How to Remove Smoke Stains: Tips and Guidelines

Smoke is serious business, whether it's the result of a burned dinner or a house fire. Follow these tips to remove any trace from your household surfaces.

The first step in removing smoke stains is to identify the stained material.

Below are the most common types of materials that can become smoke-stained, with steps on how to remove smoke from each:

Non-washable fibers such as Acetate, Carpet (synthetic or wool), Fiberglass, Rayon, Silk, Triacetate or Wool
Washable fibers such as Acrylic Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Modacrylic, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester or Spandex
Hard surfaces such as Acrylic Plastic, Alabaster, Asphalt, Cork, Glass, Linoleum, Marble, Paint (flat or gloss), Plexiglas, Polyurethane, Vinyl Clothing or Vinyl Wallcovering
Masonry such as Bluestone, Brick, Masonry Tile, Sandstone, Slate, Terrazzo
Leather or Suede
Wood

Non-washable Fibers

Follow these steps to remove smoke stains from Acetate, Carpet (synthetic or wool), Fiberglass, Rayon, Silk, Triacetate, Wool:

Note: Fabrics or carpets that are heavily stained should be laundered or professionally cleaned.

For light stains, flush the method of applying stain remover to loosen staining material and residue from stain removers) the area with a dry-cleaning solvent, taking care not to spread the stain.
Apply a dry spotter and cover with an absorbent pad dampened with the dry spotter.
Check the stain every 5 minutes.
Before changing pads, press firmly against the stain.
Continue the alternate soaking and pressing until no more stain is being lifted.
Flush again with the dry-cleaning solvent and allow to dry.
If any stain remains, try applying a wet spotter with a few drops of ammonia added (do not use ammonia on silk or wool).
Cover with an absorbent pad dampened with the wet spotter.
Let it stand as long as any stain is being lifted.
Flush well with water.
Repeat if necessary; allow to dry.

Washable Fibers

Follow these steps to remove smoke stains from Acrylic Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Modacrylic, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, Spandex:

Note: Fabrics that have a smoke residue from a fire are best laundered or professionally cleaned.

If the stain is small or laundering immediately is not possible, flush it with a dry-cleaning solvent such as Afta Cleaning Fluid.
Apply a dry spotter to the stain and cover with an absorbent pad dampened with the dry spotter.
Check the stain often, tamping (the method of bringing a brush down with light strokes on stained durable fabrics and materials) before changing pads.
Continue alternate soaking and tamping until the stain is removed.
Flush with one of the dry-cleaning solvents and allow to dry.
If the stain remains, try the same procedure with a wet spotter and a few drops of ammonia.
Be sure to flush the area well when the stain is lifted.
Allow to dry and launder as soon as possible.

Hard Surfaces

Follow these steps to remove smoke stains from Acrylic Plastic, Alabaster, Asphalt, Cork, Glass, Linoleum, Marble, Paint (flat or gloss), Plexiglas, Polyurethane, Vinyl Clothing, Vinyl Wallcovering:

Wipe the stained area with a cloth dipped in warm sudsy water.
Rinse well with clear water and wipe dry with a clean cloth.

Masonry

Follow these steps to remove smoke stains from Bluestone, Brick, Masonry Tile, Sandstone, Slate, Terrazzo:

If stain is small, erase as much smoke as possible with an art gum eraser.
Mix 1/2 cup powdered all-purpose cleaner in 1 gallon water and rub the stain with a sponge dipped in the solution.
Rinse well to remove all chemicals and allow to dry.

Leather or Suede

Follow these steps to remove smoke stains from leather or suede:

For light stains, mix a solution of mild soap in lukewarm water.
Swish to create a great volume of suds.
Apply only the foam with a sponge to the smoke residue.
Wipe the area dry with a clean, dry, soft cloth.
On leather only, follow with Tannery Vintage Leather Cleaner & Conditioner or Fiebing's Saddle Soap to condition the leather.

Wood

Follow these steps to remove smoke stains from wood:

Wipe the stained surface with a cloth dampened with a solution of mild sudsy water.
Rinse well with clear water and wipe it dry immediately, as water will damage most finishes.
Polish or wax as soon as possible.