Although it might seem unlikely, data shows that fire is a serious threat to your investment.
According to data from the National Fire Protection Association, every 24 seconds, a fire department somewhere responds to a call for help. The total number of responses received by local fire departments was 1,291,500, resulting in $14.8 million in property damage in 2019.
These fires can turn homes into ashes, causing some families to start over. Soot and smoke can also damage their belongings, but it does not mean they cannot salvage their items and remove soot from clothing.
Learn how to get smoke smell out of clothes with Kelly’s Dry Cleaners.
Can You Save Smoke-Damaged Clothes?
Clothes are one of the most frequently discarded items after a fire. But what if you had the chance to save your favorite outfits from fire damage?
You may be wondering what can be saved from smoke damage? Clothing that hasn’t burned in flames with slight smoke, soot, or heat damage, are some of the easier items to save after a fire.
You can still restore your clothes to their original condition. However, some may require special care and the expertise of fire damage restoration professionals.
Common Household Items and Tips to Clean Clothes After a Fire
It’s possible to salvage some of your family’s clothes and use them again in your daily routine. It may help save some money and become small, simple reminders of daily life before the fire that can help you rebuild your life after the recent trauma.
Here’s how to get fire smoke smell out of clothes and salvage them:
1. Sort your clothes.
Separating clothes that are salvageable from those that cannot be repaired is the first thing to do after a fire. Carefully examine every article of clothing for burn holes and remove items that have sustained severe burn damage; it’s best to have them replaced.
After removing the damaged clothes, start sorting through the rest of the clothes according to their fabric type and washing instructions; be on the lookout for bleach-safe clothing.
Be aware of clothing with metal fittings, buttons, or beadwork. These accessories are not made of fabric that can cause irreversible damage and turn the item into an eyesore.
2. Call your insurance provider.
Contact your insurance provider before beginning the smoke smell removal process. Processing an insurance claim can take some time, so it’s best to get started as soon as possible. Although a total payout might not be available for some time, there might be an option to receive a partial payout from insurance companies to cover your basic needs.
3. Remove soot from clothing.
How to get soot out of clothes after a fire? Begin by removing as much soot from your clothes before washing them. Take them outside and shake the soot out. Don’t beat them, or you might damage them further.
High-powered vacuum cleaners are another way to get rid of soot. Hold the vacuum cleaner’s narrow, high-suction tip at least one inch away from your fabric. Never use the brush tip attachment; its bristles can force soot particles into the clothing and make it more difficult to clean.
4. Eliminate the smoke odor of clothes.
Assuming that regular laundry can get rid of the smoke smell is wrong; it can actually make the problem worse. Water can loosen and remove the smoky odor during the wash. However, water can absorb the odor, spreading it more evenly on your clothes.
Here are some of the common household items you can use to remove the smoky smell:
- Water and vinegar: Use equal amounts of vinegar and water to spray your clothes. You can repeat this process if the smoky scent is too strong.
- Trisodium phosphate and bleach: Trisodium phosphate and bleach is another set of common household items you can use to eliminate smoke odors. Mix one cup of bleach, four to six tablespoons of trisodium phosphate, and a gallon of water.
- Baking soda and vinegar: Pour a cup of vinegar and baking soda on your clothes before washing them, then wash them as you normally would. Don’t worry if your clothes smell like vinegar; the smell will gradually disappear. Repeat the process if your clothes still smell like smoke.
5. Don’t use household deodorizers.
The majority of household deodorizers will not eliminate the cause of the smoke smell but only mask it temporarily. It may also combine with the smoke smell, making things worse. If the smoke odor persists even after multiple washing, you should contact a company to treat your clothes with ozone. Experts know how to get smoke smell out of clothes.
6. Call fire damage restoration experts.
Get further guidance from a fire restoration expert. Experts in fire damage can restore clothes, structures, and other personal property from fire damage. They are also equipped with the correct tools that can effectively remove all odors from your fire-damaged clothes. Don’t hesitate to seek professional advice on how to get smoke out of clothes after a house fire.
How About Non-washable Fabrics?
Even if non-washable fabrics make the smoke smell removal process more challenging, it’s not impossible. Take your garment outside and apply baking soda generously, making sure it covers all of your garment’s surfaces.
Allow it to settle for 24 hours to get the best results. After the time has passed, you can remove the baking soda by shaking it off or vacuuming your clothes.
Leave your clothes out in the air as long as possible. Fresh air helps remove the smoke odor. If the smell persists, you might need to repeat this process several times.
Kelly’s Dry Cleaners Is Here for You
Call the experts when common household items don’t eliminate smoke and fire damage.
Kelly’s Dry Cleaners is one of the go-to dry cleaners in Durango, CO. Our team knows how to get smoke damage out of clothes without damaging your items further. You have the best chance of getting your clothes back to their pre-damaged state with us. Give us a call!
