How to Remove Smoke Stains From Vinyl
Smoke -- whether from cigarettes, fireplaces, heaters, or house fires -- will leave unsightly stains, oily residue, and soot on surfaces it contacts, such as vinyl. The stains can also fill the area with a smokey smell that lasts for weeks after the incident.
Fortunately, you can remove the smoke stains from a variety of vinyl surfaces using a few common household items.
Things You Will Need
- 5-gallon buckets
- Powdered laundry detergent
- Powdered all-purpose cleaner
- Soft-bristled car brush
- Water hose
- Broom
- Dustpan
- Oxygen bleach
- Old toothbrush
- Sponge
- White vinegar
- Sponge mop
- Cloth
- Towel
Vinyl Siding
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Add 1 gallon of cool water to a 5-gallon bucket. Add 1/3 cup powdered laundry detergent and 2/3 cup powdered all-purpose cleaner. Mix the contents.
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Dip a soft-bristled car brush with a long handle into the mixture. Begin scrubbing the vinyl siding vigorously until you have removed the smoke and soot stains.
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Rinse the vinyl siding with a water hose. Start at the top and work your way down, moving the hose in a steady, back-and-forth motion.
Vinyl Tiles
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Sweep the tiles with a broom to remove surface debris. Sweep the debris into a dustpan and discard. Fill a bucket with 1 gallon warm water and 1 cup oxygen bleach. Mix the contents.
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Scrub the smoke-stained grout with an old toothbrush saturated in the mixture. Scrub with a vigorous, back-and-forth motion until you have removed the smoke stains. Dip a sponge into the mixture and use it to scrub the vinyl tiles. Scrub back and forth vigorously until you have removed the stains.
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Fill a clean bucket with 1 gallon of water and 4 cups of white vinegar. Dip a sponge mop into the mixture. Mop the tiles to remove smoke odors.
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Rinse the tiles clean with a cloth dampened with water. Remove excess water from the tiles with a towel.
The Drip Cap
- Smoke -- whether from cigarettes, fireplaces, heaters, or house fires -- will leave unsightly stains, oily residue, and soot on surfaces it contacts, such as vinyl.
- Fill a bucket with 1 gallon warm water and 1 cup oxygen bleach.
- Scrub with a vigorous, back-and-forth motion until you have removed the smoke stains.
- Dip a sponge into the mixture and use it to scrub the vinyl tiles.
- Rinse the tiles clean with a cloth dampened with water.
References
Writer Bio
Amanda Flanigan began writing professionally in 2007. Flanigan has written for various publications, including WV Living and American Craft Council, and has published several eBooks on craft and garden-related subjects. Flanigan completed two writing courses at Pierpont Community and Technical College.
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