There is hope to restore back fire-damaged items.
The last thing anyone wants is for their property to be damaged by fire. Fire is the biggest threat to anyone’s investment. It causes the entire house to turn into ashes. The smoke and soot damages countless belongings. It leaves the family to start from scratch.
Do not lose hope. If you find yourself picking up the pieces of a fire-damaged property, bear in mind that you do not have to do the clean-up on your own. There are fire damage restoration services ready to help you stand back up from the chaos and mess made by the fire.
When you know who to call, you do not need to throw everything away. There is a possibility that some items in your house can still be saved. You only need to act immediately and know which ones need to be thrown out and which ones can still be kept.
What Should Be Thrown Away?
It may be difficult to simply toss things away, but the cost of replenishing is preferable to the risk of probable contamination after a fire.
Perishable and Non-Perishable Food Items
Even if food is kept in aluminum cans and sealed jars, heat causes bacteria to proliferate and harmful gases to seep into it. After a fire, food items left at room temperature, opened containers, and those stored in cardboard and plastic bags, or any other permeable packaging, should be thrown away. Even though the items are sealed and appear to be good on the exterior, they may no longer be edible after being exposed to heat.
Contamination of food is perilous to one’s health, especially for children. Food that is burned, within corroded or bulging cans, or with visible fire extinguisher dust should not be kept.
Medicines
Heat, smoke, and soot have a significant impact on the effects of medicines. Similarly, the fire extinguisher’s efficacy is affected by water and chemicals. Because they are vital to your health, you should discard them all and seek a fresh prescription from your doctor.
Toiletries and Cosmetics
The chemicals and minerals in your make-up and toiletries are affected by heat. Even though there are no evident indicators, it contains chemicals that contaminate bathroom items.
Electrical Appliances
Electrical equipment that has been damaged by fire should be discarded to prevent another fire from starting.
What Are You Allowed to Keep?
Surfaces that are hard and non-porous can typically be saved. Here are a few examples:
Floors
Your hardwood floor can be saved unless it is severely burned. Simply clean it with oil and soap.
Glass and Metals
Although these two may get tarnished because of fire damage, they are normally fire-resistant. Both of these items can be cleaned with vinegar and a soap dish. Glass can also be soaked in a solution of baking soda and white vinegar. Metals may also be sanded and coated after washing.
Can You Still Keep the Clothes?
Restoring clothes back to their original state is possible when the clothes are not totally burned. When you know how to get smoke out of clothes after a house fire, there is no need to put smoke-damaged clothes into the dumpster.
Here are some essentials that you need to do first:
- Inspect the integrity of the clothes. If you see any burn hole, it is better to throw the item away.
- Separate the burnt from non-burnt clothes
- Hang wet clothes and let them dry to avoid build-up of molds
- Cover non-burnt clothes with plastic sheets
How to Get Fire Smell Out of Clothes
While cleaning the clothes is what immediately comes to mind, know that doing so will just make the situation worse. If you wash the garments right away, the water loosens the smoke smell and, when absorbed back into the water, creates smoke-scented water. Then it spreads throughout the garment.
To begin, let it dry outside for about a day and shake off any soot particles. Spray with an equal mixture of water and vinegar after it has aired out. Toss the clothes in the machine while still damp, and add another cup of vinegar and baking soda to the garments. Launder as usual, and then do another cycle with your detergent before it dries.
Don’t worry if the clothes come out smelling like vinegar. The smell will eventually subside. But if the clothes still smell smoky, toss them back for another round of washing. It generally goes away after a few cycles.
How to Get the Smell of Fire Out of Non-washable Fabrics
If you can’t throw it in the machine, baking soda can help you get rid of the odor. Allow the cloth to sit for 24 hours after bringing it outside and sprinkling baking soda on it. Shake it off after a day. If the odor persists, repeat the procedure. It generally occurs before the odor is completely gone. It is important to leave the fabric outside. Fresh air can do wonders.
The best option to take is still to hire professionals to deal with fire damage restoration. Smoke and soot can be harmful to one’s health, and it is possible to inflict further damage to your belongings if you do not have the proper equipment or the skills that experts in the task have.
Keep Our Contact Numbers Handy!
Whenever you need a fire damage restoration for your belongings, Kelly’s Dry Cleaners is here for you.
We are a reputable laundry service in Durango, CO, that specializes in repairing fire-damaged carpets, clothing, curtains, upholstered furniture, and other textiles. We follow a tested and proven process that removes smoke and soot odor, thereby restoring the integrity of your possessions. Our team is experienced in efficient cleaning processes for removing the effects of fire damage.
Kelly’s Dry Cleaners extends its hand to assist you in recovering from the devastating effects of fire. We value your items and will do what it takes to bring them back to shape. Contact us, and we will be happy to assist you.
