How to Remove Soot from Wallpaper

When cleaning wallpaper, it is important that you clean in an up and down motion rather than a side-to-side or circular motion to prevent damage to the seams. Test cleaning should be conducted in sealed areas, such as behind a switch plate.

There are five types of conventional roll-type wall coverings.

1. Vinyl - Use dry or wet clean methods.
2. Paper
   1. If uncoated - use dry cleaning method only.
   2. If coated - use dry and wet clean methods.
3. Foil - Use dry and wet clean methods.
4. Flocked - Use dry and wet clean methods. Foil wall paper is usually not responsive to wet cleaning.
5. Grasscloth - Use dry cleaning method only.

Directions - Dry Cleaning Method

1. HEPA vacuum all surfaces.
2. If soot residue is non-oily (doesn't smear), clean the area using a lambswool duster. NOTE: Feather and synthetic dusters are not recommended.
3. Clean the walls using Absorene Wall Cleaner as an eraser.
4. Using a upholstery brush, lightly brush any crumbs of wall cleaner off the wall, and then vacuum thoroughly.

Directions - Wet Cleaning Method

1. HEPA vacuum all surfaces.
2. If soot residue is non-oily (doesn't smear), clean the area using a lambswool duster. NOTE: Feather and synthetic dusters are not recommended.
3. Clean the walls using Absorene Wall Cleaner as an eraser.
4. Using a upholstery brush, lightly brush any crumbs of wall cleaner off the wall, and then vacuum thoroughly.
5. Prepare 3 buckets as follows:
   1. Bucket One (Cleaning Solution) - Dilute your cleaning agent per label instructions. You can add either 1-3 oz of OdorX 9-D-9 or Fresh Wave IAQ Air and Surface Liquid to your cleaning solution for extra deodorization capabilities.
   2. Bucket Two (Waste Solution) - Fill the bucket 1/3 to 1/2 with clean water.
   3. Bucket Three (Rinse Solution) - Fill with clean water.
6. Clean the walls using rags or towels using the following method:
   1. Dip towel/rag in Bucket One, lightly wring it out, and then clean a small area of wall (1' x 1' to 2' x 2' area). When cleaning, start at the bottom and work your way up.
   2. Dip a towel in Bucket Two, and then wring it out completely.
   3. Dip a towel in Bucket Three, and then rinse wipe the area that was just cleaned.