Quick answer
Effectively removing smoke odour after a fire is challenging because microscopic, harmful particles embed deeply into porous surfaces, posing health risks including respiratory issues and long-term exposure to carcinogens. While DIY efforts like ventilation and surface washing can help, they often only mask the problem, leading to the odour’s return. For complete elimination, professional smoke odour removal is crucial. Experts utilise advanced techniques such as HEPA vacuuming, ozone treatment (or BioSweep), and thermal fogging to chemically neutralise odours at a molecular level. Hiring professionals, typically costing £1,500 to £5,000, ensures thorough, safe, and lasting results, protecting both your property and health.
Lingering smoke odour after a property fire
Smoke odour is more than just an unpleasant smell that lingers in your home after a fire. The lingering smoke odour is caused by the presence of harmful particles generated during the fire and from the smoke. These particles stay on surfaces long after the fire itself has been dealt with. The lingering smoke smell can even persist after you wipe down surfaces and open windows. The heat generated during the initial fire can open pours in surfaces, creating the perfect place for the particles to settle. As the surfaces cool, these pours will shrink back to the original size, trapping the odorous particles.
It’s even more important to understand the impact that smoke odour has on your health and the air quality within your property. The smoke odour that you smell is a result of the particles left behind. These particles are extremely harmful to your health and to your property. Particles that cause the smoke odour are very fine, inhaling them can irritate your respiratory tract. This is especially bad for people that suffer from conditions like:
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Chronic respiratory diseases
- Allergies
Another harmful aspect of smoke odour is the presence of chemicals generate by the initial fire. These chemicals are proven to be carcinogenic, meaning that long-term exposure can increase your risk of developing cancer.
Why does smoke odour persist?
As briefly mentioned, smoke odour is a result of the fire and smoke particles left behind after a fire. Being microscopic in size, these particles can settle in difficult to reach areas and on porous materials. Without expert knowledge and specialist smoke odour removal equipment it can be very difficult and often impossible to remove all traces of these particles.
The cause of the fire can also have an impact on the odour and how difficult it is to remove. Protein fires, which often occur in kitchens, leave behind a greasy residue and a very strong smoke odour. Again, without professional smoke odour removal it is difficult to ensure that your property will be returned to an odour free state.
Furniture
Furniture can be a major source of persistent smoke odour after a fire due to its porous materials and ability to absorb and trap smoke particles. Upholstered furniture, with its fabric coverings and foam padding, acts like a sponge, soaking in soot and lingering odours. Even solid wood furniture is susceptible, as smoke can penetrate cracks, crevices, and varnished surfaces, embedding itself deep within the material. These trapped odours not only compromise indoor air quality but can also re-release harmful toxins over time, prolonging the effects of the fire. Proper professional fire damage cleaning or smoke odour removal is essential to eliminate these odours and restore the furniture to a safe, usable state.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Fires generate volatile organic compounds which often linger long after the event. Over time, VOCs can continue to off-gas, reintroducing the odour into the air, prolonging the unpleasant odour within your property. Professional smoke odour removal techniques, such as thermal fogging or BioSweep treatment, are essential to neutralise VOCs and fully restore air quality.
HEPA Vacuuming: To successfully remove smoke odour from your property it will take a combination of different tools and processes. The first tool to utilise is a HEPA vacuum. HEPA technology is designed to guarantee the capture of microscopic particles. Traditional vacuums and filters are too large to capture these particles and will allow them to pass through and re-enter the airspace. The HEPA vacuum will capture 99.9% of them allowing for the safe capture and removal. Using this piece of equipment on all the surfaces in the affected area will help to remove a large majority of the loose odour causing particulate.
Ozone / BioSweep: Ozone treatment is a proven method to remove smoke odour by breaking down odour-causing particles at the molecular level. Using an ozone generator, it neutralises smoke smells in hard-to-reach areas like carpets, upholstery, and walls. Ideal for fire damage and cigarette odour, this treatment ensures thorough deodorisation, leaving spaces fresh and odour-free.
Thermal Fogging: Thermal fogging is an effective way to remove smoke odour by using a heated fogging machine to release deodorising particles that penetrate deeply into porous surfaces. This method recreates the conditions of smoke to neutralise odour molecules trapped in walls, furniture, and fabrics. This is a very effective method for removing smoke odour and quickly improving the air quality inside of your property.
Can you do DIY odour removal?
Attempting to do smoke odour removal yourself is not recommended but if you do choose to attempt it, here are a few things to do. Start by ventilating the space thoroughly to let fresh air circulate. Wash all washable fabrics, like curtains, bedding, and clothing, with a mix of detergent and baking soda to neutralize smells. Clean hard surfaces, including walls and furniture, with a vinegar-water solution to eliminate smoke residue. For carpets and upholstery, sprinkle baking soda, let it sit for several hours, and vacuum thoroughly. These tips and recommendations will not guarantee you 100% smoke odour removal. Again, it is a much safer choice to hire a professional.
Although hiring a professional service provider may be more expensive in the short term, it will save you a lot of time and money over time. Also, you cannot put a price on your health and wellbeing, a professional service can help protect that.
Preventing smoke odour reoccurrence
The only way to prevent smoke odour reoccurrence is to completely and correctly deal with the issue at the first attempt. Attempts at DIY smoke odour removal does not often solve the problem. Removing the easy to reach particles that settle on walls and other hard surfaces will not put an end to the problem. It may mask it for a short period but over time the particles trapped in your property will release and the strong smoke odour will return.
Instead, immediately looking to hire a reputable professional to carry out the service for you is a better option. Years of experience carrying out the service will ensure that the experts know how to remove the odour causing particles no matter where they may have settled. Professionals also have access to the equipment needed to capture and remove the smoke and fire particles. This equipment may include:
- HEPA vacuums
- Soot sponges
- ULV foggers
- Ozone / BioSweep Technology
Alongside the equipment used to remove the particles, smoke odour removal experts will also use the correct cleaning chemicals. Soot and ash particles are acidic and will corrode surfaces if left untreated over time. Using an alkaline wash during the service will neutralise the acid particles and eliminate the risk posed to your property. In conclusion, the best way to avoid smoke odour reoccurring is to hire a professional with a track record of delivering results.
The cost of smoke odour removal
Smoke odour removal costs will vary depending on a few factors:
- Location of your property
- Extent of the fire and smoke damage
- Size of the affected area
- The number of contents that require cleaning
All these elements are factored into the cost of smoke odour removal services because they greatly affect the amount of time and labour hours needed. Professional smoke odour removal services also utilise specialist equipment to ensure smoke odour neutralisation. Depending on the equipment required to solve your problem, the price of the service can once again vary. However, on average a smoke dour removal service will cost between £1,500 – £5,000. All the factors mentioned above will impact on the price so it should give you a rough idea of what you may need to spend.
What next?
If you have experienced a fire and ongoing secondary damage in the form of prolonged smoke odour, you should contact us today. One of our dedicated customer service team will be able to provide you with all the answers to your questions. Once we gather some information from you, we will also be able to provide you with a free estimate.
Dealing with smoke odour after a fire: Frequently asked questions
What is the most effective way to remove smoke odour after a fire?
The most effective way to remove smoke odour after a fire involves a combination of thorough particle removal (via HEPA vacuuming), and professional chemical neutralisation techniques. These include ozone treatment (or BioSweep), which breaks down odour-causing particles at a molecular level, and thermal fogging, which penetrates porous surfaces to neutralise trapped smoke molecules.
What are the health risks associated with lingering smoke odour from a fire?
Lingering smoke odour is caused by harmful, microscopic particles and carcinogenic chemicals (VOCs). Inhaling these can irritate the respiratory tract, exacerbate conditions like asthma, bronchitis, or allergies, and with long-term exposure, increase the risk of cancer. Protein fires (e.g., from kitchens) can leave particularly strong and hazardous residues.
Can I remove fire smoke smell myself, or do I need professionals?
While DIY methods like ventilation and surface washing with detergents can help reduce initial smoke smell, they often only mask the problem and do not guarantee 100% removal. For complete and permanent elimination of deeply embedded smoke particles and associated health risks, professional smoke odour removal services are strongly recommended. DIY attempts can lead to the odour returning and potentially higher costs later.
What professional techniques are used for fire smoke odour removal?
Professional techniques for fire smoke odour removal include HEPA vacuuming to capture microscopic particles, ozone treatment (or BioSweep) to chemically neutralise odours at a molecular level, and thermal fogging, which uses a heated fog to penetrate porous materials and neutralise trapped smoke. These methods address the root cause of the odour rather than just masking it.
How much does professional fire smoke odour removal cost in the UK?
The average cost for a professional smoke odour removal service in the UK is estimated to be between £1,500 and £5,000. This cost can vary depending on the extent of the damage, the size of the affected area, and the specific equipment and processes required for complete odour elimination.
Why is fire smoke odour so difficult to remove completely?
Fire smoke odour is difficult to remove completely because the intense heat from a fire opens the pores in surfaces, allowing microscopic, odorous particles to settle deep within materials as they cool. These particles, including Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), become trapped and can off-gas over extended periods, making full elimination challenging without specialised equipment.
What initial steps can I take to reduce smoke smell after a fire?
Initially, ventilate the property by opening windows and doors, and use fans to help air circulation. You can also wash washable fabrics with detergent and baking soda, and clean hard surfaces with vinegar-water solutions. However, these are temporary measures and professional intervention is often needed for complete removal.
Tahlia Ibrahim - Delivery Manager
Tahlia has over four and a half years of in-depth experience across various facets of the disaster recovery industry. Having progressed through roles in marketing and sales to her current position, Tahlia possesses a comprehensive understanding of the entire business operation, from initial client contact to meticulous service delivery. A certified BioSweep Specialist, she excels in advanced odour elimination techniques, ensuring thorough restoration.
