The trauma of a house fire is something that no one wants to experience. Walking into the house after the event brings that day or night right back. You can expect the smell of smoke to trigger all kinds of memories. None of them will be pleasant ones. If you are going to reclaim your home and feel comfortable in it again, you will need to banish the filthy smell of smoke for good. Otherwise, it will force its way into your nose and mouth like an unwelcome visitor every time you enter the room. To avoid the urge to hold your nose and gag in your home, check out these methods for how to get burnt smell out after house fire.
If the fire was confined to one room, try to close off that part of the house while you deal with this particularly nasty form of funk. You don’t want the smell to spread to the rest of your home if you can help it. Opening a window can get rid of some of the stale smell of smoke once the fire has been extinguished, but it won’t totally get rid of the reek. These suggestions would come into play once you have removed any items destroyed by the fire and any structural damage has been repaired.
House Fire Deodorizing Solutions
1 Vinegar the Smell Out
Vinegar is a very effective deodorizer. It’s economical and can be found in just about any home. Use vinegar to remove all kinds of smells from interior spaces, including the smoky residue from the scene of a fire. Fill a bowl with white or apple cider vinegar and place it in the room. If you decide to use white vinegar, add a slice of lemon to the bowl to give you some extra deodorizing power. Let it sit for several days to absorb the odor. You can also soak a piece of bread in white vinegar and leave it in the room as a deodorizer.
2 Charcoal Briquettes to the Rescue
Charcoal is another substance that will readily absorb the smell of smoke and any other nasty odors from a house. Put briquettes (the type you would use for a barbeque grill) in a can or a bowl. Place the charcoal in the corners of the room and leave it in place for several days. Over time, you should notice less smoke and musty smells in your place.
3 Hard Surface Cleaning with Lysol and Murphy’s Oil Soap
The molecules that cause the smokey smell can cling to hard surfaces in the room. You will want to give them a thorough cleaning as soon as possible to get rid of the stank. Start by tackling the problem by cleaning the walls, ceilings, any cabinetry (inside and out), wooden furniture, and appliances with an all-purpose cleaner like Lysol. Be sure to rinse the surfaces thoroughly with clean water. Next, you will want to clean any wood surfaces in the room with Murphy’s oil soap. Follow the directions on the bottle for best results.
4 Light an Apple-Cinnamon Candle
The scent of an apple-cinnamon candle can cut through the smell of smoke after a fire. You would need to light it up and burn it for a couple of hours each day for this solution to be effective. An alternative to lighting the candle would be to place some fresh cinnamon sticks in a cup of water and boil them on the stove. The aroma of cinnamon would spread through your home. It is certainly much more pleasant than the smell of smoke, even if it only provides some temporary relief from the original stank.
5 Baking Soda Deodorizer
Baking soda is a good all-purpose deodorizer. To attack the lingering smell of smoke after a fire, sprinkle it on the carpet in the room. Leave it for five or 10 minutes before vacuuming. This should remove any smells lurking in the flooring. It will not damage the fibers, and you can use it as often as you wish.
[contact]
