Replies

1. 
   BruceS | Jul 05, 2008 05:51pm | #1

   I had a house fire 35 years ago.  What a mess!  Cloths, books and anything fabric is next to impossible to clean.   Dishes, pots and pans and the like were cleaned with Oven cleaner.  Furniture was done the same way, with extreme care.  The smoke residue was like varnish film, soap would not cut it!

   Ended up refinishing everything.  Dressers were the worst. The smell even permeated inside the drawers and dust shelves,  every surface had to be cleaned and then sealed with paint(oil base enamel) or shellac. There will probably be better answers than mine but that's what we did.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

2. 
   10fingers | Jul 05, 2008 10:14pm | #2

   Hello,

   there is a machine called a ozone generator.  It creates O3.  It will get rid of the smoke odor in 24-48 hours.  I used to work for Steamatic doing fire and water restoration.  They have big sponges to clean the smoke residue from furniture.  A strong chemical degreaser might be required.  Check for fire and water restoration services.  It is usually an insurance job.

   Good luck,

   10fingers

1. 
   zolton | Jul 07, 2008 07:07pm | #3

   Fire and restoration companies often use shellac based products to seal in smoke odors. So, that might be a possibility to spray inside the drawers to seal in the smell.

   ZoltonIf you see a possum running around in here, kill it. It's not a pet. - Jackie Moon

2. 
   brucet9 | Jul 11, 2008 06:16am | #6

   Better remove all steel parts before using an O3 generator. The ozone will rust any steel parts and oxidize other metals as well.
   BruceT

1. 
   davcefai | Jul 11, 2008 02:20pm | #7

   Ozone is nasty stuff. Even at low concentrations.If you go down this route - which sounds like a good idea - please make sure that any members of the household with any sort of respiratory problem, mild as it may be, is away for the day.There have been some reports of ozone allergies too.

1. 
   10fingers | Jul 11, 2008 10:24pm | #8

   Hello,

   the ozone generator is usually set on a timer.  The ozone naturally disapates into O2 as O3 is unstable.  The company that does this won't let anyone into the building until it is safe.  Another benifit of ozone is that all bugs, mice, and rats die.

   It is better if a restoration company does the work.  They have the experience, manpower, and chemicals to do the work.  Every surface in the house must be cleaned including dishes and everything else.  If the walls are not cleaned, paint will not stick the next time the walls are painted.  A fire job is a real mess, but it smells like money for the restoration company.  If the house didn't have insurance, many dry cleaners have an ozone generator to get rid of the smell on clothes and draperies.  A strong degreaser is needed to clean the walls; a commercial chemical company has this.  Good luck.

   10fingers

3. 
   Gretchen | Jul 07, 2008 08:25pm | #4

   Their insurance should pay for the furniture to be professionally cleaned, and if needed, refinished.

   Gretchen
4. 
   Charlie43 | Jul 10, 2008 07:22pm | #5

   Servicemaster has a product called Wall Glide for washing soot off of walls.  Probably Paul Davis Restorations and ServPro do also.