Are you tearing your hair out to find out how to clean wood furniture after a fire or smoke damage without affecting their beauty? Let’s read on to find out!
Have you ever ripped your hair out to look for a way to clean wood furniture after a fire or smoke damage?
Wood furniture is especially vulnerable to fire damage because they are flammable and porous. If you were in that case, this post is what you need.
We are sure you’ll be satisfied with the results.
How To Clean Wood Furniture After A Fire and Smoke Damage
You should first category the wood furniture inside your house into two types, including finished wood and unfinished wood.
Each type will have its ways to clean when it comes to fire damage.
Finished wood furniture
Finished wood furniture – with a layer of varnish or paint thinner covering above, such as desks, dressers, tables, or cabinets.
With the following steps, you’ll have a clear insight on how to clean them after a fire.
Step 1: Removing the soot
Before you start, brushing the entire wood surface with a dry, soft-bristled brush is a must because you won’t have to worry about damaging your furniture.
Step 2: Applying Murphy Oil Soap/Wood Cleaner and cotton rags
Then, rub the surface with cotton washcloths or Murphy’s oil soap.
Remember to rub the wooden surface in circles rather than in up-and-down motion. Be careful not to scrub too hard.
Step 3: Using 0000-grade steel wool
You have to keep in mind that if you decide to apply 0000-grade steel wool, always follow wood’s grain as you clean the surface.
Step 4: Polishing after cleaning may be essential
Finish by polishing the surface with a dry cloth.
Unfinished Wood Furniture
Unfinished wood furniture has no protective sealer or varnish and is much more vulnerable to smoke or soot damage – it absorbs a lot of soot and smoke odor, making the unfinished surfaces very difficult to clean..
Here is what you need!
Step 1: Unsmoked 9-D-9 or and Surface Spray and FreshWave IAQ Air
Before starting, make sure that you take away all heavily charred areas if possible.
Use either Unsmoked 9-D-9 or Surface Spray and FreshWave IAQ Air to wash away all places for the initial odor destroyer .
Step 2: HEPA vacuum
A vacuum with a HEPA filter is convenient for sucking up soot. The vacuum should be held at least half an inch away from the surface to remove loose particles.
Step 3: Using a dry cleaning sponge
After brushing any loose soot off the wood furniture, you need to sting in the grain’s direction applying a dry chemical sponge. It’d better you clear warm water to rinsed surfaces and dry thoroughly.
Step 4: Using a degreaser
Then you use a degreaser applied to unfinished wood furniture by using a pump-up sprayer.
Step 5: Thermal fog the surrounding
Choose the scents of thermal fog that are suitable for your furniture.
- Neutral or Cherry – wood or paper burnt.
- Kentucky BlueGrass – plastics or synthetics burnt.
- Citrus – meat, poultry, fish, organics, etc. has burnt, or vehicle, and structural tobacco smoke.
Step 6: Applying an ozone or hydroxyl generator
If any odor remains persistent , use either an ozone or hydroxyl-engined power in the affected area.
How To Clean Wood Furniture With Smoke Damage
Smoke damage usually occurs largely; let’s determine and measure the damaged area before deciding to restore and clean.
Smoke damage includes toxic, odor-causing gasses, microscopic particles that can be found in the air. Smoke does more than stain and smell.
Step 1: Using a tack cloth to clean off any dust
Wipe the affected areas with the damp cloth or rag, then dry with a soft, dry cloth.
Step 2: Applying a cream furniture
Apply a cream furniture restoration and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
Step 3: Using 0000-steel wool
Adopt 0000-steel wool to work the cream polish into the wood. Make sure you follow the grain of the wood to ensure that the surface isn’t damaged.
Step 4: Finishing by polishing the surface with a dry cloth
Dab lemon oil beeswax into the wood furniture to help neutralize the smoke odor.
What To Remember?
- Ensure that you test all tools and fix objects first to ensure they don’t damage your furniture
- Wear protective clothing, including work gloves and heavy-soled shoes during the working.
- Once finished, dry your furniture indoors. Never dry wood furniture out in the sun as this might cause it to warp.
Some Last Words
Finally, did you know what to do when having fire and smoke damage? Cleaning smoke and soot from your furniture could be a difficult task.
But don’t feel overwhelmed! Just take it easy and search for ways to restore these damages!
We hope you have obtained enough information on the topic “how to clean wood furniture after a fire and smoke damage.” Have effective cleanup!
