Apparel/Fabrics
Send clothes to a dry cleaner who offers deodorizing service such as “ozone.”
Launder, keep load small so fabrics have room to move easily. Use a liquid laundry detergent, or a detergent formulated to remove odors. Repeat the washing 3 – 5 times. Do not dry between launderings or air-dry, only if fabric must be dried. Do not use a fabric softener until smoke damage/odor is removed.
CAUTIONS:
- Always read the care label before trying any stain removal method. Do not use any products or procedures prohibited by the care label.
- Be careful any time a commercial product or combination of cleaning supplies are used.
- Always pretest each cleaning agent on an inconspicuous area first to determine colorfastness.
- Be sure to store and dispose of products/cans/containers as recommended. Keep out of reach of children.
Porches, Decks, Patios
Asphalt, Brick, Concrete, Cement, Masonry, Stone
- If stain is small, erase as much smoke/soot as possible with an art-gum eraser.
- Mix 1/2 cup powdered all-purpose cleaner (such as Spic-n-Span) in 1 gallon of water and rub the stain with a sponge dipped in the solution. Rinse well to remove all chemicals and allow to dry.
Wood (Stained)
Wipe the stained surface with a cloth dampened with a solution of mild sudsy water. Rinse well with clear water and wipe dry immediately. Water will damage most finishes if allowed to stand on wood.
- CAUTIONS:
- Be careful any time a commercial product or combination of cleaning supplies are used.
- Be sure to store and dispose of products/cans/containers as recommended. Keep out of reach of children.
Wood (Painted)
- Mix 1 tablespoon of Washing (sal) Soda, Trisodium Phosphate (TSP), or ammonia in 1 gallon of warm water. Apply to the painted surface using a sponge. Rinse well with a sponge dipped in clear water.
- If this solution does not remove the sooty soil, make a solution using 2 tablespoons of Washing (sal) Soda, Trisodium Phosphate (TSP), or ammonia and water. Try to avoid using more than the 2 tablespoons of TSP per gallon of water. Too much TSP will dull the surface of the paint or actually remove paint.
NOTE: Trisodium Phosphate is sold in paint stores or hardware stores.
CAUTIONS:
- Wear rubber gloves and avoid spilling on other surfaces in the room. Wipe up promptly if spills occur.
- Be careful any time a commercial product or combination of cleaning supplies are used.
- Be sure to store and dispose of products/cans/containers as recommended. Keep out of reach of chiIdren.
Siding/walls
Wood (Painted)
- Mix 1 tablespoon of Washing (sal) Soda, Trisodium Phosphate (TSP), or ammonia in 1 gallon of warm water. Apply to the painted surface using a sponge. Rinse well with a sponge dipped in clear water.
- If this solution does not remove the sooty soil, make a solution using 2 tablespoons of Washing (sal) Soda, Trisodium Phosphate or ammonia. Try to avoid using more than 2 tablespoons of TSP per gallon of water. Wipe up spills promptly.
NOTE: Trisodium Phosphate is sold in paint or hardware stores. If you are cleaning an entire wall, work from the foundation up. Change washing and rinse waters often.
CAUTIONS:
- Too much TSP will dull the surface of paint, or actually remove the paint.
- Be careful any time a commercial product or combination of cleaning supplies are used.
- Be sure to store and dispose of products/cans/containers as recommended. Keep out of reach of children.