How to Clean Smoke Damaged Wood

A fire is a very stressful event that can happen at your property at any time. Flames from a fire can leave devastating damage to your home or business, including damage from the spread of smoke and soot. It is very important to clean your property right away so that smoke and soot do not continue to spread and cause additional damage.

Smoke and soot are corrosive byproducts that are left over after a fire is out. These materials will continue to spread and settle on various surfaces and objects, and they can be especially damaging to porous materials like wood.  You should take special care in cleaning wood surfaces and objects that have been affected by smoke and soot.

Wood can experience significant damage from smoke and soot. However, it is possible to restore it with proper cleaning.

Make sure to take the following steps to restore smoke-damaged wood and avoid further damage:

• Evaluate the scope of the damage:

Before you start cleaning, you should visually inspect the wood for charring, discoloration, and cracks. The type of damage will determine the best approach. Also, make sure to check for discoloration, cracks, or signs of charring.

• Check the stability and safety of the wood:

Make sure that the wood is strong enough to handle the cleaning process. Touch the surface and then press on it so you can see if it is wobbly or sturdy. If it seems weak, make sure to call the professionals to help you.

• Decide on the proper cleaning and restoration process:

Depending on the type of damage and the type of wood, you will need to take the proper approach. If the surface is delicate, then you will need to take extra caution. Make sure to consult an expert to find the best way to restore the wood on your specific product.  

• Cleaning and Safety Products Needed

You should take every safety precaution when cleaning fire-damaged wood. Using personal protective equipment (PPE) will keep dangerous particles and chemicals away from your skin, eyes, and lungs.

Safety gear needed:

1. Gloves: Heavy-duty, non-latex to keep your hands clean from soot and chemicals.
2. Mask: Face mask or respirator so you do not inhale any dangerous chemicals.
3. Goggles: This will help keep your eyes safe.
4. Long-sleeved clothing: Cover up your arms and legs with clothing to keep you safe.

• Ventilate the Area Properly While You Clean

Ventilation is very important when cleaning wood that has been damaged by a fire. Always make sure to open the windows so that air can come through the space. This will help reduce the risk of inhaling harmful chemicals. However, be safe when airing out the space so you don’t spread the soot around.

How to Remove Soot and Loose Debris

Soot and lose debris can be removed in two ways:

• Dry cleaning method:

This method is done by vacuuming, brushing, and then wiping the affected wood. This helps avoid spreading the soot further. You should always use the brush attachment to remove soot from the wood first, then use a brush, and finally use a cloth to fully remove any leftover debris. You should always do the dry-cleaning method very gently, so it does not further damage the wood.

• Wet cleaning method:

This method includes removing leftover soot with a sponge or a cloth dipped in warm soapy water and then wrung out. Make sure to use gentle strokes to wipe the wood and then rinse and dry it.

Other things to know about cleaning wood objects after a fire

• Use specialized cleaning products for soot removal if needed:

It may be necessary to use specialized cleaning products if there are stubborn stains or heavy soot. You should only use specialized wood cleaners so that they do not damage the wood. It is always best to test on a small area first before applying it to the whole area.

• Always make sure to clean and treat surface stains:

It is important to choose the proper cleaning solution when cleaning wood after a fire. This is a crucial step to ensure that any stains are removed from the wood surface. You can use a homemade cleaner of vinegar and water or a commercial product that is meant for cleaning fire-damaged wood. To decide on the best cleaner, it is best to see how badly the wood has been damaged. Also, it may be best to use a combination of homemade and commercial solutions.

• Sanding and refinishing damaged wood:

Sanding may be an option if the stain is just a surface stain. This will help bring out the original beauty the wood had before the fire damage. If you are unsure if you should be sanding the wood, you should always consult a professional.

• Refinishing the wood:

There are three options when it comes to refinishing the wood including staining, painting, and sealing. What you choose to do will depend on the type of look you are going for. Always, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and let the wood dry before using the wood surface.

• Replacing the wood:

If the damage to the wood surface is too severe, you will need to clean and refinish it, or you may have to fully replace it if neither of those options works. If you are unsure, make sure to consult a professional.

• Major repairs should be done by a professional:

If the damage to the wood is too severe, it may be time to call in  fire damage restoration professionals. You should consult a friend, or a neighbor to recommend someone. You can also check online and request a quote from multiple contractors to make sure that you are getting a fair price.

Tips to prevent fire damage at your home or business:

It is always better to prevent fire damage at your home or business than to have to clean it after a fire.

Here are some ways you can prevent fire damage:

• Regularly check wood surfaces to make sure they are in good shape. Look for signs of wear or possible fire hazards.
• Invest in fire-resistant coatings and treatments: Fire-resistant coatings and treatments are helpful in slowing down the spread of fires and minimizing damage.
• Have smoke alarms installed on every level of your home and test them monthly.
• Create a fire escape plan and review it with your family.
• Have fire extinguishers available and know how to use them.
• Electrical outlets shouldn’t be overloaded, and space heaters should be used with caution.
• Any flammable materials should always be stored away from the heat source.

If your home or business has been affected by a fire, you should call a fire damage restoration professional right away. This will help prevent further damage to your property from smoke and soot that will spread further after the fire. Highly trained technicians will clean, disinfect, and restore your property after a fire and rebuild major structural damage.