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The Most Effective Steps for bringing fresher scents back into your space.

After enduring a fire in your home or business, the last thing you need is a reminder of the tragedy. Although removing the smell of smoke damage is challenging, it’s possible. Below, we look at the most effective steps for bringing fresher scents back into your space.

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How To Get Rid of the Smell of Smoke Damage

After a fire, the lingering smell is often the most difficult part of the experience to deal with, because smoke particles seep into any porous surface. Smoke particles are smaller than microscopic bacteria when a fire burns wood, which allows the smell to enter almost any surface.

Call a Professional for Removing Dangerous Soot

If soot remains in the space, please contact a professional for cleanup. Soot contains residue from plastics, chemicals, and other harmful materials that can be very dangerous to expose yourself to or handle. Make sure to wear head-to-toe protective gear, including a respirator and gloves, if you choose to clean soot yourself.

Air It Out

Open up all windows and doors to allow fresh air to move into every room. Encourage airflow by placing fans throughout the area. Do not use your central air or furnace during the cleanup, as this may circulate harmful soot.

Clean or Replace All Fabric

Fabric items will retain the smell of smoke more than anything else. Wash anything that will fit in the washer, including clothing, rugs, pillows, curtains, and blankets. Have your furniture professionally cleaned. Sometimes leaving baking soda on carpet overnight will draw the smell out of it. For excessive smoke, you may need to replace the carpet.

Scrub Hard Surfaces

Use products like rubbing alcohol, vinegar, wood cleaner, and commercial degreaser to scrub all hard surfaces. Doors, countertops, cabinets, windows and windowsills, light fixtures, and all other hard surfaces are susceptible to smoke smells after a fire.

Need Help? Call a Professional

Smoke damage is a difficult task that many people don’t have time for in the aftermath of a tragic event. Let our quick and efficient professional crew remove the evidence of smoke for you. We provide 24-hour emergency service for all your cleanup needs. Contact us today at RainFire Restoration in Midvale, UT, to remove smoke odor from your home or business.

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Why Choose RainFire Restoration?

When it comes to fire damage and smoke remediation, you need a team you can trust. At RainFire Restoration, we bring years of experience and a commitment to excellence to every project. Here’s what sets us apart:

  • Expert Technicians: Our team is trained in the latest fire damage and smoke odor removal techniques.
  • Comprehensive Services: From cleaning and deodorizing to structural repairs, we handle every aspect of restoration.
  • Advanced Equipment: We use state-of-the-art tools and treatments to ensure your home is safe and odor-free.
  • Customer-Centric Approach: We’re here to support you every step of the way, providing clear communication and compassionate service.

Final Thoughts

A lingering smoke odor is more than just an inconvenience—it’s a warning sign that your home may still harbor harmful particles and hidden damage. At RainFire Restoration, we’re dedicated to helping you eliminate these risks and restore your home to a safe, comfortable environment.

If you’re struggling with smoke odors or fire damage, don’t wait to take action. Call us today at (385) 336-7246. Let my team and I help you breathe easier and reclaim your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Smoke damage isn’t just a surface smell — tiny smoke particles embed into porous materials like fabrics, drywall, and carpets, making odors and residue very difficult to remove without proper techniques. Smoke particles can be smaller than bacteria, which allows them to penetrate deeply into surfaces and fabrics.

Why it matters:

  • Simply airing out your home or using air fresheners won’t eliminate the smell because the particles are trapped inside materials.

  • Professional methods are designed to remove residues at the source, not just mask odors

Many people ask if smoke cleanup is a DIY job. Minor smoke smells, and very light residue may be addressed by homeowners with proper precautions, but:

  • Soot contains toxic residues from plastics, chemicals, and building materials that can pose health risks.

  • In many cases, professional cleanup is safer and more effective because it uses specialized tools and techniques that reach deep into materials.

When to call a pro:
✔ Severe smoke odor
✔ Smoke infiltration in HVAC systems
✔ Extensive soot residue
✔ You care about saving contents and structural surfaces

Professional smoke remediation — like that offered by RainFire Restoration — usually involves multiple steps beyond basic cleaning:

  • Ventilation and air exchange to bring fresh air in

  • Specialized cleaning of fabrics, walls, and hard surfaces using industry-grade cleaners

  • Advanced deodorization methods (e.g., ozone generators, thermal fogging, or hydroxyl generators) to neutralize odors at the molecular level

  • HEPA air scrubbers to clear fine particles from the air and HVAC systems

These methods help ensure the odor and residues are eliminated, not temporarily covered up.

This is one of the most frequent questions people ask after smoke exposure: What can be salvaged?

  • Washable fabrics (clothes, linens) can often be cleaned if done soon after exposure.

  • Furniture and upholstery can be deep-cleaned by professionals.

  • Hard non-porous items like glass, metal, and ceramics often survive if cleaned correctly.

  • Certain items with heavy soot penetration, especially porous materials or deeply contaminated goods, may need replacement.

General guidance:
If the item still emits smoke odor after cleaning or is structurally compromised, replacement may be safer.

Timeframes vary widely depending on severity:

  • Light smoke exposure can usually be addressed within a few days with proper cleaning and ventilation.

  • Moderate to heavy smoke damage — where odor and soot have penetrated deeply — can take several days to weeks of professional remediation

Safety note:
Until proper cleanup is completed, lingering smoke particles can affect air quality and potentially impact health. Many professionals advise against relying solely on airing out, especially if strong odors persist.

author info:

About the Author: Alan Seegrist

Alan Seegrist is the co-founder of RainFire Restoration and a certified restoration expert with over eight years of hands-on experience in water, fire, mold, and smoke damage recovery. Known for his calm leadership and deep technical knowledge, Alan leads with a commitment to quality, compassion, and helping Utah families rebuild after disaster. His insights reflect real-world experience restoring over 1,000 homes and guiding clients through every step of the recovery process.
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