A Grease fire in this Fullerton kitchen damaged the range, back wall, wall cabinets, and the walls. The layer of soot was wipeable from the vinyl wallpaper and wood finished cabinets. The primary concern was removing the smoke odors from the house. An air scrubber, hydroxyl generator, and a final light fogging mitigated these smells and restored the home. Count on SERVPRO for a fast response with great results.

A fire damaged the kitchen of this restaurant in Fullerton. A layer of soot was left on all the appliances and counter tops. If your restoration company can't handle this, they aren't in the major league.

Use the dry-cleaning sponge (chemical sponge) to wipe the soot and smoke stains. This stage is essential, as these sponges use special chemicals to lift stains from walls. Never use soot cleaner or water before you use a dry-cleaning sponge, or you could spread the soot and make it impossible to remove with a chemical sponge. Begin wiping the walls gently with the dry-cleaning sponge. After a few strokes, turn the sponge to a different side so you’re always using a clean surface. When all sides are soiled, slice off the sides with a knife to reveal fresh surfaces beneath. Or simply grab a new sponge. Make sure you use a wiping motion the entire time. If you scrub the stains, you may spread them and work the soot deeper into the surface.

Protect

Before you clean the house, you should wear proper protection. Soot, smoke and debris can be dangerous to inhale, so wear a respirator if there is significant soot in the damaged area. Wear long pants and sleeves to protect your skin. You should also wear gloves and eye protection. Since you will be freeing soot as you clean, it’s important to lay down floor protection and remove any furniture or household objects that are not damaged. If the damaged area is small, you can probably get away with simply covering furniture with plastic or sheets. But if you’re cleaning an entire room, it’s wise to remove those clean items and even seal off other rooms that are undamaged. Be mindful of the shoes you’re wearing so you don’t track soot stains into other rooms.

Ventilate

First and foremost, open those windows. If it’s cold outside, put on a jacket! Sorry, but the first thing you need to do is ventilate the house and get fresh air flowing. Open all doors and windows in the home. You can also use fans (the bigger the better) to encourage airflow. Turn off your HVAC system to prevent spreading of the smoke and soot.

Fire damage in living room with smoke damage on the walls 

Professional Fire Damage Restoration

Cleaning your home after smoke or soot damage can be a difficult job. If you’re cleaning a small room or the damage isn’t significant, we encourage you to try it yourself with the techniques we’ve shared. If you’re not up for the task, SERVPRO of E.Fullerton/Placentia can help. With IICRC-certified techniques and state-of-the-art equipment, our trustworthy experts are the best in the fire damage restoration industry.