The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
Unsightly soot on your walls can turn a cozy fireplace night into a mess.
If possible, empty the room of furniture, accessories, and floor coverings.
If not possible, use tarps or drop cloths to protect everything you don’t want to become soot-covered.
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
Ventilate the Room
fire up the windows to provide fresh air.
Once your cleaning is complete, change filters or clean the fans to remove soot particles.
This is a delicate operation because soot can smear.
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
Do not make contact with the wall, or smearing can occur.
Work slowly and move the ladder frequently to prevent falls.
The sponge will quickly become black as it absorbs the soot.
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
Once the sponge surface is discolored, move to a clean side of the sponge.
Start with the ceiling, move to the top of the wall, and work your way down.
Use straight, parallel strokes that overlap slightly.
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
Remember to wipe, not scrub.
You are working to grab the soot particles, not smear them around.
Trisodium phosphate(TSP) is the best product for removing soot.
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
you could also create a mixture of water and a dishwashing liquid that contains a degreaser.
Always wear protective gloves when working with TSP.
Wash the Ceiling and Walls
Use a regular cellulose cleaning sponge for cleaning.
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
Dip it in the solution and wring so it is not dripping.
Rinse and wring the sponge out frequently.
Mix a fresh cleaning solution as the water turns black from the soot.
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
Wring until just damp and wipe down the surfaces.
Finish by drying the ceilings and walls with alint-free microfiber cloth.
Most small soot issues can be handled on your own, but larger accumulations can be hazardous or unhealthy.
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
According to Angi, the average cost for wall cleaning is about $300.
TSP, or trisodium phosphate, is one of the best cleaners for removing soot from the walls.
A little goes a long way.
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
Removing black smoke residue or soot off walls is a several-step process.
Start with vacuuming the walls, move on to dry cleaning, then do wet cleaning with a solution.
Magic Eraser or a melamine sponge works wonders for removing soot from walls.
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
It can be used on walls, cabinets, and ceilings to remove unsightly soot stains.
How much does it cost to wash walls and ceilings.
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
