How to remove soot stains from walls

Soot may build up on walls and ceilings even from a small kitchen stove fire, a fireplace that’s poorly ventilated, or a candle that’s burning. Even a little fire in your house can leave soot markings on the walls. Anything that comes into touch with soot will be stained.

Getting rid of soot from candles, fireplaces, or even a house fire demands the use of special processes and tools. Soot’s acidic nature makes it tough to remove from surfaces. Don’t immediately start cleaning since that will just make things worse. So how to get rid of soot stains walls anyway?

Fortunately, there are certain tools, tips, and tricks that can assist you in removing those unsightly black stains. Check below to find it out!!!

What is soot made of

Soot is a thin black or brown powder which might be slightly sticky and is a byproduct of incomplete combustion. It’s also called lampblack or carbon black sometimes. It’s a thin black or brown powder that might be slightly sticky and is a byproduct of incomplete combustion. It’s called lampblack or carbon black often. Black carbon is a major soot component.

As a result of its sticky nature, soot accumulates in exhaust pipes and chimneys where combustion takes place. Soot is the common name for a particular form of particle pollution called PM 2.5. Soot is made up of a wide range of chemicals. Its precise composition changes depending on what’s burned.

The buildup of soot can be a concern. The accumulation of soot in places like chimneys can lead to blocked chimneys that are less effective in extracting smoke. Inefficient usage of fuel or smoky flames might result as an outcome. A chimney fire can start if too much soot is allowed to accumulate. Soot is also a pollutant, and it can have negative impacts on both the environment and human health.

Does soot stains walls

Yes! Soot has a property to stain walls, making them appear dirty, old, and not at all what you’ve wanted your guests to see. As mentioned previously, it can form on walls, the kitchen, cabinets, doors, and many other areas due to fire, smoking, and fireplace with poor ventilation, electric shocks, or even from a burning candle in the room. What’s more problematic is that soot comes with an acidic nature, making it difficult for others to remove it from walls.

If in case someone wants to get rid of it through scrubbing then that’s useless, because it will let the situation get even worse than it already is.

Does soot stains come out from wall

Generally speaking, yes they do come out from a wall but with proper care and maintenance. There are certain things you should be careful from doing such as using a wet brush on the wall, wet gloves, scrubbing, using a wet sponge, wet cloth, etc. all to get rid of soot. To be honest, all these things instead of getting rid of soot will spread it even more on the wall. Therefore, soot can be removed however, there are certain techniques required to be followed to get rid of soot stains without causing further damage to the walls.

What can remove soot stain from walls

There are many ways you can follow to remove soot stains from walls. For example, if you try to brush away soot particles that are too small to see, you run the risk of doing more harm than good. Instead, use the vacuum cleaners nozzle attachment to collect the leftover residue. To remove the stain, dust the area with talcum powder, gently massage it in, and then vacuum it up.

There are ways however people use that they believe can help remove soot stains from walls. But do they work? Well, let’s check out below.

Does vinegar remove soot

Yes! Vinegar is quite effective in removing soot stains off walls; however, only the appropriate kind of vinegar should be used for the job!!! One of the most versatile household cleansers is plain old white vinegar. It not only dissolves greasy soot stains but also removes nicotine traces that were left behind. To remove soot from walls, ceilings, or woodwork, mix 1 part warm water with 3 parts vinegar. Then, gently clean the surfaces with a soft sponge or microfiber cloth.

Note here when cleaning finished wood, don’t leave the vinegar in place for too long. Vinegar stains the surface in a matter of minutes. Also, stay away from vinegar like cider vinegar and red white vinegar, which have stronger flavors and may leave stains on your clothes and other surfaces. White vinegar can be found at supermarket shops and retail stores.

Does sugar soap remove soot

Sugar soaps are good for treating leftover soot stains from the wall, however, must not be directly applied on walls as they will make the situation worse. First, soot should be removed, for example, the use of a dry brush like a makeup brush will help brush off the soot remains on walls, and the leftover stain can be treated with sugar soap. If the brush is not available, the vacuum cleaner is an even better option. Just suck up the soot off from the affected walls and treat the leftover stains with sugar soap.

Using a degreaser, such as sugar soap, together with Trisodium phosphate (TSP) or a citrus cleaner, you can get rid of the residual soot stain. If you only want to use sugar soap, then make a cleaning solution. Simply, mix 3 teaspoons of the sugar soap with 1.9 Liter (1/2 gallon) of water and dap it on the surface required and clean gently.

Does simple green remove soot

Yes! This all-purpose cleaner is suitable to use on latex or oil-based painted walls. It works well to remove unsightly stains from painted surfaces. The best part about simple green is: it leaves no residue behind, making it ideal for use on washable painted surfaces, sealed wood, metals, and plastic. Simply, clean the walls of your soot-affected area with a stiff-bristled brush and Simple Green sprayed on.

Does KrudKutter Remove Soot?

To be honest, KrudKutter is like a father of all cleansers out there!! So yes!! It does remove soot. Cleansers that claim to be “all-purpose” can’t get rid of difficult messes like oil, crayon, and pet stains, which KrudKutter does without damaging surfaces. It even works on dried latex paint and permanent marker. Incredibly effective in removing dried latex paint and permanent marker, too. Crazy right!!

Just brush off or vacuum the affected area, and then spray some KrudKutter. You’ll be surprised.

Does krud kutter remove soot

Yes! Magic eraser is known to remove roots. To remove soot stains from cabinets, ceilings, and walls, you can safely use a Magic Eraser (or a similar alternative). To begin, use a vacuum to remove any loose soot from the walls or ceilings. Second, get some warm water, a magic eraser or sponge, and some TSP solution. The deeply pushed soot into your walls and ceiling will be removed by this cleaning solution.

Does goo gone remove soot

I will not recommend the usage of goo gone on surfaces like walls. It’s because Goo Gone is an oil-based cleanser that is safer to use on painted surfaces, but it leaves an oily film behind and has a strong odor. Also, it’s harmful to drywalls as if used on them, it will make repainting difficult or rough. It’s not something I’d recommend because it will likely ruin any further repainting attempts.

Does TSP remove soot

Yes, it does! TSP is among one of the best solutions which can help remove soot from walls. TSP is a powerful cleaning solution that is frequently used by professional smoke and fire damage cleaning firms to remove oily dirt, smoke, and soot stains. TSP can be available in certain food shops, but it’s more likely to be found at hardware or home improvement stores. To use TSP, mix 1/4-1/2 cup of TSP with 2 gallons of water and clean the brick with a sponge or brush.

As a result of TSP’s strength, it will carry the bulk of your load in cleaning the walls. You’ll just have to use little effort.

Does degreaser remove soot

Yes, it does however, it has some limitations!!! To get rid of oilier, heavier soot streaks, people frequently use a degreaser and other common home cleansers. Degreasers are most effective on painted surfaces and walls, although they also work well on wood. Gritty cleaners should be avoided since they can damage painted surfaces and woodwork. But first!! You have to either brush off or vacuum soot. Once the soot is removed from the wall, use a degreaser on the remaining stain.

Mix 2 teaspoons of liquid degreasing dish detergent with 1/2 gallon of water to produce a cleaning solution.

Does bleach remove soot

Bleach is not recommended since it might remove soot stains from walls but not in a good way. The use of a very powerful bleaching chemical can remove soot stains from fabrics and walls, but it can also leave permanent markings there. So it’s not recommended.

How to get rid of soot stains on walls

Inhalation of soot particles might harm your respiratory system. When removing it off surfaces, make sure you wear protective gear such as safety glasses, gloves, and a mask. Soot can be properly eliminated if you take your time and do it carefully.

Here are the things you should do to get rid of soot stains:

1. Wear protective gear (gloves, mask, glasses, coat, protective clothes, and shoes).
2. Bring up soot cleaning materials (vacuum, sponge, bucket, TSP, dishwashing liquid with degreaser).
3. Now either empty the room or cover all your furniture.
4. Ventilate the room by opening windows, doors, and fan for circulation.
5. Start from the wall top and begin vacuuming.
6. Hold a vacuum brush with one-inch distance from the wall to capture all soot particles
7. Use a loose or dusting brush for better vacuuming
8. Use soot or dry cleaning sponge
9. Now start wiping the sponge. Do not scrub it!!
10. Now that soot is gone, get rid of the remaining stain by any solution I mentioned above.
11. Rinse and dry the surface
12. Now remove the vacuum and your protective outfit.

And that’s it! You’re done.

Soot stains FAQs

Following are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding the usage of soot.

Does soot stain clothes

Yes! Soot does stain clothes and in a really bad way. Soot is the type of stain which comprises carbon and soil particles as well as oil. When soot stains are washed and dried without being treated, the stains become permanent onto the fabric, becoming untreatable.

Does soot stain carpet

Unfortunately, yes it does. The soot of any sort even from candles is problematic. When soot gets stuck in light or white carpets, it leaves unsightly black stains. Scrubbing the soot from the carpet in a chaotic manner simply serves to distribute the stains farther into the fibers. So make sure to protect your carpet.

How to get rid of soot stains on clothes

The below 3 simple steps will help you get rid of the soot stains on clothes

1. Take one spoonful of liquid dishwashing detergent and mix it with two cups of cold water.
2. Sponge the stain with the detergent solution on the affected area of the cloth.
3. To get rid of the detergent solution, use a sponge and cold water.