How to Eliminate ate Smoke From your Kalispell Home?

If you are one of the many households is experiencing fire and smoke damage during this wildfire season, it's essential to get your home and belongings adequately cleaned. In many cases, a light clean is adequate for the structure and furniture. If there is any soot on surfaces, a simple wipe-down does the trick. The problem with fire is it not only can leave soot stains on walls and furniture, but it can also leave a nasty odor. It may look clean on the outside, but every time you walk into your home, you will experience that wonderful smell of smoke.  

How do you get rid of Smoke Odor?

HEPA Filter

So how is one to solve the problem of eliminating smoke? For starters leaving windows open and using fans to create an excellent airflow through the house is a great way to start. This method is the easiest and allows you to live in your home while the smell is mitigated. Opening windows and using air purifiers like a HEPA filter can also reduce the smoke particles. Don't have access to a HEPA filter? Call your local restoration company, and they will set up a system of fans and HEPA filters to help get you back to normal the quickest.  

The previous method helps with the general air quality of your home, but most homes are furnished with furniture, rugs, books, and other items that may hold in smell. All of these items, big and small, can hold in odors for longer. Especially upholstery and bedding. These can capture smoke in their material and cushions leading to more extended and more advanced cleaning methods. For bedding and pillows, we use a six-cycle wash system call the Esporta. The Esporta is an industrial machine designed to eliminate mold and soot particles from soft goods at larger capacities than consumer washing machines. The Esporta helps with small textile-like items, but it takes a different approach to clean books, wood furniture, and kitchen items. We use a combination of dry sponges, rags, and degreasing agents for delicate and paper-like items and an ultrasonic cleaning system for things like ceramic, plastics, and metals. We pack it out, clean it, and bring it right back for you to use again in no time.  

What if the Cleaning Doesn't Satisfy?

Ozone Generator

The cleaning alone doesn't always finish the job. For more advanced fires and items with a strong smoke smell, more cleaning is necessary. For this, we add an ozone treatment cycle to our process. What is Ozone, you might ask? According to the EPA, Ozone (O3) is a highly reactive gas composed of three oxygen atoms. It is both a natural and manufactured product present in the Earth's upper and lower atmosphere. Sound complicated? Let me simplify it for you. When that third Oxygen molecule is released and attaches itself to items with smoke or mold, it practically eliminates it. So whatever the cleaning agents couldn't get, the Ozone does its job of removing the smell from the item. Ozone, when not handled properly, can be harmful. When used, it is best to run an Ozone machine in an enclosed space and then rightly air it out once the machine is shut off. It is good to stay clear of the area when it's generating Ozone.  

A lot goes into making sure your home and contents stay free of smoke and soot before delivering everything back to you. We want to make sure that we get every bit of odor and soot from every surface, including the insides and backs of furniture and drawers. With a process of using a dry sponge, wiping with a damp rag of a degreasing agent, and then finishing with a thorough treatment of Ozone, it is ready to return. 

Is your home affected by smoke from a wildfire? Give us a call to safely clean your items so that you feel comfortable in your own home.