How to clean smoke damage on walls and ceiling

Question

Seems to be some yellowing and dark marks left after a small fire. Some areas look surface-level but others seem baked in, so what do I do here?

Chijioke · Answer

I will start with dry cleaning by using vacuum cleaners and brush. Then light cleaning with warm water and soap.

Joey · Answer

I clean smoke damage from walls and ceilings using eco-friendly methods that are safe for both people and the environment. 
First, I remove loose soot with a dry microfibre cloth or vacuum with a soft brush attachment to prevent smearing. 
I then clean the surface using a natural solution made from warm water, white vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, and eco-friendly washing-up liquid to break down smoke residue and nicotine stains.
 The area is wiped gently in sections and dried with clean cloths to avoid streaking. 
Finally, I help neutralise lingering smoke odours using natural deodorisers such as bicarbonate of soda and ventilation. This approach effectively removes smoke residue while avoiding harsh chemicals.
Joey @ Eco Clean Exeter

Rhys · Answer

Hey!

Making an assumption that you've removed as much dry soiling as possible (hoover, dusting etc) as any liquids on top of soot / ash will make things worse.

A few items to try:

Mild Solution

-  Sugar soap or a mixture of warm water and dish soap. If this isnt working you can try a stronger solution such as;

- TSP (trisodium phosphate) Mix 1 TSP into a gallon of warm water. TSP is highly effective at cutting through the greasy film left by smoke. Wearing rubber gloves and goggles, wet a sponge in the TSP solution. Working one section a time, wipe wall/ceiling vigorously with the sponge, then rinse thoroughly with a new cloth and clean water. Continue until entire area has been washed and rinsed. You may have to repeat the wash/rinse several times, depending upon the severity of the soot buildup and charring. Be careful not to over saturate your walls, or let the water seep between your walls and baseboards, or you may cause damage to the drywall.

Finally, use a stain blocking primer before painting. Always found BIN Zinniser to be excellent.

Helen · Answer

Start by dry-cleaning the surface: use a vacuum with a brush attachment or a dry (chemical) sponge to gently remove loose soot without smearing it. Next, prepare a mild cleaning solution using warm water and a few drops of dish soap; for stronger residue, add a little vinegar or baking soda, or use a degreaser like sugar soap. Using a soft sponge, wipe the walls and ceiling in small sections, working from top to bottom. Avoid soaking the surface—keep the sponge damp, not wet. Rinse with clean water as you go. To tackle lingering smoke odour, ventilate the room well and place bowls of vinegar or baking soda around to absorb smells. If stains remain after cleaning, apply a stain-blocking primer before repainting to prevent them from bleeding through. Always test a small hidden area first and wear gloves and a mask for protection.

Mary · Answer

Dry cleaning sponges (also called chemical sponges) are effective at lifting loose soot particles without smudging
Mild dish soap mixed with warm water can help remove lighter smoke stains and surface residue
White vinegar solutions assist in breaking down oily soot residue and neutralising odors

Armands · Answer

Clean, seal stains with Zinsser BIN Primer Sealer, repaint.

Thusi · Answer

Cleaning the surface..smoke damage area then repaint two times

Alexandru · Answer

To clean smoke damage from walls and ceilings, start with dry cleaning first. Use a vacuum with a brush attachment or a dry soot sponge to remove loose soot without smearing it.

Next, clean the surface with a mild solution of warm water and a small amount of dish soap (you can also add a bit of white vinegar). Use a damp (not wet) cloth or sponge and gently wipe—don’t scrub too hard.

For tougher, greasy stains, use a degreaser like sugar soap or a TSP-based cleaner. This helps remove yellowing and smoke residue that’s stuck to the surface.

If stains are still visible after cleaning, they are likely embedded in the paint. In that case, you’ll need to apply a stain-blocking primer, then repaint the area. This prevents the stains from bleeding through.

If the smell or staining is very strong or widespread, consider professional cleaning.

Terry · Answer

Use a hoover with a brush attachment to gently remove loose soot Or wipe lightly with a dry chemical sponge .
👉 This prevents smearing the soot deeper into the paint.

Clean Light to Moderate Stains. For yellowing or light soot:
Mix Warm water, a little bit of washing-up liquid.

Best way to use this is, Use a sponge or cloth (damp), Wipe in straight lines (don’t scrub in circles) Rinse with clean water and dry. 3

To Tackle Greasy / “Baked-In” Smoke, if it looks sticky, dark, or won’t budge
Try one of these Sugar soap (stronger concentration) White vinegar + warm water (cuts odor too) A degreaser cleaner (kitchen-type)

Always Test a small hidden area first—some paints can fade.

When Stains Won’t Come Out and if marks remain after cleaning (very common):
That means the smoke has penetrated the paint.

Bethan · Answer

-I hoover any soot and then go over with a microfibres cloth to remove the excess.
-I then go in with a damp microfibre cloth and a bit of dish soap
-For yellowing and dark spots, I either use elbow grease as this works like a charm or use pink stuff  bar keepers friend liquid.
This seems to do the trick especially for the yellowing and dark areas that are stubborn

How to clean smoke damage on walls and ceiling

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