How do I get rid of the smell of smoke after a small microwave fire?
I had a small fire in microwave two days ago and the smell of smoke/burning is still very prevalent in the apartment. I have had the windows open for two days also. I've heard vinegar helps with cigarette smoke but not sure about this type of smell. Any suggestions or past expiriences would help! THANKS!
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Assuming you have removed the source (microwave) ....I would recommend wiping down the surrounding area.
Simple fires are fueled by pure fuels and generally result in complete combustion.
Complex fuels, the most common house fire, are fueled by synthetic materials in carpets, furniture, toys, wiring, etc. and generally result in incomplete combustion and the production of soots and acid deposits.
So...........heres my advice
Removable, washable/cleanable items Wash or dry clean, as appropriate, clothing, curtains, bedding, etc. Send area rugs out to be cleaned, or clean as described for carpets below.
Walls: -Wash with ammonia or trisodium phosphate or detergent solution and rinse well. -Apply compound "BIN" (or others which act as both a sealer and a deodorizer). It seals the sooty residue which didn't wash off so it can't bleed through new paint; penetrates into dry wall and seals surface; seals smoky smell in. -Then repaint.
Carpets: Do NOT shampoo. Extract with steam extractor. Hire professional truck-mounted unit, which is many times the horsepower of home rental units.
Lingering Smell: If smoke smell lingers, rent a couple of ozone machines and put around house. They filter, circulate, and purify air. (Ozone is nature's way of purifying air.) Removal of smell is gradual but it works.
Check on commercial air purifying machines to see what they recommend using for removing smoke odors (may vary among brands).
Odor removers such as "Odor Away" and other brands may also help lingering odors.
This video will have one of two results. This repetitious, perfunctory and seemingly pointless act of inhaling smoke may turn you off to smoking ...
