When you need it
- Walls, ceilings, cabinets and fixtures are covered in soot
- Smoke has spread through the apartment or building
- A contractor needs the surfaces cleaned before painting or repair
Why it matters
Regular vacuums blow it back
Fine soot passes straight through normal vacuum filters and ends up in the air and on every surface again. We use H-class HEPA vacuums.
A wet cloth first smears it in
Wiping greasy soot with water pushes it into the paper of the drywall and the pores of the paint. That stain usually cannot be cleaned afterwards.
Bottom-up drips over clean surfaces
Cleaning from the bottom up means dirty water runs down over the parts that are already clean.
No protection, real exposure
Soot contains fine particles and toxic residues. Working without respirators exposes the crew and spreads contamination.
Our procedure
HEPA vacuum
Loose soot removed from ceilings, walls, shelves and floors with soft brush heads.
Dry chemical sponge
A vulcanised rubber soot sponge lifts soot without smearing it. Straight, overlapping strokes, fresh sponge surface all the time.
Wet cleaning
A degreaser matched to the soot type, tested on a small patch first, with as little water as possible on porous materials.
Rinse
Clean water and frequent water changes, so no cleaner film or soot is left behind.
White-cloth wipe test
Every room is tested and photographed. If the cloth is not clean, the room is cleaned again.
The cleaning order
- Ceilings first, then walls, then floors.
- Dry methods before wet methods.
- Straight strokes in one direction, never circles.
- Fresh sponge surface and clean water all the time.
- Every room wipe-tested and photographed before it is called clean.
Also included
- Kitchen and wardrobe doors removed and cavities cleaned; swollen or smelling chipboard replaced
- Glass, tiles, sinks, taps and stainless steel cleaned and rinsed
- Switch and socket covers removed by an electrician
- Appliances and electronics tested or replaced by a technician
- Ventilation filters replaced; duct cleaning by specialists if soot entered the ducts
- Final HEPA vacuum of the whole unit
Equipment
- H-class HEPA vacuums
- Dry chemical soot sponges
- Degreasers matched to soot type, pH strips
- Colour-coded buckets and microfibre
- P3 respirators, coveralls, double nitrile gloves, goggles
What you receive
- Before and after photos per room
- Wipe test photos
- List of items sent for testing or replacement
Order it on its own
Questions
Can soot-stained drywall be saved?
Often yes, if it was not wet-wiped first and is not soaked or charred. If the stain stays after correct cleaning, it is sealed with a shellac-based primer before painting.
Why not just paint over it?
Normal paint does not block soot and smoke residue. Stains and smell bleed through, often when the heating goes on.
Do you clean furniture and contents?
Hard contents yes. Textiles and electronics are assessed case by case and, where needed, sent to specialists.