hard Surfaces After A Fire
Archived on 11/06/2009
Does anyone have an idea for cleaning grease fire residue off of painted walls?
Laurie from Kaukauna, WI
Feedback:
RE: Cleaning Walls and Hard Surfaces After A Fire
My friend used TSP cleaner. She got it at a hardware store, and it comes in a box. We scrubbed the walls with it. She was a 4 pack a day smoker who did not open windows, and the walls were yellowed with tar and sticky. This stuff worked! Good luck. (11/30/2006)
I use "greased lightning" that you can purchase from your local dollar store or Walmart. I am a smoker and my small bathroom gets a build up of smoke and nicotine that needs cleaning twice a year. This product works well for me with no scrubbing needed. (12/02/2006)
By jcdeen3
RE: Cleaning Walls and Hard Surfaces After A Fire
We helped clean the walls of a smoke fire. The firemen told the people to use alcohol, as that's what they use to clean
walls, windows, etc. I believe you use full strength.
Other: Article: Cleaning Walls and Hard Surfaces After A Fire
Archived on 11/30/2006
Professionals use a heavy-duty suction machine to remove tough soil from walls and ceilings. A homeowner may use a vacuum wall brush attachment, emptying or changing the bag often. You may need to clean the wall brush in suds, rinsing and drying thoroughly before using again on clean surfaces; or buy a new brush.
Next treat clinging soot by applying the type of absorbent putty used to clean wallpaper. Then washable surfaces should be washed with suds. If repainting is needed this preliminary cleaning is vital because paint or varnish will not adhere to soil. Use moderately-strong alkali solution such as 2 tablespoons to a gallon of water of washing soda, trisodium phosphate or ammonia, for soil-based soot if soot does not come off readily with regular suds. May need to apply a sealer compound such as "BIN" before repainting (see "REMOVING SMOKE ODORS AFTER A FIRE" under ODOR.
Wash windows, mirrors and lighting fixtures with lukewarm suds, adding a little ammonia to both the suds and rinse water.
If woodwork is refinished with paint or enamel, pretreat and suds the same as walls.
Heat causes most plastics to melt and fuse. If there is no heat damage, smoke and water have little or no serious effect and plastics can be washed with suds.
Wash porcelain enamel with hot suds. A special cleaner of the type used for automobiles may be needed to remove heavy smoke discoloration.
MSU Extension About The Author: This article was written by Anne Field, Extension Specialist, Emeritus, with references from Arkansas Extension bulletin How to Clean House After a Fire.
