Cleaning after a fire

The worst event that anyone can face is a fire. Modern fire extinguishing methods are quite effective, and the fire in the premises will most often be eliminated quickly enough, but the apartment will still suffer and the owners will have to clean up after the fire.

It is easier to entrust the hard work to cleaning companies, as their specialists know very well how to wash settled soot, as well as remove the smell of burning from the apartment. At the disposal of specialists there are such chemicals that are not easy to get. Of course, it is much more difficult to wash all the consequences on your own, but due to the fact that after the fire there will most likely be no extra funds for the services of specialists, you will have to rely on yourself.

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Basic cleaning precautions

Before cleaning the apartment after a fire, protect yourself from the harmful substances that fill the rooms:

1. Get gloves on your hands, and a respirator and gas mask on your face.
2. Cover your hair with a scarf or a special hat.
3. Choose the oldest clothes for work, which can be thrown away after cleaning. Clothing must cover your arms and legs.

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Instruments

The most difficult thing when cleaning rooms after a fire is to wash the soot and get rid of the smell of burning. For such work you will need the following tools:

• Rags (the more the better).
• Broom.
• Plastic bowl.
• Powerful vacuum cleaner.
• Special chemical sponges for cleaning apartments after a fire.
• Putty knife.
• Hard brushes.
• Roller and tray for him.
• Brush (about 30 mm wide).

You will also need special chemicals, which we will discuss below.

Important! It is necessary to start cleaning after a fire by creating a draft: open all windows and doors so that the burner quickly disappears from the premises.

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Cleaning after fire

Of course, the picture of a charred apartment is a terrifying sight, and here everyone is confused by the variety of problems. Gather all your willpower and act in stages.

Stage number 1. Get rid of trash

After the fire, unfortunately, most items become unusable, so start cleaning after the fire by cleaning the room from charred items. Throw away anything that is too damaged by fire. Collect all such garbage and take it out of the affected apartment.

Important! You may have to part with books, even if they are not badly damaged. It is impossible to wash them, but the burning that they have absorbed cannot be removed.

If the furniture is charred or charred, then it will not be possible to save it. But if it looks sooty, then it is possible to restore it. Take the furniture to fresh air and leave it to air, and then seek the help of specialists.

Important! You will not be able to remove traces of fire and soot from furniture on your own, but restoration specialists have effective cleaning methods - both wood and leather, and upholstered furniture.

Burned wallpapers should also be included in the garbage. Remove them from the walls with a spatula. Various plastic interior elements (skirting boards, cornices, etc.) must also be discarded. Hopelessly spoiled doors and windows will have to be thrown out.

Important! If the carpets, curtains and paths are not affected by the fire, but have a terrible smell, then it is possible to save them. Carpets and walkways can be dry cleaned, and soot from curtains and curtains will be removed after thorough washing.

Advice:

• The faster you start cleaning the room, the less soot and soot will be absorbed into the furniture and walls, which means that cleaning the apartment after a fire will be more effective.
• Free the apartment to the maximum. “Bare” walls should remain in the room.

Stage number 2. Start dry cleaning

Thoroughly start cleaning with dry cleaning. If the floor is more or less not dirty, then cover it with a film, covering the joints with tape. Start the main cleaning of rooms after a fire in this way:

1. Clean the walls and ceiling of paint residues and wallpaper.
2. Using a broom and a stiff brush, sweep away all dirt on the floor (use direct, sharp movements).

Important! Do not rub soot on the walls, otherwise it will be impossible to remove it from the room.

3. Dry clean all surfaces with a powerful vacuum cleaner. Pay special attention to crevices.

Important! If possible, use a sandblasting machine to clean all surfaces.

4. Use special chemical sponges for cleaning. Such products, impregnated with a special composition, are useful to wash soot and fumes. Work top-down, cutting off the sponge layer by layer during operation (as soon as the upper part of the sponge becomes clogged, remove it.).

As soon as the dry cleaning of the apartment after the fire is finished, proceed to the next step.

Stage number 3. Wet cleaning

Wet cleaning should be done only after the main dirt has been removed with a vacuum cleaner and brushes.

Important! If you immediately start cleaning the rooms, then you will rub soot deeper into the surface of the walls, and then you will never be able to get rid of it.

For wet cleaning, prepare:

• Special detergents. You can use liquid detergent for dishes or a solution of soda (2 tbsp. L. And 2 tbsp. Hot water).
• Rags, containers with water.
• Stiff brush.

Important! Clean the house after a fire with the following precautions: be sure to use rubber shoes with thick soles. Wear tight rubber gloves. Protect respiratory organs and eyes with glasses and a respirator.

Wet cleaning as follows:

1. Wash off soot with light movements from top to bottom, each time changing the solution to a new one. Repeat the procedure several times until completely cleansed.
2. Wash any remaining dirt with a stiff brush dipped in the prepared solution.
3. Allow the room to dry thoroughly.
4. After wet cleaning, treat the walls with sealant to neutralize the stubborn soot.
5. Apply a deep penetration primer to cleaned surfaces.

Important! Not always even the most diligent washing helps to get rid of the smell of burning, therefore, additional purification of the air is necessary.

Stage number 4. We clean the air from burning

Cleaning companies purify indoor air after a fire using ozonizers. Many companies provide a service - a rental device. Use this service whenever possible, because ozone is one of the most powerful disinfectants. He will quickly get rid of burning all the objects in the room, and it is very simple to use: turn on the device and leave it for a while (from several hours to a week).

If the ozonizer is not available to you, use the following recommendations and tips:

• Place a pot of hot water on the stove and let it simmer for several hours.
• Hang towels, sheets soaked in diluted vinegar throughout the apartment. Change contaminated tissue periodically.
• Turn on the hot water in the bathroom and open the door.

Prepare a special chemical solution to remove the smell of burning from the apartment. You will need:

• Glass container with thick walls.
• Baking soda - 40 g.
• 10% ammonia - 40 ml.
• Hydrochloric acid - 40 ml.

Prepare the solution as follows:

1. Pour soda into a glass container.
2. Add ammonia.
3. Gently stir the food.
4. Add hydrochloric acid to the vessel (gradually, in small portions)

Important! Dense white smoke begins to rise from the tank. It well removes odors from the premises.Leave the vessel with the mixture in the apartment for a day, and then carefully ventilate the room.

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Stock footage

As you can see, it’s not so easy to do the cleaning yourself, but after all the procedures you can safely start the repair, because the smell will not return anymore. If you have to clean the house after a fire of enormous size, then it is more advisable to turn to the services of cleaning companies. They will cope with the problem much faster and more efficiently. They have not only equipment and special equipment available that can speed up the cleaning several times. Specialists will take out the trash on their own, as well as clean the carpets, furniture and even small items, prepare the house for further repairs.