The first step is inspection and assessment. Ash and smoke residues can settle in many places, including carpets, furniture, HVAC systems, inside cupboards and drawers, and even stick to vertical surfaces such as walls and windows. A full visual and physical inspection with the use of white foam rubber wedges (cosmetic wedges) can help identify surfaces that are contaminated with residues.

After the scope of work has been created and agreed to by the client – and work authorization or contracts signed – one of the first steps is to hang containment barriers in doorways and areas for a more efficient work process and to prevent cross-contamination. Determine the amount of air filtration devices (AFDs) needed for each contained area. If odors are an issue, use a charcoal filter in AFDs along with the pre-filter and HEPA filter.

Start the cleaning process by using a DOP-tested HEPA vacuum. This type of vacuum traps the tiny smoke residue particles and prevents them from spreading into the air. Avoid wiping, sweeping, or blowing ash and residues – this spreads the residues into the airmass making removal more difficult as it can potentially re-contaminate cleaned surfaces.

Next, wet-clean surfaces using a professional cleaning solution made specifically for smoke residues and odors. Walls, cabinetry, floors, counters, wood, plastic, and plastic furnishings, contents, and other hard surfaces can usually be restored by hand-cleaning practices. Softer items like carpet, area rugs, upholstered furnishings, and curtains can be cleaned using specialty cleaning agents and deodorizers. Contaminated soft goods and clothing may need professional attention, or the use of sub-contractors.

If the heating or air conditioning system (HVAC) was running during the fire, smoke and ash may have gotten inside. In that case, it’s important to clean or replace air filters and consider having the duct system cleaned by a trained HVAC technician.

In some homes, cleaning isn’t enough, and odors may remain. Deodorizing tools such as thermal foggers that release odor-neutralizing vapors can be used. These methods help reach deep into surfaces and remove smells that regular cleaning can’t reach. Get a little training before thermal fogging. Over-application can be dangerous or damage surfaces.

Fire damage restoration can be challenging, and while this article covers the basics, there’s so much more to learn! Some jobs require special tools, advanced training, and certification to be done safely and effectively. If you're already doing this kind of work—or thinking about it—I’d love to help you take the next step. Whether it’s answering a quick question or helping you find the right class, feel free to reach out.

I’m Jessika James, President of CFI, an IICRC Triple Master and approved IICRC FSRT instructor. You can always contact me at President@CFIConnects.org for advice or support. I’m here to help!

Homeowners who have rentals, AirB&B’s, ADU’s, and even commercial sites, can be a welcomed resource for the small business or single truck owner to provide his or her cleaning services.

Smoke odors linger—and so does the damage. Whether from traditional cigarettes, cigars, or modern vaping devices, smoke seeps into carpet fibers, upholstery, area rugs, and even subflooring. For homeowners, Airbnb hosts, and landlords, a lingering odor can mean poor reviews, lost bookings, or costly turnover delays.

As professional carpet cleaners, we’re on the front lines of indoor air quality. Here’s your go-to guide to removing tobacco and e-cigarette smoke from carpets, textiles, and the indoor environment.

According to the ANSI/IICRC S700, Standard for Professional Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration:

In the cleaning and restoration industry, successful odor control is never about covering odors with perfumes—it’s all about neutralizing and removing the source. Whether you’re restoring a smoke-damaged AirBnB, removing tobacco residue from rental units, or treating carpets in residential homes, the process must follow a systematic and science-backed approach.

The ANSI/IICRC S100 Standard for Professional Cleaning of Textile Floor Coverings outlines a four-step odor removal process. Each step builds on the last—and skipping one risks leaving behind stubborn odors that come back stronger with time or temperature change.

In order to accomplish our goals as cleaners and indoor environmentalists, first things first: locate the source. Are we talking about a person who’s lived in an apartment for 20 years and never moved out and smoked three packs of cigarettes a day? Or are we talking about a person who lived in the house for three months in a short-term lease, who was an occasional smoker?

The first scenario is a complete restoration: washing down walls with proper cleaning agents specialized for cigarette smoke and/or cannabis. This process is more than likely going to call for the replacement of the carpet, with the last step of thermal fogging and/or vapor charge of the unit or dwelling.

For basic, mid-range, or light tobacco smoke, the process will start with your basic cleaning: pre-inspection, pre-vacuuming, and adding to your pre-spray the proper cleaning and emulsifying agents that will eliminate and remove smoke odors from soft surfaces, such as the carpet fibers, followed with dry fogging of the property or dwelling.

Nine times out of ten, if you follow the standard of cleaning and find the source, you can remove the odor permanently.

MEET THE EXPERTS featuring host Bryan O'Haleck and special guest Katie Reuther from Pettijohn's Rug Cleaning! The topic, The Wonderful World of Upholstery Cleaning, will be covering essential upholstery cleaning techniques, industry best practices, and expert insights that will improve your cleaning skills, and customer service, and make you bigger profits! This webinar will be released for viewing on July 2nd.

Free for non-members for 14 days

Members: Watch anytime in the Webinar Library starting July 2nd

Are you thinking about adding area rug cleaning to your list of services? Join host Nate Seward and his panel of successful business owners, Mark Morris, Dave Nichols, and CFI Emerita Charlene Locke as they share their tips on how to grow your company by adding this lucrative and highly profitable service!

Free for non-members for 14 days

Members: Watch anytime in the Webinar Library starting August 6th