3 Tips for Dealing With Smoke-Damaged Items

11/4/2020 (Permalink)

Building damaged by fire in Waterloo, OK

Tips To Clean Correctly Your Contents After A Fire

Removing smoke damage, soot and odor from upholstery, carpets, curtains and other items in your business is a critical part of cleanup after a fire and may require a combination of dry-cleaning and wet-cleaning techniques. Follow these tips to make sure the contents of your business are cleaned correctly after a fire.

1. Handle Soot Removal With Care
All soot must be removed from smoke-damaged contents before they can be cleaned and deodorized. Soot is oily and stains easily, so steer clear of wet-cleaning methods. Avoid the temptation to use a brush or rag, as you risk rubbing the soot deeper into the fabric. A restoration professional will use a high-powered vacuum to remove as much soot as possible before cleaning begins.

2. Leave Content Cleaning to the Pros
Restoring smoke-damaged contents requires expert knowledge of the proper cleaning method(s) and may also require special equipment, making it nearly impossible to complete on your own. It’s best to hire a professional restoration company in Waterloo, OK, with content cleaning experience and access to the necessary equipment and facilities. A good restoration company should be capable of various dry-cleaning techniques, such as dry foam and ozone treatment, as well as a number of wet-cleaning methods. An ideal company will also have ultrasonic-cleaning equipment and immersion-cleaning capabilities.

3. Consider a Pack-out for Severe Damage
If the fire damage to your business requires lengthy repairs, a “pack-out” may be a good choice. This involves packing up your business contents and moving them to another location. Smoke-damaged items will be cleaned and deodorized off-site, and the clean contents will be inventoried and secured in a content storage facility, so that they aren’t damaged or re-soiled during the repairs.
A business fire can feel devastating, but many items can be fully restored with the right combination of wet-cleaning and dry-cleaning methods. Hiring a reliable restoration company is the safest way to eliminate evidence of smoke damage.