How To Clean and Get Smoke Damage Out Of Clothes After a House Fire

How To Get Smoke Damage Out Of Clothes After a House Fire

In the aftermath of a fire, it’s important to take immediate action to save your home and its contents. This is especially important when it comes to sensitive items such as clothes, draperies, and other textiles.

Replacing them may cost a lot of money, so it’s best to try to save textiles that haven’t been scorched or severely water-damaged. To properly restore smoke/soot-damaged clothing and fabrics, hiring a professional restoration company is the safest option. They use the proper cleaning solutions, equipment, and techniques to restore contents after a fire.

However, if you don’t plan on hiring a professional restorer, see the tips below to restore smoke-damaged clothing and fabrics. Be warned: don’t try to clean smoke-damaged textiles unless you know proper procedures, or you may cause further damage.

Minimize the Damage

• Dry the textiles at once to prevent mold growth.
• Hang clothes and fabrics outside to dry.
• Use fans and dehumidifiers, and open windows for ventilation.
• Change the furnace filter daily until the unit absorbs most of the soot from the air.
• Cover clean fabrics with plastic sheets to protect them.

Sort Out the Fabrics

• Separate salvageable from scorched items. Non-burnt fabrics can usually be saved.
• Organize the restorable items based on their fabric types and washing instructions, such as “bleach-safe” and “dry clean only”.
• Remove any damaged accessories from clothing.

Remove the Soot from Fabrics

• Remove the soot from textiles before cleaning.
• Take the items outside and shake the soot off gently. As soot is oily, it can easily stain fabrics if you don’t shake it off lightly.
• Alternatively, use a high-powered vacuum cleaner with a narrow tip. Please keep it one or two inches away from the fabric.
• Never use a brush tip attachment – it can force soot particles deeper into the clothing.
• It’s strongly recommended to get professional help for soot removal from textiles. One wrong move, and you could stain your fabrics permanently.

How To Get Smoke Smell Out Of Clothes

You should deodorize fabrics before they are cleaned, or the smoke odor could persist in the material. We do not recommend a DIY deodorization as using perfumes, aerosol sprays, or disinfectants only masks the odor temporarily. For proper deodorization, ozone treatment is needed. Professional fire restoration technicians use this deodorizing process, which eliminates odor by breaking up each smoke molecule.

How to Wash Smoke-Damaged Clothes

Once your clothes and textiles are deodorized, you can clean them. Send dry clean only clothes to a dry cleaner that’s certified in handling smoke-damaged clothing. Wash polyester or cotton fabrics in warm water without bleach solutions. Wash bleach-safe fabrics in heavy detergent. Hand-wash your clothes for the first two to three washes to prevent soot oils from contaminating the next few loads of laundry. If odors persist, soak the items into a mixture of 4 to 6 tablespoons of trisodium phosphate, 1 cup of bleach, and 1 gallon of water. Let fabrics sit overnight, then remove, rinse, and hang them outside to dry.

Unless you have the time, tools, and the experience necessary to restore smoke-damaged clothing and fabrics, always go with a professional company. You will be saving yourself a lot of trouble and money by hiring a company that knows how to handle smoke-damaged clothes and other personal property. For professional fire damage and smoke damage restoration, contact us at (207) 531-1200.

FAQs

What are the first steps to take when cleaning smoke-damaged clothes?

Start by airing out the clothing to remove surface odors. Separate heavily soiled items from lightly affected ones and avoid washing them together.

Can regular detergent remove smoke damage from clothes?

Regular detergent may not be enough to remove the smoke smell or residue. You may need to use specialized products like odor-neutralizing detergents or a vinegar rinse.

Is it safe to wash smoke-damaged clothes in a regular washing machine?

Yes, but you should clean the washing machine afterward to avoid spreading the smoke odor to other loads. Use hot water and a cleaning cycle with vinegar or baking soda.

What types of fabrics are most vulnerable to smoke damage?

Delicate fabrics like silk and wool are more prone to absorbing smoke odors and may require professional cleaning.

How can I remove the smoke smell without washing the clothes?

You can use odor absorbers like baking soda, activated charcoal, or an ozone machine. Hanging clothes outdoors in fresh air can also help.

Are there professional services for cleaning smoke-damaged clothes?

Yes, many dry cleaners and restoration specialists offer services specifically designed to treat smoke-damaged clothing.

How do I know if the smoke damage is permanent?

If odors or stains persist after multiple attempts to clean the item, or if the fabric feels brittle or discolored, the damage may be irreversible.

Can I use DIY solutions like vinegar or baking soda to clean smoke-damaged clothes?

Yes, vinegar and baking soda are effective at neutralizing odors. Add a cup of vinegar to the wash cycle or sprinkle baking soda directly onto the fabric before washing.

Should I throw away heavily smoke-damaged clothing?

If clothing has been exposed to toxic chemicals or heavy soot, or if it is beyond repair, it may be best to discard it for health and safety reasons.

How long does it take to completely remove smoke damage from clothes?

The time can vary depending on the severity of the damage and the cleaning methods used. It might take several wash cycles or treatments to fully remove the smell and residue.