Home Garden

What Is the Strongest Chemical Cleaner to Remove the Smell of Smoke After a Fire?

The smell of smoke after a fire can linger for weeks if not properly cleaned away. The stubbornness of this smell is due to the basic composition of smoke, which contains trace gases and tiny particles of PM10, an abbreviation for particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter. These particles are so small that they can be hard to remove without the use of very strong chemical cleaners. With the right chemicals, it is possible to remove the smell of smoke completely.
  1. Precleaning

    • In cases of extreme smoke damage, precleaning an area with a lingering smoke odor is the best way to assure that the strong chemical cleaners will work well on the first use. Bowls of baking soda or activated charcoal placed around the room overnight can absorb lingering smoke odors, while spraying white vinegar on the surface of fabrics, upholstery and other porous materials can also eliminate some of the smoke smell. Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter on carpets, furniture and drapes can remove smoke particulate matter from fabrics.

    Trisodium Phosphate

    • Trisodium phosphate can be purchased at hardware stores and used to dissipate strong odors. To clean items that can be bleached, combine trisodium phosphate, household chlorine bleach and water in a large tub. Submerge smoke-tainted items, agitate and rinse with water. Ensure that you air dry outside, away from any lingering smoke smells in your home. For items that can't be laundered, like walls, look for cleaning products that contain trisodium phosphate.

    Cyclodextrin

    • This sugarlike substance can be sprinkled over fabrics and vacuumed away to remove smoke smells. It has a powerful ability to absorb odors, far superior to charcoal or baking soda. When dissolved into solution, it can be sprayed around the room and allowed to air-dry. Cyclodextrin is one of the active ingredients in fabric refresher/odor-absorbing sprays. Look for an odor-absorbing product that contains the highest level of cyclodextrin that you can find.

    9-D-9

    • The 9-D-9 chemical cleaning blend is a counteractant specifically formulated to neutralize smoke odors. Its formula includes dipropylene glycol, aromatic esters and aldehydes to mask the scent of smoke particules, as well as the nonionic surfactant octylphenoxypolethoxyethanol.