Smoke damage can devastate a home. Air quality, stains, and destruction of property are just a few of the consequences that smoke damage can leave behind. But if you know what to do, you can alleviate some of the worst damage.

The most common causes of smoke damage are smoking, cooking, electrical malfunctions, and other accidental fires. Each one produces a different type of smoke which requires a unique cleanup strategy.

If you’re dealing with smoke damage in the house, we’ve got you covered.

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has assembled this guide to take you from panic to peace.

This article will cover everything you need to know about smoke damage: how to assess the damage, different types of smoke damage, how to clean smoke damage, and whether insurance will cover it.

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What is considered smoke damage?

Smoke damage is damage caused by smoke, not fire. What’s the distinction? Well, fire usually burns whereas smoke damages. Smoke leaves stains on walls, coats items in soot, and generally stinks everything up. It is particularly damaging to porous items like clothing, linens, furniture, and wood.

You won’t always see big gray smoke marks on the wall since smoke damage isn’t always visible. Tiny particles can get into your walls and adhere to your clothing.

If you’ve had a fire, you should assume that you have some smoke damage—even if you can’t see it.

MORE: Home insurance liability coverage

Most common types of smoke damage

Different types of fire produce different types of smoke. Soot acts differently in each case, so you need to know the source before you can make a plan for cleaning it up.

Wet smoke

Heavy, black plumes are the telltale sign of wet smoke. This type of smoke usually leaves a greasy residue and is very difficult to clean.

You may have wet smoke if you smell burnt rubber or plastic. If the walls feel slimy and it’s difficult to clean them, you probably have wet smoke damage.

Protein smoke

When organic matter is burned, the result is protein smoke. This is usually the result of a kitchen experiment gone wrong.

This type of smoke damage can be difficult to spot. You won’t find any big gray stains or grease marks. Instead, look for signs of paint discoloration and a faintly foul odor.

Fuel smoke

When a fuel like petroleum or oil is burned, the result is fuel smoke. This type of smoke damage is usually found in warehouses or garages that store large amounts of petroleum.

The result of fuel smoke is an awful smell and a thick, sticky residue. If the smoke touches any fabric or upholstery, it’s probably unfixable. Expert help is required to clean up this type of damage.

Dry smoke

Paper and wood can cause dry smoke in a high-temperature fire. The residue leftover by dry smoke is powdery and relatively odor-free.

This type of smoke has its pros and cons. Powdery residue is easier to clean up compared to grease stains. However, powder can slip into the smallest cracks, adhering to wiring and getting into your walls.

MORE: How to get smoke and cigarette smell out of your car

How smoke can damage your home

Smoke can damage the structure of your home in addition to your belongings. Not only do the soot particles smell but they can cause ongoing respiratory problems.

To remove the particles and the odor, you will need professional cleaning with harsh chemicals.

Depending on the source and severity of the damage, some items like clothing and furniture may need to be replaced entirely. Walls and floors (and sometimes wiring and fixtures) may need to be torn down or repainted.

Insurance may cover some of this cost.

Health risks of smoke particles in the home

You should take the health risks of smoke particles very seriously. Here are some of the more common health risks:

Respiratory problems may arise, specifically lung problems. These problems are especially harmful to vulnerable people like those with asthma, the elderly, and children.

Skin problems can be caused by smoke damage. Rashes and itchiness are two key indicators.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur long after the original incident. Look out for symptoms like dizziness and headache caused by residue leftover from the smoke.

Can smoke damage be removed?

Yes, in some situations. For best results, you must act quickly.

It’s wise to hire a team of experts to clean smoke damage after a house fire. You may be able to clean up the visual damage of smoke with a DIY solution, but soot and CO2 could remain without trained help.

Vinegar will not remove soot from your walls, and any remaining particles will put your home—and your family—at risk of even greater injury.

MORE: How to make a counteroffer after a home inspection

How do you remove smoke stains?

Specialists are required to completely remove smoke damage from your home. This process usually requires dry chemical sponges to prevent soot from absorbing even deeper into materials like wood, tile, plaster, and linoleum.

You can buy commercial degreasers from the store. However, there is no guarantee that these products will completely strip the damage. They may only remove the visible stain. If the source was a smoking cast iron pan or a candle smoke stain, a degreaser may do the trick.

How to clean smoke damage

To clean smoke damage, you must act quickly with the appropriate cleaning materials. Even more importantly, you must be prepared to let go of items that are unsalvageable.

Act fast to clean smoke and soot

If you’re concerned about stains on the wall and floor, be aware that you can clean up the stain without removing all the damage. Be thorough. Start with a soot or smoke degreaser—or use dish soap.

Be careful not to damage your walls even further. Abrasive sponges can scrape up your walls. Steam can make the paint bubble and release harmful soot particles into the air.

If you still see a stain or smell an odor after you clean, don’t be afraid to call in the professionals.

What can I salvage?

After smoke damage, a good rule of thumb is to toss out porous materials unless they’re very valuable to you. In this case, get them professionally cleaned.

Hard materials like floors, walls, and metal are generally salvageable unless they’ve been seriously burnt or corroded. To save these items, you will need expert cleaners. After an assessment, they can tell you how to clean, strip, and repair your home so it’s as good as new.

MORE: Home insurance terms you need to know

Contact the experts

If you need professional assistance, look for fire damage remediation or smoke damage restoration experts. Emergency clean-up teams are trained to handle potentially toxic environments. They use specialized tools and skills to ensure that your home is safe.

Note that if you plan to submit a

home insurance claim

, you may wish to wait before hiring cleaners. Some insurance companies have a list of exclusive preferred vendors that will be covered by your policy. Check with your company first.

Does home insurance cover smoke damage?

Yes, it’s likely. Smoke damage is a covered peril which means that most home insurance policies will pay for damages associated with smoke.

Your policy may cover:

Structural damage

Personal property loss or damage

Living expenses associated with loss of use

Medical costs if the smoke damage had health consequences

However, there are some gray areas, and policies differ. Some policies cover replacement costs whereas others cover cleaning. Your policy may require you to hire a specific cleaning service to get reimbursed.

To file a claim, you have to prove qualifying circumstances. You will be denied coverage if you or your negligence caused the smoke. You also have to prove that there is smoke damage. Document all your observations to submit to the company.

Finding good home insurance

While you can’t prevent your neighbors from starting a huge bonfire, you can buy insurance that can help you rebuild your life if the fire spreads to your home.

From accidental fires to storm damage, a good

home insurance

policy can protect you from unforeseen circumstances. It’s cheaper and easier than you think to find a great home insurance policy.

Enter your zip code and coverage needs into the

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FAQs

How long does smoke damage last?

The odor of smoke can remain in materials for months. Even after the smell goes away, harmful soot particles may still be present. It’s best to leave the property for a short time after serious smoke damage to ensure that you don’t inhale anything dangerous.

How to clean smoke damage from painted walls?

Use a soft bristle brush or non-abrasive cleaning pad, like a washcloth. Anything stiff will scrape the paint from the wall. Wet it with water and gentle dish soap or degreaser. Wipe clean after.

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