Fires can happen when least expected and wreak havoc not only on our physical property but also on everything in it, including our personal clothing and all materials made of fabric.
After the fire is out, knowing how to clean smoke out of our clothes and other household items made of textile can help save a ton of money and resources. Acting immediately gives you the best chance of restoring your smoke-damaged clothes. As time passes, smoke and soot particles embed deeper on the fibers of any fabric; thus, making the cleaning process even more difficult.
Calling restoration professionals right away is your best shot at saving your clothes. While you wait for the professional cleaners, there are things you can do to prevent the problem from progressing. Kelly’s Dry Cleaners is here for you. As experts in dry cleaning and fire damage restoration, we know how to get smoke damage out of clothes.
How to Clean Smoke-Damaged Clothes
If you have ever sat in front of a campfire or stayed in a room where people smoke, you may have noticed how easily the smell of smoke clung to your clothes. The same thing happens with the belongings you were able to rescue from a house fire.
The amount of time your clothes were exposed to smoke and soot makes it more complicated to clean. Cleaning smoke-damaged clothes isn’t the same as your regular laundering methods. They require extra care and effort.
Here are some effective methods to clean smoke out of your clothes:
1. Minimize the damage.
- If the clothes and textiles got wet while the firefighters were extinguishing the fire, hang them outside to dry to prevent mold growth.
- Use dehumidifiers and fans. Open windows to keep all the areas well-ventilated.
- Change the filter of your furnace to absorb more of the soot in the air.
- Cover clean fabrics with a plastic sheet. Do this to avoid smoke and soot particles from sticking to the fabrics.
2. Sort out the fabrics.
- Once dry, sort out the fabrics. Separate salvageable items.
- Fabrics with no burn marks can usually be saved.
- Organize the items by washing instructions and fabric types.
- Remove any damaged accessories attached to the clothes.
3. Remove soot clinging to smoke-damaged clothes.
- Before you start the cleaning process, it’s important to remove soot.
- Shake the clothes lightly to remove the soot. Be gentle when shaking it off. Soot may stick to the fabrics because it is oily.
- You can also use a vacuum with a narrow tip attachment. Keep the vacuum an inch or two away from the fabric.
- A brush tip attachment is a no-no. This may only push the soot deeper into the clothes’ fabric.
- For textiles, it is best to turn to experts for smoke damage cleaning. One wrong step may damage the fabric even more.
How to Get Smoke Smell Out of Clothes
Before you start washing your clothes, the next step is to remove the pungent smoke odor. Your washing efforts may be all in vain if the smoke smell persists. However, the things available to you may not always work. Experts use smoke damage cleaning products and methods.
Perfumes, disinfectants, and aerosol sprays can only mask the awful smell. For the best results, ozone treatment is recommended. Professional restoration experts use the ozone treatment to break down the molecules of smoke.
How to Clean Smoke Damage: Washing Tips
Once all the clothing items have undergone the deodorization process, the next thing to do is to wash smoke-damaged clothes. Here’s what you need to know:
- For “dry clean only” fabrics, bring them to professional dry cleaners certified to handle smoke-stricken items.
- For polyester and cotton fabrics, use warm water. Do not use bleach.
- For bleach-safe fabrics, you can use detergent.
It is best to resort to handwashing for the first two to three weeks. This method guarantees that soot oils will not damage your clothing any further. If you weren’t able to avail of any ozone treatment, and the unpleasant smells persist, do the following:
- Mix one cup of bleach, four to six tablespoons of trisodium phosphate, and a gallon of water.
- Leave your clothes to soak overnight.
- Rinse them afterward, and then hang them to dry.
How to Remove Smoke Smell Out of Non-Washable Fabrics
For non-washable fabrics, there’s still hope. Baking soda works wonders in removing the awful smoke smell. Here’s how to do it:
- Bring the non-washable garment outside.
- Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda all over the fabric.
- Leave the baking soda for a day to give the clothing maximum chances of becoming odor-free.
- The baking soda in combination with fresh air will drive out the smoke odor.
- Once done, shake the fabric to remove the baking soda. You can also use a vacuum cleaner.
What Can Fire Damage Restoration Experts Do For You?
While washing smoke-damaged clothes can help address the initial damage of fire and smoke and prevent any further problems from occurring, turning to fire damage restoration experts can also help address any other major concern that’s left or may have been overlooked by you. Here’s how experts can help:
1. Gives peace of mind
Experts in fire damage restoration know how to handle fire-damaged items. They have the skills and equipment to handle the extra care required by smoke-damaged clothes. Say goodbye to permanent, yellow stains when you have professionals working on the restoration of your items.
2. Saves more than clothing
Not only do they handle clothes, but they also care for rugs, carpets, bedding, and curtains. Get the chance to preserve your things with sentimental value with the help of experts. Note that time is of the essence when it comes to fire damage. The faster you bring the items to them, the better.
Restoration professionals have a goal in mind: to restore the quality of your clothing. Thus, saving you from having to shop for an entirely new wardrobe.
Kelly’s Dry Cleaners Is Here for You!
Kelly’s Dry Cleaners is here for you. We specialize in cleaning smoke damage out of textiles and clothes. Our team has the skills, experience, tools, and equipment to tackle every aspect of smoke damage.
Choose us for fire damage restoration in Durango, CO. Our cleaning experts will breathe new life into your smoke-damaged clothes. Call us today!
