How to Clean Smoke From Walls and Floors After Grease Fires

A grease fire leaves behind a smoky film on walls and ceiling.


A grease fire results in cleaning issues beyond just the area where the fire originated. As smoke permeates the room, it leaves behind an odor or even a residue on surrounding walls and the ceiling that may go unnoticed until you get close to the affected areas. In some cases the residue and odor can be removed with household substances, but in severe cases, specialty supplies do the trick.

Vinegar: Odor Eater

Regular white vinegar removes odors and cleans the ceiling and walls a bit in the process. Dip a sponge or cloth into a bowl of vinegar, wringing out most of the liquid; then wipe down the entire surface of each wall and ceiling in the room. Open the windows or turn on a ceiling fan to hasten the drying process, if desired. If the odor persists, give the room a second vinegar wipe-down treatment.

Heavy-Duty Cleaner

Smoke residue clings to walls and ceilings after a grease fire, meaning every inch of those surfaces requires cleaning. If the walls or ceiling feel greasy or sooty, a treatment with TSP (tri-sodium phosphate) gets them clean once again. Mix a tablespoon of TSP into a gallon of warm water in a bucket and drop a large sponge into the water. Another bucket full of clean water with its own sponge is necessary as well, as the TSP has to be wiped back off the surfaces quickly to prevent paint discoloration. While wearing rubber gloves and eye protection, wring most of the liquid out of the sponge and scrub the surfaces, cleaning small areas at a time; then wipe down the same areas using the water-dampened sponge as a rinse. Keep the sponges only as moist as necessary, as soaking the walls or ceiling may damage them.

A Chemical Sponge Solution

A special type of sponge is designed specifically to remove soot and stains related to smoke damage after a fire. While it’s called a sponge, it works more like an eraser when you rub it over dry walls to remove marks. Rub down the ceiling, overlapping strokes slightly with the chemical sponge until the entire ceiling has been treated; then work on the walls, cleaning from the top down, as the sponge may drop a bit of debris in the process. When the sponge appears dirty, slice the dirty areas away with a utility knife to reveal a fresh surface.

Room Refresher

To help get the entire room smelling fresh once again while you're cleaning the walls and ceiling, open the windows and utilize fans to allow the smelly air to flow out and the fresh air to get back in. If it's cold outdoors, pin a tarp or blanket over entryways leading to other rooms, keeping the cool air contained to the affected room. Take any fabrics, such as drapes or chair cushions, outdoors to air out and wash items that are machine washable; otherwise, the room may still smell of smoke even after you’ve cleaned.

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