The average amount of time it will take for you to eliminate smoke and ash from your home could be cleaning each day for 1 full week.

Smoke Damage
Smoke damage occurs in homes nearest wild land fires. It is a costly and time-consuming process to restore your home to its original state.

Before cleaning be sure to wear protective gear such as respiratory protectors as well as eye protection and rubber gloves.
Clean walls with a specialized dry rubber sponge. Oftentimes homeowners following a fire overlook damage to walls caused by excessive smoke.
Use a clean white rag to test if you have smoke damage on walls. Brush lightly in a straight downward motion. If you have smoke damage, you will see black soot on the cloth.
You can purchase a dry rubber sponge at Professional Restoration. These sponges are designed to clean soot, ash and smoke damage without smearing latex paint. You should also use them if you have wood paneling. They are not costly. The number of sponges you need depends upon the amount of soot and smoke in home.
Use dry sponge on latex paint. Semi-gloss or gloss can be washed with a clean rag and soap and water using the same process as you would a dry sponge.
Clean walls from top to bottom with straight strokes not circular motions. Circular motions will smear the soot. Use straight strokes for both Latex and Semi-Gloss paint.
Wash down all the walls and ceilings, as this will eliminate the damage caused by excessive smoke buildup. Every square inch will need to be cleaned.
Purchase a cleaning solvent with degreasing properties. Use the degreaser on counter tops, flat surfaces and cabinets.
If you have wood cabinets or walls, after cleaning you should apply a wood creme.
Closed spaces such as cupboards, drawers and cabinets can be filled with ash, soot and smoke damage even if they were closed. You will need to clean these areas in order to eliminate the smell of smoke.

Black Ash and Soot
Homes near wild land fires will be covered in ash and soot. Sometimes you may also find the outside of homes covered in slurry depending upon how close the fire came to the home and the operations of firefighters in defending the property.

Cover the carpet and upholstered furniture before you clean it with an old sheet or plastic. Oil from your hands can set in the soot and create a stain. You can also prevent further tracking of soil throughout the homes carpets.
Vacuum carpet, drapes and all upholstered items in your home. It is important to remember that you should not touch your upholstered items with your bare hands. Oil from your hands can mix with the soot and create a permanent stain.
If you have an air duct system, be sure to turn it off. Soot and ash can accumulate within the ducts and further spread ash and soot into the home. Replace your furnace filter/air-conditioning filter immediately. You will also need to have the ducts cleaned.
Clean all other filters such as ones found in the vent hood over stoves and microwaves. Also you'll need to clean the coils on the back of your refrigerator.
Use caution while cleaning windows. Soot and ash can scratch the glass. Use soft rags and soapy water first.
Check your electronic equipment. If it is covered in soot with soot and ash, you should consult a professional and have it thoroughly checked.

Cleaning Clothes

All clothes in the home at the time of the fire will need to be laundered. For best results, add a cup of vinegar to every load of laundry to eliminate the smoke odor.

Dry clean items damaged by smoke with a reputable dry cleaner, which specializes in cleaning smoke and ash from clothes.

Vehicles

Clean all filters in automobiles left at the home during the fire.

Wash the exterior of the car as soon as possible. The soot and ash can damage the paint.

Food

If you left food uncovered or in an unsealed container, do not eat. These food items will be contaminated.

Deodorizing Home
Only a good cleaning will eliminate odors from your house. Incense and deodorizers are only cover-ups. The smell of smoke will return following their use.

IF ANY OF THESE CLEANING PROCEDURES IS NOT WORKING FOR YOU, STOP! CALL A PROFESSIONAL IMMEDIATELY.

If you plan to involve your insurance carrier, be sure to photograph the visible smoke and ash damage prior to cleaning.

One final note: Depending upon how much burned timber surrounds your home, even the best cleaning job will not remove all the soot and odor. Recontamination can occur from the outdoors for some time.

You can call Professional Restoration at (303) 922 4001 if you have any further questions or e-mail them to info@prorestoration.com.