cleaning after a fire

Little_Vics

So I fully expect to get some 'you are an idiot' comments here, so I'll save you the trouble by confessing that we are IDIOTS, didn't get our chimney swept, and have had a small fire tonight. Fire brigade were fab, and thankfully the worst we've got to face is a layer of soot all over the living room.

We're hurting, so please don't be too harsh.

anyway, the point of my post is two-fold.

1. Please get your chimneys swept.

2. Any tips on the best way to remove soot? It's everywhere - carpets, sofas, furniture, books, photos..... - just a fine layer, but enough for me to need to clean deeply.

thanks

a very tearful LV

Linda32

Awwr, bless you, I very much doubt anyone will say anything nasty. Honestly we've all done things which we shouldn't have done before.


All I can suggest is hot water and lots of clothes and just wash and wash.

Perhaps vacuum everything first though, then I'm thinking take your books outside and brush with a clean paint brush.

So sorry again, it must be awful for you.

elsien

Worth going through the insurance and getting professional cleaners in?
One of those awful jobs that could get horribly messy quite quickly, unfortunately.
My sympathies, I've also been guilty of the "it'll wait a bit longer" on the chimney sweeping front.

Little_Vics

I'm wondering about getting the professionals in - it's not horrifically bad, but I just can't face it to be honest.

Time for gin.

nearlyrich

Well all I can think is at least you are all OK so what's a bit of soot, easy done, have a gin and count your blessings ...

Softstuff

I remember cleaning our flat after the flat next door had a fire and the worst bit was the lingering smell. Most of the soot vacuumed up or wiped off with a cloth, I washed everything washable a couple of times. After that I kept using the Neutradol carpet shake and vac stuff and would burn incense (sounds funny, but it was a pleasant burny smell that would cover the other burny smell). Best of luck with your cleanup.

lostinrates

Re onsurance, be aware that you might have invalidated it with not having a signed cert for chimney sweeping. This is laughed about my most people we know who sweep their own, but if something went worng as it has for you then suddenly that sign off cert seems valuable.we used someone who did jot oroduce such a thing last year. Thank you tor convincing me not to do that this year.

If you are safe that is the most important thing. Hug each other and try and keep it in mind a you clean. Any good friends who might help?

TPractically, getting floors done ( giring carpet cleaner?) will reduce the 'tramping' of it through the house.

Take care. What good luck that it was not worse.

valk_scot

If you can afford it get a pro team in to do it. Soot is miserable stuff, it makes your skin itch and it's not great if you have any respiratory problems either. Pros will have cleaning equipment that will get through the job with minimal fuss and bother.

pigpen

Professionals did a really crap job of our kitchen.. I had to fully redecorate and scrub everything.

Vacuum what you can, wash/wipe what you can and that is about all you can do.. soot is horrible and sticky and nasty.. I was quite horrified at the number of cobwebs we had which were not visible when clean but with a layer of dust it looked like a cave!

You just have to work your way through.. I cleaned item by item and put the clean stuff in a clean room and when we got to bare bones of the room I was able to clean that and get stuff put back in. It took me about 3 weeks.. and it was 3.5 weeks before the 'cleaners' were able to come!

luxor4t

Depending on the extent and type (ie burn or long smoulder) you might find that you can't shift the smell from the walls and furniture.

My sister's last house was filled with smoke after a smoulder and she had to ditch the particle board bookcases. Wooden stuff lost the smell after it was sanded and repainted. The sofa etc had to go too and some walls were replastered.

The cleaning company sent in by the insurers were a disaster as they sent damp items into storage and argued about the mould on recovery!

trailingspouse

Avoid using water for as long as possible - vacuum everything (you'll kill your vacuum cleaner eventually, as the soot gets through the filter, but frankly that's the least of your problems), shake things outside, use a dry duster, anything to avoid water. Yes, I'm talking from experience... When you do get to the point where you need to actually wash things, I was told to use cold water. I'm not sure why. And wear rubber gloves, and overalls if you can get them (B&Q sell them I think) - the soot gets everywhere.