Soot cleaning after a fire: what to leave alone and what to ask

NYC Fire Damage Restoration is an independent referral service, not a restoration company. When you send the form, your details go to an independent local restoration provider serving New York City, who can contact you, inspect and quote any work directly. You decide whether to hire them.

A word on sources

No government or standards page opened for this site sets out a full method for cleaning soot. One extension service’s guide to cleaning after a fire gives a basic rule, quoted below. The rest is a description of general practice, not a rule or a recommendation of any product. A provider who inspects can explain the method they propose for your materials, and you can ask them to put it in writing.

Why loose soot is not wiped

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s guide to cleaning after a fire says water and other cleaning solutions will drive soot and ash further into the surface of your items, and it advises vacuuming soot and ash off instead, without letting the nozzle touch the surface. That is why loose soot is generally removed dry before any liquid touches it: a wet cloth tends to smear it into a wider stain in paint, plaster, wood and fabric. Rubbing with a hand or brushing a sofa can push it in too. So for anyone waiting for help, the simplest course is to leave soot where it is, apart from carefully moving belongings you need away from it.

How surfaces differ

Surface	In general practice
Painted walls and ceilings	Dry removal first, then cleaning suited to the paint. Some surfaces are sealed and repainted once clean.
Bare wood, brick and stone	Porous: soot can settle into the surface, so methods are chosen carefully and tested on a small area.
Glass, metal and tile	Hard and sealed: usually the easiest to clean fully.
Fabric, upholstery and carpet	Often cleaned off site or by specialist methods. Some cannot be saved.
Electronics and appliances	Not cleaned with liquids while powered. Have them looked at before switching them on.
Vents and ductwork	Residue inside can keep spreading through the home until the system is cleaned.

What you can do now

• Photograph everything first. NYC Emergency Management advises against throwing away damaged goods until an inventory is made, and the City Council’s fire guide tells tenants to photograph everything.
• Ask your insurer for instructions before cleaning starts, if you are insured, as NYC Emergency Management advises.
• Keep air systems off if you know or suspect contamination. The EPA advises against running a heating or cooling system you know or suspect is contaminated with mold, which can follow wet firefighting.
• Do not mix cleaning products. The EPA warns against mixing cleaning products or adding bleach to other chemicals.
• Keep children and pets out of sooty rooms while you wait.

Soot in apartment buildings

In a New York building, soot on your walls may come from a fire somewhere else, and soot in the hallway is the building’s to clean. The City Council’s guide says building management hires vendors for clean-up and remediation in a rental building, and that their clean-up company should test for asbestos. If you rent, tell the super or managing agent in writing what you see in your unit. If you own a co-op or condo apartment, ask where the building’s work ends and yours begins, and check your own policy or agent. The page on smoke damage restoration NYC covers how smoke travels between units.

Questions to ask before cleaning starts

• Which surfaces and items do you expect to clean, and which would you replace?
• What method will you use on each material, and will you test it on a small area first?
• In what order will the rooms be done, and how will clean rooms be kept clean?
• Will the vents and ductwork be cleaned?
• How will smell be dealt with once the residue is gone? See smoke odor removal.
• Can I have the scope and the list of items in writing for my insurer?

Are soot stains permanent?

Not always, and not always removable either. Hard, sealed surfaces usually clean well. Porous materials, light fabrics and paper may keep a stain or a smell. The honest answer comes from someone who has seen the material in person. Ask for their view item by item, and keep your own photos of each one.

When you send the request, say where the soot is, the borough, the building type and whether you can get back in. An independent local restoration provider can contact you, inspect and quote directly. Asking is free, and you never have to hire anyone. For belongings, see contents cleaning and pack-out.

Questions people ask