Carbon-based products produce soot when they are not completely burned. Fireplaces are a frequent cause of soot on painted walls, particularly if the fireplace lacks adequate ventilation or if a gas fireplace’s burners are clogged. Since soot leaves behind a tenacious film, cleaning it off the wall can be challenging. You can also try some wall cleaning tips from the internet. You can end up with more of a mess if you try to remove soot incorrectly. However, it is possible to remove soot from walls, and all you need is a particular sort of sponge and some simple cleaning supplies.
How to remove soot
Wear protective gear
Put on rubber gloves to protect your hands from harsh chemicals, safety glasses and a mask to protect yourself from the toxic carbon in soot, old clothing or protective coveralls to prevent stains on your clothes before you start cleaning. Make sure the room has adequate airflow before beginning any soot cleanup procedures. Open the vents, turn on the fans in the room, and open the windows nearby. If you are immune-compromised or do not wish to risk your health, you can always hire a good house cleaning service for help.
Vacuum the residue
Vacuuming up all of the dust is the first step in removing soot marks. The purpose of this is to remove dust and other debris that could cause wood, walls, and ceilings to be scratched during cleaning. Working downward is always preferable so that the soot won’t accumulate on surfaces you’ve already cleaned. The hose of the vacuum should not be rubbed against the stain, even if you want to get it as close to the soot as you can.
Use a soot sponge
Soot sponges, dry cleaning sponges, and chemical sponges are all terms used to describe speciality sponges used for eliminating soot. The sponge, which is made of vulcanized rubber, is very good at grabbing and holding to soot to pull it off of hard surfaces. The sponge will immediately turn black as it absorbs the soot. Once the sponge surface has been stained, switch to the clean side of the sponge. Never try to clean the sponge with water; else, it won’t work.
Use dish soap
Combine two tablespoons of a good degreasing dish soap in half a gallon of hot water. Dip the sponge in the cleaning solution of soapy water, then wring out the extra liquid. Use the sponge to remove the soot residue, making sure to rinse and wring it out as necessary. To remove the soapy residue, wet the sponge with fresh water. Dry the wall surface using a fresh towel.
Commercial soot cleaner
If you want to clean the soot from the walls, you can use a commercial soot remover designed especially for them. To be sure the cleaner won’t harm or discolour the paint, test it first on a hidden area of the wall. Apply the cleaner to the sooty area using a sponge or a microfiber cloth. Gently clean after wringing away the extra water. Once the soot has been removed, wipe the walls with water before drying them.