Tips to Repair Smoke Damage in Furniture
Unfortunately, the effects of a house fire can linger for a while. The smell of smoke seems to ooze out of every fiber in your sofa, and even your grandmother’s beautiful cherry dining room table smells like a chimney. Will this aromatic reminder of your fire ever go away? Or will you be forced to get rid of all the furniture treasures you love?
The good news is it’s probably not time to head to a big-box furniture outlet or kick your furnishings to the curb. Even if they have been damaged by smoke, items such as couches, beds, coffee tables and more can usually be repaired. Plus, they won’t have a stinky smell or a black sooty covering.
Below are some of our favorite tips to clean smoke damage in furniture.
- Clean Finished Wood Furniture With a Deep Cleaner
We’re not talking about scrubbing the finish off the furniture but rather looking for a product safe for finished woods that will get the wood clean. Be sure to take your furniture apart if you can. Then you can be sure you are cleaning every crevice. Soot will vanish, and the varnish will stay.
- Finish Unfinished Wood Furniture
You may have some unfinished wood furniture or areas of unfinished wood in your finished wood furniture. These can include the inside of cabinets and drawers. Because the wood has no varnish or protection, it is likely to hold onto soot, grime and smells. If you want to keep the furniture, the best thing to do is remove as much as you can with a gentle cleaner, and then seal it when it’s completely dry. This will lock in any odors.
- Pull the Top Layer of Soot Off Textiles Carefully
Did your loveseat become a soot-covered landscape? Resist the urge to use vacuum attachments on the fabric. Soot contains oils, which means a brush can quickly rub it into the fabric, permanently staining your belongings. Although you will need the help of a professional textile restoration team, you can move the process along by using your vacuum nozzle only. Turn the vacuum on and hold the nozzle about an inch from the soot. The vacuum action will suck away the top layer of soot.
- Consider Dry Cleaning
Dry cleaners have equipment to remove not only the smell of smoke but also the greasy residue left behind after a fire. If you try to put these items such as your pillows, cushions, draperies and more in your washing machine, you may be disappointed with the outcome. Regular washing machine detergents are typically not powerful enough to thoroughly clean heavier fabrics.
- Change Your Furnace Filter During the Cleaning Process
While this doesn’t directly remove any smoke damage from your furniture, it will keep your ducts from constantly reapplying new layers of soot to your furnishings. If you aren’t sure how to change your furnace filter, it’s time to learn. When your furnace filter stops looking and smelling like it’s been doused with smoke, you can return to your normal furnace filter exchange process.
A fire is always a stressful situation. Many times, homeowners are shocked when they realize that their furniture is more damaged by smoke than by flames. With a little knowledge, and the assistance of professional fire damage restoration experts, you can get your family back to normal daily life. When you need a little extra assistance in repairing and de-stinking your furniture from smoke damage, contact ServiceMaster of Lincoln Park.
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