How to Clean and Professionally Remove Soot From Drywall

Wear protective gear, including long clothing, rubber gloves, protective goggles and a respiratory mask.

Vacuum the soot from the drywall. Use a vacuum with good suction, renting one from a rental center if necessary. Use the attachment used to vacuum hard surfaces, such as walls and floors. Do not use the beater attachment. Change the vacuum bag frequently for the best results. You may need to also clean the attachment frequently in hot, soapy water.

Scrub the remaining soot off with a nylon scrub brush, using a cleaner safe for drywall and labeled as a degreaser, which is effective in removing soot. Dilute the cleaner in water as indicated on the label. You can also make your own cleaner with 2 tablespoons of trisodium phosphate (TSP) per gallon of water.

Discard and replace the water often as you clean. Then, rinse the walls with a clean rag, often in clean water. If the cleaner is insufficient in removing the soot, use a chemical cleaning sponge -- available in cleaning-supply stores or online -- that is effective in cleaning walls and other hard surfaces.

Seal the drywall with a primer specifically labeled to protect and seal walls associated with fires. After the primer dries, the drywall is ready for paint.