The Importance of Cleaning Upholstery After a House Fire
12/11/2024 (Permalink)

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in 2020, there were over 490,000 structure fires in the United States. Each of these fires resulted in damage that affected homes and their contents, including furniture. Smoke, soot, and ash can settle deep into the fabric of your furniture, making it essential to clean your upholstery after a fire. Taking care of your furniture quickly can help save it, restore your home, and keep long-term damage from getting worse.
Reasons to Clean Upholstery After a Fire
- Prevent More Damage: Upholstery can absorb smoke, soot, and ash very easily. The longer these particles sit in the fabric, the harder it will be to get them out. If you don’t clean them properly, they can break down the fibers in your furniture, causing permanent damage.
- Remove Odors: Smoke odors cling to upholstery long after the fire is out. Regular cleaning methods won’t cut it to remove these odors because they only clean the surface. Professional cleaning uses advanced techniques to get deep into the fabric and eliminate the smell at its source.
- Restore Appearance: Soot can leave ugly stains on your furniture. With proper cleaning, these stains can be lifted, helping your furniture look like new again. This can save you money by preventing you from having to buy new furniture.
- Save Special Items: After a fire, you may worry about losing items that are valuable or sentimental. Cleaning your upholstery properly can help save those pieces of furniture that are important to you, such as family heirlooms or custom-made items.
Professional Upholstery Cleaning Techniques
Cleaning fire-damaged upholstery isn’t something you can handle with store-bought cleaning products. SERVPRO of Lewiston-Auburn uses special cleaning techniques and tools to tackle the damage left behind by a fire.
Here are some methods professionals use to clean upholstery:
- Dry Cleaning: Used for delicate fabrics, dry cleaning uses special sponges or solvents to lift soot without damaging the material.
- Wet Cleaning: For more durable fabrics, wet cleaning with water-based solutions can remove soot and other debris.
- Foam Cleaning: This method is used for delicate fabrics that need gentle cleaning. The foam removes dirt without soaking the material.
- Deodorization: After cleaning, professionals use special deodorizers to get rid of any lingering smoke smell. Techniques like ozone treatment can reach deep into the fibers to eliminate odors for good.
Steps You Can Take While Waiting for Professional Help
While it’s best to leave the heavy cleaning to professionals, there are a few things you can do to help minimize damage while waiting for help:
- Avoid Using the Furniture: Try not to sit on or use fire-damaged furniture to avoid pushing soot deeper into the fabric.
- Vacuum the Surface: If it’s safe, you can vacuum the surface of the upholstery to remove loose soot. Be gentle and avoid using too much pressure.
- Cover Upholstery: While waiting for professional cleaning, cover the upholstery with clean sheets to prevent more soot from settling.
SERVPRO of Lewiston-Auburn Is Here to Help®
Cleaning upholstery after a fire takes experience, special tools, and a thorough approach. SERVPRO® specializes in fire damage restoration and has the expertise to restore your furniture and belongings. We know every fire situation is different, and we work hard to tailor our cleaning techniques to your needs.