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Steps to Save Smoke Damaged Walls
Smoke-damaged walls can be challenging to restore, whether they’re the result of a house fire or burning candles. The damage can include black marks and discolouration, which can be unsightly and tough to remove. And unfortunately, simply adding another coat of paint won’t fix the problem. Saving smoke-damaged walls involves a rigorous cleaning and priming process, too.
This guide will take you through the steps to improve smoke damage to walls, ceilings and furniture. It will cover:
Read on to learn more about smoke damage restoration in the home.
What causes smoke damage?
Smoke damage has several causes, including burning candles and smoking cigarettes in the house. Chemicals in cigarettes, such as nicotine, can stain any surface in the home that is exposed to smoke, including walls, ceilings and floors. Due to the damage it causes, prolonged smoking indoors can reduce a property’s value.
Candles emit soot when they burn, which collects on furniture, walls and electrical fittings. Over time, this can lead to discolouration and damage to your home’s interior.
How to spot smoke damage on walls and ceilings
Wondering how to spot candle and cigarette smoke damage to walls? Here are the key signs to look out for.
Soot-stained areas
One of the telltale signs is soot-stained surfaces. These stains are often greasy and can be identified as black or yellowing streaks. They are generally easier to spot on light-coloured walls.
Dust
Cooled soot can result in black dust, which settles on surfaces such as walls, ceilings and furniture. It can be particularly greasy and difficult to deal with.
An unpleasant smell
Another sign of smoke damage is an unpleasant smell on any surface with which smoke has come into contact. This odour can linger in the room if it is not addressed.
How to clean smoke damage
Looking for smoke damage cleaning tips? Follow our advice below on how to clean walls, ceilings and furniture, and read our helpful stain guide for more information.
Ventilate the house
The first step is to ventilate the house by opening all the windows. It’s important to get as much fresh air flowing through the rooms as possible. Ensure you’re wearing suitable protective clothing when cleaning, as soot and smoke damage can be dangerous when inhaled. This includes:
Long-sleeved clothing
A mask
Safety gloves
Safety goggles
Walls and ceilings
Before cleaning smoke damage on walls and ceilings, remove any furniture from the room. Then, vacuum any soot particles on the floor and use the brush and hose attachments on your vacuum cleaner to remove particles from the walls and ceilings. After that, lay a plastic sheet on the floor for protection.
Dry cleaning sponge
Wondering how to clean candle smoke off walls and ceilings? The best method is to use a dry cleaning sponge. These sponges lift and absorb residue. Soot can smear, so you should never use water on the walls or ceilings before using a dry cleaning sponge.
For best results, wipe the sponge against the surface using a vertical downward motion. The sponge can quickly become dirty, so remember to replace it with a fresh one when required.
Degreaser
After that, apply degreaser to the walls and ceilings using a clean cloth. Even if one of the walls has no signs of smoke damage, it’s still important to give it a wipe-down. Use the same downward vertical cleaning motion you used with the dry cleaning sponge. When the cloth gets dirty, rinse it out in a bucket of hot water or use a new one.
Then, use a clean cloth and water to rinse the walls and ceilings, and a towel to dry the surfaces thoroughly.
Furniture
Wooden furniture
Use the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to remove soot from the furniture. Then, grab a dry cleaning sponge to remove any deeply engrained soot, taking care to wipe along the grain
Take a damp cloth and gently wipe over the furniture
Let it fully dry before applying a wood conditioner or polisher
Fabric furniture
If possible, move fabric furniture into an outdoor space to clean
Vacuum the furniture with a flat brush attachment
After that, sprinkle baking soda over the fabric and leave for 24 hours. Vacuum the residue and repeat this step. Smoke odours are notorious for clinging onto fabric and can be tricky to clean
Machine-wash removable covers using cold water and dry them outside
If these steps don’t work, the furniture may need to be reupholstered
Leather furniture
Use the vacuum cleaner’s flat brush attachment to clean the soot, holding it just above the surface to prevent scratching
Then, wipe the surface with a soft cloth and leather soap
Clean with a vinegar and water mixture, and rinse the furniture with a damp cloth
Can you paint over smoke-damaged walls?
It is possible to paint over smoke-damaged walls. However, you shouldn’t apply paint straight over smoke stains, as doing so won’t cover them up. Start by removing stains with a dry cleaning sponge, followed by a wet cleaning method. Then, apply a durable primer to the walls to prevent the stains from showing through.
After that, you’re ready to paint!
The best paint to cover smoke damage
Looking for the best paint to cover smoke damage? Choose a self-priming paint which provides a good level of coverage.
Zinsser Perma-White Interior Matt
The Zinsser Perma-White Interior Matt Paint is self-priming and provides a washable, stain-resistant finish. It's also resistant to cracking and peeling for up to seven years before first maintenance. It’s available in matt and satin finishes to suit your preference.
How to paint smoke-damaged walls
Read on for our effective two-step process for painting smoke-damaged walls.
Priming the walls
It’s essential to prime the walls before painting. Choose a primer specially formulated to block smoke stains and prevent them from showing through. We recommend the Zinsser Cover Stain primer and sealer or the Zinsser Bullseye 1-2-3, both of which work brilliantly on stains. Apply with a paintbrush.
Once you’ve applied the primer, examine the walls for any signs of the stains showing through. Wait around two hours before applying a second coat.
Painting the walls
Apply your chosen paint to a small section and assess stain visibility. If you can still see the stains, apply another coat of primer to the entire wall. Once you’re happy with the coverage, use a paintbrush to coat the wall evenly. Leave to dry for around two hours before moving on to the second coat.
For helpful tips on how to paint walls and ceilings, watch our video below:
Tips to prevent smoke damage on walls
If you don’t want to deal with smoke damage on walls, you can take several preventative measures.
Only smoke outdoors
To prevent your walls from accumulating nicotine stains, only smoke outdoors, away from the house. Keep any clothes that smell of smoke in a covered laundry basket, too.
Ventilate the house
Stop smoke from becoming trapped indoors by ventilating the house. Keep windows and doors open to let fresh air flow freely.
Use high-quality candles
If you want to burn candles in the home, refrain from buying poor-quality candles that may cause smoke damage. Poor-quality candles tend to burn less efficiently, which results in more soot being produced. This soot then settles on walls, ceilings and furniture in the home.