Soot from fire can stain your clothes and cause damage to your home. Regular washing won’t remove soot stains. Drying clothes after removing the stain could cause permanent damage. This guide will show you how to remove soot from clothes after a fire. We also cover dry clean and curtains. This should be done after you’ve received fire damage restoration services for your home. A great company to contact for fire damage restoration is 911 Restoration of Mesa, you can contact them here.
How to get the soot out of clothes
These are the five steps to take after a fire.
- Get out your clothes and wash them. This will get rid of any soot, make it easier to clean, and also makes it easier to dry. You can also lightly brush the stain with your hands or a cloth. Be gentle, as it can cause the stain to set if you brush too hard.
- Baking soda can soak up oily stains. Spread a layer of baking soda on top and let it sit for half an hours before shaking it off. You can substitute salt for baking soda if you are out of it.
- Pre-Treat the stain – Use a little bit of stain remover to lightly dab the area with a damp cloth. Use stain removers that are meant to be used with grease or oil for best results. Liquid dish soap is also available.
- Wash your Clothes. Separate your clothes. Use the warmest setting that your fabric allows and use a regular amount of laundry detergent. Do not overload your washer with clothes. Continue repeating steps 3 and 4 until the stain disappears completely.
- Dry on Low – Once the stain has gone, dry your clothes on low. Hang the clothes outside to dry if there are any smokey odors. They will smell fresh and clean after being exposed to the sun and air.
How to Remove Fire Soot from Clothing Dry Clean Only
It is not a good idea to try to remove soot from clothes that have been dry cleaned only. Instead, bring them to a dry cleaning service that specializes in clothing damaged by fire. You risk permanently damaging your clothes.
You may have to send your clothes outside if you cannot find a dry cleaner that specializes in cleaning your clothes. Ask your dry cleaners for recommendations. A specialty cleaner can be found on the internet.
How to get soot out of fabric and other items
The same steps can be used to remove soot from fabric, such as curtains or bedding. Begin by shaking out the stains and then cleaning them with baking soda and a stain removal product. To remove the soot, rinse the fabric with water and then soak it in vinegar and baking soda. You can also soak them in oxygen-based chlorine bleach. After the stain is gone, you can wash them and dry them normally.
Fire restoration for whole-house
Are you experiencing smoke and soot damage from a fire? (602) 899-6888 to receive a quote for Mesa fire damage restoration services.
