How to Clean Soot Off of Walls

How to Clean Soot Off of Walls

1. Wear Protective Gear

   Before you begin cleaning, put on a pair of safety glasses and a mask to protect yourself from the harmful carbon in soot, rubber gloves to protect your hands from harsh chemicals, and old clothing or protective coveralls to prevent stains on your clothes.

2. Empty the Room or Cover Furniture and Carpets

   As you remove soot from walls and ceilings, some of the particles will become airborne and will settle on upholstered furniture or carpets that can't be easily cleaned. If possible, empty the room of furniture, accessories, and floor coverings. If that is not possible, use tarps or drop cloths to protect everything you don't want to become soot-covered.

3. Ventilate the Room

   Open the windows to provide fresh air. Use circulating fans and turn on venting fans to help draw as many of the soot particulates out of the room.

   Once your cleaning is complete, you will need to change filters or clean the fans to remove soot particles.

4. Vacuum the Walls

   If you have a vacuum with a hose and a dusting brush, you can use it to vacuum away some of the soot particles. This is a delicate operation because soot can smear.

   Start at the top of the wall and hold the vacuum brush at least one-half inch from the wall or ceiling surface to capture loose soot particles and dust. Do not make contact with the wall or smearing can occur.

   Warning

   No matter what method you use to remove soot stains, if they are located above your head, always use a sturdy step stool or ladder to reach them. Work slowly and move the ladder frequently to prevent falls.

5. Use a Dry Cleaning or Soot Sponge

   Specialty sponges for removing soot go by many names: soot sponge, dry cleaning sponge, chemical sponges. Made of vulcanized rubber, the sponge is extremely effective in grabbing and clinging onto soot to lift it from hard surfaces.

   The sponge will quickly become black as it absorbs the soot. Once the sponge surface is discolored, move to a clean side of the sponge. You can also use a utility knife to cut away a thin layer of the sponge to expose a fresh surface. Never attempt to clean the sponge with water or it will stop working.

   Start with the ceiling and move to the top of the wall and work your way down. Use straight, parallel strokes that overlap slightly. Remember to wipe, not scrub. You are working to grab the soot particles, not smear them around. The sponge may not remove all the staining caused by the soot but will get rid of the loose particulates. Dry cleaning should always be done before moving on to wet cleaning methods.

6. Create a Wet Cleaning Solution

   If there is residual staining on the wall or ceiling, you will need to use a wet cleaning method.

   Trisodium phosphate (TSP) is regarded as the best product for removing soot. While TSP is extremely effective, it should always be used sparingly and as a last resort, so only mix up a small batch of what you need after you have used other methods to remove as much of the soot as possible.

   If it is not available in your area, there are similar soot removers that are phosphate-free (TSP-PF) You can also create a mixture of water and a dishwashing liquid that contains a degreaser.

   • Trisodium phosphate solution: In a bucket, mix two quarts of water with one-half cup powdered trisodium phosphate. Stir to mix well.
   • TSP-PF solution: Follow product label directions for mixing with water.
   • Degreasing dishwashing liquid solution: In a bucket, mix two quarts of water with two tablespoons dishwashing liquid. Stir to mix well.

   Warning

   Always wear protective gloves when working with TSP.

7. Wash the Ceiling and Walls

   Use a regular cellulose cleaning sponge for cleaning. Dip it in the solution and wring so it is not dripping.

   Standing on a sturdy ladder, start at the ceiling or top of the wall and work your way down. Rinse and wring the sponge out frequently. Mix a fresh cleaning solution as the water turns black from the soot.

8. Rinse and Dry the Surfaces

   To make sure that the ceiling and walls are as clean as can be, dip a clean sponge in fresh water. Wring until just damp and wipe down the surfaces. Finish by drying the ceilings and walls with a lint-free microfiber cloth.

   Tip

   If you plan to paint the freshly cleaned walls, wait at least 24 hours before you begin to be sure that the walls are completely dry.

9. Remove Protective Materials and Vacuum

   Remove the drop cloths and tarps from the room and use a vacuum to clean the floors. Dispose of the vacuum bag carefully or empty the dust cup in a well-ventilated area to prevent the inhalation of the soot particles.

Tips to Keep Soot of the Walls and Clean Longer

• Keep candles away from the walls and away from drafts. Put them on coffee tables or dining tables instead.
• Use unscented candles instead of scented candles which tend to produce more soot.
• Trim the wicks of a new candle to 1/4 inch, as a candle that burns a steady flame rather than a flickering one produces less soot.
• Make sure your fireplace is vented properly.