What can I keep after a house fire?

Generally, any item that's strong enough to survive the heat and the flames without absorbing water and smoke is completely salvageable after a fire. It might be a little stained, but it's nothing a little cleaning won't fix.

What is safe to keep after a house fire?

To remove soot and smoke from walls, furniture and floors, use a mild soap or detergent or mix together 4 to 6 tbsp. tri-sodium phosphate and 1 cup household cleaner or chlorine bleach to every gallon of warm water. Wear rubber gloves. Be sure to rinse surfaces with clear warm water and dry thoroughly.

What can you salvage from a house fire?

Can I use my dishes after a house fire?

You may be asking yourself, is it safe to use dishes after a house fire? As long as your plates, pots, utensils and other kitchen items are thoroughly cleaned, they should be safe to use. However, plastic and wood dishes will likely need to be thrown out, because smoke can be easily absorbed into these materials.

Can you keep furniture after a fire?

One of the most unexpected items that could end up impacting your health is fire-damaged furniture that was improperly cleaned or unwisely kept (instead of being thrown out). Fire and smoke are particularly detrimental to furniture. Fortunately, in most cases, furniture can be salvaged.

Tips On Recovering From A House Fire

What is left after a fire?

Soot is the result of a fire. It's a powdery black substance that occurs when the fire doesn't completely burn the fuel source. Soot ionizes and can get stuck on all different types of surfaces. It also is INCREDIBLY difficult to clean and remove.

How do you wash clothes after a fire?

Wash bleach-safe fabrics in heavy detergent. Hand-wash your clothes for the first two to three washes to prevent soot oils from contaminating the next few loads of laundry. If odors persist, soak the items into a mixture of 4 to 6 tablespoons of trisodium phosphate, 1 cup of bleach, and 1 gallon of water.

What do you do after you lose everything in a fire?

Contact your local disaster relief service, such as the ARC or the Salvation Army. They will help you find food, clothing, medicine and a place to stay. You have a big job ahead of you. Get plenty of rest, and ask for help.

How do you clean appliances after a fire?

Go over each appliance as much as necessary to remove the soot. If you would rather not use a chemical, a simple mixture of 1-part vinegar to 3 parts water can also do the trick. Vinegar acts as a cleansing agent and can easily remove soot from painted or unpainted walls, appliances and floors.

Can mattresses be cleaned after smoke damage?

They need to be cleaned away from all surfaces. However, if the mattress was unaffected from the smoke and fire, there should be no damaging effects to it. Simply give it a good vacuuming using the upholstery attachment to remove any surface dust or debris and continue to use as normal.

How long does it take for smoke to clear out of a house?

Depending on the steps you take, and how diligent you are in combating the smoke particles, your odor removal timeline could range anywhere from two weeks to a month.

Is a house fire a traumatic event?

Simply put, a house fire is one of the most traumatic things that can happen in a person's life. Your home is your sanctuary. It is where you are supposed to feel the safest. But a house fire can shatter that feeling of safety and replace it with a sense of unease.

How long does PTSD last after house fire?

Symptoms of PTSD After Burn Injury

Symptoms of PTSD can surface 3 months to 1 year after the event. Thankfully, there is help. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you have any or all of the following: Re-experiencing, including flashbacks, bad dreams or scary thoughts.

Can you get PTSD from house fire?

Not only during, but afterward, a fire disrupts the family routine and undermines the sense of safety. Losing one's home and property can lead to depression and elevated levels of distress, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

How do you get rid of house fire smell?

Baking soda is an inexpensive and natural odor-absorber. Peek suggests leaving a few bowls of baking soda around the house for several days to help absorb the odors. “Activated charcoal also is an option to help absorb odors. Use it like you would baking soda and place it in bowls around the house for several days.

How do you clean shoes after a fire?

If the clothing still smells smoky, fill the washer with water and two cups of baking soda and allow the clothing to soak overnight, then wash again as usual. Leather clothes, shoes, and accessories should be wiped down with a cloth dampened with plain water and then blotted dry.

How can I get the smoke smell out of my house?

Try wiping down furniture, washable walls, floors, etc. with white vinegar. Also, try placing several bowls of vinegar around the room with the smoke damage, leaving them there for several days. If you can't stand the smell of vinegar, try mixing a bit of lavender oil into the bowls to help cut the odor of the vinegar.

What remains after wood is burned?

When wood is burned, oxygen and other elements in the air (mainly carbon, hydrogen and oxygen) react to form carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere, while the minerals turn into ashes.

Can you use an oven after a fire?

Although most believe you should replace all appliances after a fire, it may not always be necessary. If you clean the oven thoroughly and it's functioning properly, it is most likely safe to use again after a fire. If you want to be extra careful, you should also check for cracks in the walls and ceiling of the oven.

How do you comfort someone after a house fire?

What kills the smell of smoke?

To reduce the smoke smell in a room or vehicle, fill several small bowls with white vinegar, set them around the space, and let them sit overnight. To speed up the deodorizing process, simmer a saucepan of vinegar on the stove for an hour or two. As the steam wafts through the air, it will help remove the smoke smell.

Does the smell of smoke ever go away?

Long after the flames of a fire have subsided, the smell of smoke lingers on. Left untreated, it may never fully go away. If you've ever owned a vehicle that belonged to a smoker, you know just how much staying power smoke can have. The smell of smoke comes from the chemical reactions that take place in a fire.

What spray gets rid of smoke smell?

ZEP Commercial Smoke Odor Eliminator removes the smell of smoke, cigarettes, cigars and fire at the source. This odor eliminator works quickly to neutralize garbage and bathroom odors.

Can you get fire smoke smell out of a mattress?

Use baking soda to remove smoke smell from mattress

Just sprinkle it over your bed and let it do all the job. The longer you keep it, the better the results. And again, you can also open the windows to let the sunlight help baking soda eliminate the smell. Then vacuum your bed and enjoy better sleep.