AFTER A FIRE RECOVERY PLAN

Things not damaged by the fire may still be ruined and may be soggy with water used to put out the fire. Anything you want to save or reuse will need to be carefully cleaned. There are various solutions for cleaning walls, washing clothing, and removing odors. Always check the health and hazard precautions before using any chemicals or cleaning solutions. Test a small area first to be sure that the solution will not harm the item that you want to clean.​

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Appliances

Do not use any appliances that have been exposed to water or steam until they have been checked by a qualified service representative. This is especially true of electrical appliances. In addition, steam can remove the lubricant from the moving parts of these appliances. To remove odors from your refrigerator or freezer, wash the inside with a solution of baking soda and water or use a solution of 1 cup of vinegar or household ammonia to 1 gallon of water. You can also place an open container of baking soda or a piece of charcoal in the refrigerator or freezer to absorb the odor.

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Cooking Utensils

Pots, pans, flatware, etc., should be washed with soapy water, rinsed, and then polished with a fine-powder cleaner. Copper and brass can be polished with special polish, salt sprinkled on a wedge of lemon, or salt sprinkled on a cloth saturated with  vinegar.

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Clothing

Smoke odor and soot can sometimes be washed from clothing. The following formula will often work on clothing that can be bleached:

• 4 – 6 teaspoons trisodium phosphate (available in paint stores)

• 1 cup household chlorine bleach

• 1 gallon warm water

Be sure to wear rubber gloves. Mix well in a bucket or sink, add clothing, rinse well with clean water, and dry thoroughly.

 

An effective way to remove mildew from clothing is to wash the fresh stain with soap and warm water, rinse thoroughly, and then dry in the sun. If the stain has not disappeared, use lemon juice and salt or a diluted solution of water and chlorine bleach.

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Photographs

Preserving damaged photographs is often very important to victims of fires, floods, and other disasters. If photographs are not burned, they can usually be saved.

 

Never try to peel apart photographs that have stuck together; let the photographs separate on their own. Soak the photos in clear, clean water and rinse carefully and thoroughly. Dry photos image side up on a smooth hard surface. If there are a large number of wet photos, wrap them in plastic wrap and freeze them. Thaw and wash them, a few at a time. If the photos stay damp, they can be damaged by mold.

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Leather and Books

Wipe leather goods with a damp cloth and then with a dry cloth. Stuff purses and shoes with newspaper to retain their shape. Suitcases should be left open. Steel wool or a suede brush can be used on suede. Leather and suede jackets can be rinsed in cold water. All leather goods should be dried away from heat and sun. After leather goods are dry, clean with saddle soap.

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Books can be dried by placing them on end with  pages fanned open and separated. They should be piled and pressed to prevent the pages from wrinkling. Alternate drying and pressing techniques to prevent the books from mildewing until they are thoroughly dry. Cornstarch or talc can be sprinkled between the pages of very damp books. Leave for several hours, then brush off. A fan turned on the books will help them dry.

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Rugs and Carpet

Throw rugs can be cleaned by beating, sweeping, or vacuuming and then shampooing. They should be dried as quickly as possible. Even though the surface of the rug may seem to be dry, moisture remaining at the base of the tufts can quickly cause a rug to rot. Lay the rugs flat and expose them to a circulation of warm, dry air. A fan blowing on the rugs will speed the drying process. For information on cleaning and preserving carpet, call a carpet dealer, installer, or carpet cleaning professional.

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Walls, Floors, Ceilings, Furniture, and Cabinets

To remove soot and smoke from walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, and cabinets, use a mild soap or detergent or mix together the following solution:

• 4 – 6 teaspoons trisodium phosphate (available in paint stores)

• 1 cup household chlorine bleach

• 1 gallon warm water

Be sure to wear rubber gloves. Wash with solution, rinse with clean warm water, and dry thoroughly. If the weather allows, open windows and use a fan to circulate air. Do not repaint until walls and ceilings are completely dry.

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Wallpaper can also be cleaned and repaired. Use a commercial paste to re-adhere loose edges or sections. Contact a wallpaper dealer or installer for  information on wallpaper cleaners. Washable wallpaper can be cleansed like any ordinary wall, but care must be taken not to soak the paper.

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Wood Furniture

Clear off mud and dirt. Scrub wood furniture or fixtures with a stiff brush and cleaning solution. If the piece has drawers, remove them and dry thoroughly so drawers will not stick when reinserted. Wet wood can decay and mold, so dry thoroughly. Do not dry wood furniture in the sun. It will warp and twist out of shape. Open doors and windows for good ventilation. Turn on furnace or air conditioner, if necessary. If mold forms, wipe the wood with a cloth soaked in a mixture of borax dissolved in hot water.

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To remove white spots or film, rub the wood surface with a cloth soaked  in a solution of ½ cup of household ammonia and ½ cup water. Wipe the surface dry and then polish with wax or a cloth soaked in a solution of ½ cup  turpentine and ½ cup linseed oil. Be careful – turpentine is combustible!  Remember, oily rags can start fires by spontaneous combustion. Put all used rags in an airtight metal container, like a paint can, and place outside, away  from your home for disposal.

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Wood surfaces can also be cleaned with a fine grade steel wool pad dipped in liquid polishing wax, wiped clean with a soft cloth, and then buffed.