Fire – Clean up Advice – From the BRC What Next ER Handbook

Please contact your insurance company or landlord/council first
before arranging for a company to clean up.

With that in mind, please take photos before you begin to clean up.
Insurance companies may ask for photographic evidence; once you have
started cleaning it will begin to look a lot better very quickly. To reduce the amount of damage there are a number of actions that can be taken (outlined in this section).

Please start the clean-up process as promptly as possible. The cleaning will
become harder the longer you leave it.

Remember when entering the building, safety is your priority!

• Smoke Odour
  Wash smoke odour and soot out of washable clothing, bedding and upholstery
  at the first opportunity. Follow washing instructions on labels as this will
  prevent mildew. If soot or mildew remains after washing, seek advice from a
  professional laundry or dry cleaners.
  It also helps to vacuum the area to remove as much of the ash and smoke
  particles as possible before washing. Make sure you use a vacuum cleaner with
  a high quality filter and do not use the brush attachment.
  Plug in air fresheners can minimise the smell of smoke in your home, although
  there is no quick fix. It will take time.
  
  

• Drying out
  Premises will need to be thoroughly heated and ventilated; open windows for
  several days however, please be mindful of maintaining security.
  Dry out any wet items as soon as possible. Use fans and dehumidifiers to dry
  carpets and draperies.
  If not thoroughly dried, carpets and smoke odour may remain in clothing,
  upholstered furniture, carpets, and draperies unless they are properly
  deodorized before cleaning. If not done properly the floors underneath may
  also be quickly damaged beyond repair by mould and mildew. As well as drying out carpets, dehumidifiers will remove water from the atmosphere. Do not use LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) heaters, as they create additional water vapour.
  
  

• Cleaning walls
  Walls with soot on them can be washed with a mild soap or detergent solution.
  Wash a small area at a time working from the ceiling down. Plaster can be
  repaired whilst still damp. Care should be taken near electrical switches.
  
  

• Fabrics and clothing
  Please don’t send smoke damaged garments to ordinary dry cleaners, the
  wrong cleaning method may make smoke and odour impossible to remove.
  They will be able to give you advice.
  
  

• Furniture
  Clean dirt off furniture and remove any drawers and items until dry enough to
  prevent sticking. Scrub with a stiff brush and cleaning solution, dry thoroughly,
  and open windows and doors for ventilation. Wet wood will decay and go
  mouldy if not dried properly. Do not dry furniture in direct sunlight; it will warp
  and go out of shape.
  Rinse leather and suede items in cold water and leave to dry naturally.
  Carefully clean fixtures, fittings, towel rails and chrome trim with a light coating
  of petroleum jelly (e.g. Vaseline) or a light oil (e.g. WD40).
  
  

• Carpets and rugs
  Wall to wall carpet is best cleaned with a wet/dry vacuum cleaner. These may
  be hired from carpet stores, dry cleaning shops or tool hire companies.
  Rugs should be dried quickly and thoroughly.
  Clean by sweeping and vacuuming, then use a commercial rug shampoo, using
  as little water as possible. Lay the rug on a flat surface and expose to a
  circulation of warm, dry air. A fan directed over the rug will speed up the drying
  process. Ensure no moisture remains at the base of the tufts, as this may rot the
  rug.
  
  

• Linoleum Tiles
  If water seeps under linoleum, it will cause bad odours after a few days. If this
  happens, remove the entire sheet. It can only be relayed when the floor is
  completely dry.
  
  

• Locks and Hinges
  Smoke fumes and even light heat can easily damage locks and hinges. These
  should be taken apart and wiped clean. If they cannot be removed, spray thin
  oil or WD40 through the keyhole.