When a fire ravages your home, it doesn’t just damage the structure. It also leaves soot, smoke, and other debris that can discolor and damage your wood floors. Depending on the damage’s severity, you may do a DIY cleaning or call professionals, such as this fire damage restoration in Phoenix, AZ.
When the damage is not severe, you might be tempted to replace your floors, but there are ways to revive your wood floors after a fire. This article will give you a few helpful tips on how to clean and revive your wood floors after a fire:
Wear safety gear.
Protecting yourself from harmful chemicals and debris is essential when dealing with fire damage. Wear gloves, a face mask, and other protective gear when cleaning your floors for your safety.
Sweep or vacuum the floor to eliminate any soot or debris.
Before cleaning, you should remove as much soot and debris from the floor as possible. Otherwise, you’ll push the soot around and make it harder to clean.
Use a damp mop or cloth to scrub the floor lightly.
Never use too much water, as this can damage the wood. Instead, focus on lightly scrubbing the floor with a damp mop or cloth.
Use a paintbrush to clean hard-to-reach areas.
A paintbrush can help you get into hard-to-reach areas, like corners and crevices. You can also use the corner tip of a razor blade to scrape away smaller specks of damage.
Use a specifically designed cleaner for wood floors.
There are different cleaners on the market that are specifically designed for wood floors. Read the labels carefully to find one that will work best for your type of flooring.
In addition, it’s important to be aware of your house’s type of wood floor and how to clean it properly. Below are some of these types and the recommended cleaning method:
- Hardwood Floors: You can use a damp mop or cloth to scrub these floors lightly. However, avoid using too much water, which can damage the wood. Instead, focus on lightly scrubbing the floor with a damp mop or cloth.
- Laminate Floors: These floors are more delicate and require special care when cleaning. Avoid using harsh cleaners or scrubbing too aggressively, as this can damage the laminate. You may use a mild cleaner and a soft cloth to gently wipe the floor.
- Vinyl Floors: These floors are fairly easy to clean and resistant to water or cleaners damage. Sweep or vacuum the floor to eliminate debris, then use a damp mop or cloth to scrub the surface lightly.
- Parquet Floors: These floors are made of individual pieces of wood that are arranged in a specific pattern. When cleaning, use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment to avoid damaging the delicate wood. You may also use a damp mop or cloth to scrub the floor lightly.
Dry the floors thoroughly.
Once you’ve finished cleaning, be sure to dry the floors thoroughly. You can use a hairdryer set on the cool setting, a fan, or open windows to help speed up the drying process.
Apply polish or wax to the floor.
Once you’ve cleaned the floor, you can apply a polish or wax to help protect the surface. Read the labels carefully to find one that will work best for your type of flooring.
Consider calling professionals.
If you have no time or can clean the floors yourself, you may consider hiring a professional fire restoration company. These companies specialize in cleaning and restoring homes after a fire, and they can usually make your floors look new. Click on this link here to learn more about how it works.
About Author
