How to Clean Plastic After Smoke Damage
Cleaning up after small or large house fires can be tedious and time consuming. But when you have the proper materials, you can remove the soot and stains on plastic furniture, counter tops and other plastic items in your home so they look like new. Instead of purchasing new items, try cleaning them first.
Things You Will Need
- Rubber gloves
- Mild detergent
- Bleach
- Kitchen sponge
- Paper towels
- Bucket
- Water
- Soft bristled brush
- Soft cloth
Tip
Do not use abrasive cleaning products like steel wool on plastic as this will cause the plastic to become scratched.
Warning
Store all cleaning products in the containers they came in. Store in a dry, cool spot.
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Put on rubber gloves to protect your hands from detergents and other cleaners you may be using. Fill a bucket with warm water halfway. Add 1/2 cup of mild detergent to the water. Mix the water and the detergent together using your gloved hand. Place a soft cloth in the water.
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Use paper towels to remove any loose soot or debris before using the wet cloth. Removing soot will help you determine if there are any deep stains in the plastic. This will also make the cleaning process more effective. Using a wet cloth, gently rub the surface. Continue to do so until the stain disappears.
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If the stain dulls, but doesn't completely disappear, use a kitchen sponge that has a rough edge and a soft edge. Use the sponge to remove any remaining stains. Use the soft edge and then the rough edge. If necessary, add bleach to a dry cloth and blot the stain. Wait a few minutes to see if the stain disappears.
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To remove smoke and soot from countertops that have a plastic coating, fill a bucket with water and add 1/2 cup of bleach. Make sure to wear your rubber gloves at all times during the cleaning process. Use a soft cloth or paper towels to wipe away any debris or soot. Use a soft bristled brush and scrub any remaining stains.
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The key to removing embedded soot and dirt is to scrub slowly and gently until the stain is gone. Use detergent and bleach to help you in this process. Wipe up any excess cleaner with paper towel. Throw away all cloths and used paper towels after use. Rinse out sponge and soft bristled brush thoroughly and only use them for cleaning purposes from now on.
The Drip Cap
- Cleaning up after small or large house fires can be tedious and time consuming.
- But when you have the proper materials, you can remove the soot and stains on plastic furniture, counter tops and other plastic items in your home so they look like new.
- Put on rubber gloves to protect your hands from detergents and other cleaners you may be using.
- Add 1/2 cup of mild detergent to the water.
- Continue to do so until the stain disappears.
- Use the sponge to remove any remaining stains.
Writer Bio
Based in the Washington metro area, Jessica Jones has been a freelance writer since 2006, specializing in business topics. Her fiction has also been featured in publications such as "The Jamaican Observer Sunday Literary Supplement" and at websites including HackWriters. Jones earned a Master of Fine Arts in fiction writing from Lesley University.
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