Cleaning Furniture After a Fire

When a fire ravages a home, it leaves more than just physical damage. Smoke and soot can discolor and ruin furniture, leaving them looking dingy and aged. In some cases, it also leaves a smoke odor that may seem difficult to remove.

In this article, we will share with you our tips on cleaning furniture after a fire, so you can restore them to their former glory.

Can You Save Your Furniture After a Fire?

You may feel like giving up after your house has burned down, but don’t lose hope. Don’t think that everything is gone, either; chances are there are still some things that were spared by the fire. It may be some appliances, clothes in your closet, or old books stored under your bed, or even whole furniture. Look for salvageable items among the debris, especially those with minor damage as well as those that have sentimental value, and prepare them for restoration and refurbishing.

General Tips for Cleaning Furniture After a Fire

If your home has been damaged by fire, it’s important to have your furniture cleaned as soon as possible to prevent soot and smoke from causing further damage. Here are some general tips to keep in mind when cleaning furniture after a fire:

• Extinguish the fire first, of course! Once the fire is out, you can begin assessing the damage.
• Work outside if possible, to avoid spreading soot and smoke throughout your home.
• Start with cleanable items such as upholstered furniture and drapes. These can be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or a soft brush.
• For wooden furniture, use a mild detergent and clean water to remove soot. You may need to sand and refinish the piece to restore their original beauty.
• Don’t forget about non-porous items like electronics and metal! These can be cleaned with a damp cloth.

With a little elbow grease, you can clean fire and smoke-damaged furniture and return them to their original condition.

Cleaning Smoke-Damaged Furnitures

You can use a solvent to clean furniture that only has smoke damage. Before making use of any solvent however, make sure to read the label carefully and follow the instructions.

Clean small sections at a given time by applying the solvent onto the surface of a cloth, and then rub it thoroughly. For the majority of finishes on damaged furniture, denatured alcohol or paint thinner is a great option to remove smoke stains.

After removing the stains, wipe the surface of the furniture with a damp cloth, then dry it with a fresh cloth. Be sure that the furniture is completely dry before polishing it with a recommended polishing substance, and dispose of alcohol-soaked cloths inside a tightly sealed metal container.

Fire-damaged furniture are cleaned the same way as smoke-damaged ones, with the only difference being that you have to get rid of the burn stains first. If the surface is scorched, use sandpaper to smooth the affected area.

If you do not want to risk damaging your furniture further by cleaning them yourself, It is recommended that you let an expert handle the job instead.

Cleaning Fire-Damaged Upholstery

Many homeowners think that their furniture is completely ruined if it has been damaged by fire, but that is not always the case. With some basic cleaning and repair, many pieces of furniture can be saved.

The first step is to inspect the damage. If the piece is structurally sound, then it is likely that it can be cleaned. Don a pair of gloves, a face mask, and protective eyewear, and remove any soot or debris from the surface.

Once the furniture is clean, you can begin repair work. Depending on the severity of the damage, this may involve sanding, re-staining, or even re-upholstering.

Call the Experts in Cleaning Fire-Damaged Furniture

Sometimes, home and business owners can only do so much cleaning furniture after a fire. When our professional cleanup crew visits your property to do their job, you can trust that their services will help you rebuild, recover, and refurbish the furniture you think have forever been lost to the fire. Check out our fire damage restoration photo gallery.

If you need help with recovering your fire-damaged property, don’t hesitate to call our restoration specialists.