In this guide, you’ll find practical pointers on preparing for a cleanup after a house fire and handling common fire damage. We will also discuss options for managing the restoration.
Read on to learn more.
How to Prepare for the After-Fire Cleanup
Don’t start cleaning until the fire department or other local authority says it’s okay to go inside. While you wait for clearance, get your gear and supplies together.
For safety, you’ll need heavy duty gloves, sturdy boots or shoes, goggles, and clothes that cover your arms and legs. Have an N-95 mask to keep from inhaling airborne ash after the fire.
Get extra-strong trash bags, a HEPA vacuum, and cleaning cloths. Plus, you’ll need plastic sheeting to contain ash in the cleanup area and protect unaffected furniture and floors.
Also, grab cleaning solutions for soot and smoke, like mild detergent, degreasers, or commercial cleaners.
Before you step inside to start cleaning, quickly check for structural damage, exposed wiring, unstable debris, or gas leaks.
How to Clean Up Soot off Walls After Fire Damage
Knowing how to remove soot after a fire ensures you can safely and thoroughly restore walls, plus ceilings and floors.
Start by ventilating the area and putting on a filtration mask, goggles, and gloves. Your next step when cleaning walls is to spread drop cloths to catch falling soot.
Gently vacuum downward with a brush attachment to prevent smearing, then wipe with a dry chemical sponge.
Lightly dab tough stains with soapy water or soot remover (avoid soaking). Blot dry with a clean cloth. The same method for cleaning walls after a fire applies to ceilings, too.
To clean soot from floors, vacuum thoroughly. Mop tile and vinyl with a mild cleaner. Use only a little water and a wood-safe cleaner on hardwood and towel dry immediately.
For carpeting, the process involves hovering the vacuum nozzle to lift soot versus pressing it in, sprinkling absorbent powder and vacuuming again. Spot or deep clean if needed.
Cleaning Furniture After a Fire
Furniture is often one of the things that can be salvaged after a fire, especially if the damage is limited to surface soot or smoke odor.
Even upholstered pieces can make a comeback if damage is minimal and covers are washable. Laundering them can eliminate odor and residue.
DIY upholstery cleaners or professional cleaning may revive non-washable pieces.
As for other furniture, the key to how to clean these items after a house fire is knowing the right approach for the material.
- Wood and metal furniture: Vacuum or wipe away soot. Afterward, lightly clean the surface with a mild soap solution. Hand-dry furniture, then let it fully air-dry in a well-ventilated area to prevent warping or rust.
- Leather pieces: Vacuum first. Next, use a cleaner specifically made for leather, and once the piece is dry, apply a conditioner to keep it soft and prevent cracking.
Cleaning Electronics After a Fire
It’s natural to count TVs, laptops, and electronic appliances among the things to throw away after smoke damage. In some cases, that’s the right call.
However, some items might be salvageable with proper cleaning and caution.
The crucial first step is to ensure the device is unplugged and remains off until it’s inspected and, if necessary, professionally cleaned.
Permanent damage can occur if residual soot and moisture short-circuit internal components.
For items like laptops, TVs, or similar devices with only light soot and smudges, dust them off with a dry, microfiber cloth or compressed air.
Consider damp cleaning only if the manufacturer’s instructions say it’s safe.
Wipe exteriors of appliances like washers, dryers, microwaves, and coffee makers with warm, soapy water, and sanitize food or water-contact areas, if applicable.
Removable parts can be washed separately and dried. If you suspect internal soot contamination, let a professional clean it out.
Who Cleans Up After a House Fire?
As a homeowner, you don’t have to struggle with how to clean a house after fire damage. There are two ways to get the cleanup done if you can’t or prefer not to do it, which we explore below.
#1 Fire Damage Restoration Companies
One option for cleanup after a house fire is to bring in a fire damage restoration company.
These trained specialists manage the ins and outs of getting your home back to normal, from cleanup to rebuilding after a fire.
Think of them as go-to experts in what to do after a fire at your home. Here’s what they typically do:
- Assess how much damage the house has suffered.
- Remove items that can’t be restored and structural debris.
- Deal with water damage after a fire.
- Clean and restore recoverable belongings.
- Get rid of lingering smoke odors.
Homeowner’s insurance often covers these costs.
#2 Companies That Buy Fire-Damaged Houses
When fire damage is extensive, selling the house can be the most practical course of action.
Fortunately, you have the option to sell to a cash buyer willing to take on the responsibility of cleaning and restoration at their expense post-purchase.
Choosing to sell directly to one of these fire-damaged home buyers offers a range of benefits:
- An as-is sale lets you hand over the property to the buyer in its present condition, damage and all.
- The deal closes quickly and is simpler than a traditional transaction.
- Since the buyer pays cash, there’s no loan approval wait, and it’s easier to sell a fire-damaged house that lenders might reject.
- You can skip inspections and appraisals, which makes the sale move faster.
- It’s common for cash buyers to pay closing costs. That frees you from the necessity to bring your cash to closing in states where closing costs aren’t paid with the proceeds from the sale.
- No real estate agent is involved. So, there’s no commission to pay.
For a quick, hassle-free sale, get cash offers from local house-buying companies vetted by our website. Compare them carefully to make the best choice.
To explore more options for selling and associated tips, consult our guide on how to sell a fire-damaged house.
To get a clearer picture of the financial obligations for remedying the damage, read up on the cost to repair a fire-damaged house.
Our article on how long it takes to rebuild a house after a fire provides insights into the time demands.
