Tips To Help Clean Up Your Home After a Fire

A house fire is a scary and stressful experience. After it happens, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. First, remember that you are not alone. House fires happen more often than people think, with about 358,300 occurring every year. Most start in kitchens, but they can also happen in laundry rooms, chimneys, bedrooms, and living rooms.

If your home has had a fire, here are some important steps to help clean up and start rebuilding.

Remove All Waste

Before you start cleaning, make sure your insurance company says it is safe to do so. Once you get the approval, begin by clearing out all the damaged materials. If your home has a lot of damage, renting a dumpster can help you remove everything more easily.

A dumpster rental makes it easier to get rid of burned materials, broken furniture, and other debris. Also, go through each room and check for ruined clothes, curtains, rugs, and other fabrics. Wash anything that can be saved with strong detergent. If the items are too damaged, throw them away.

Dry Out the Floors

Once the waste is removed, you need to dry out the floors. If there is leftover water from putting out the fire, it can cause mildew and mold to grow.

To dry your home, open all the windows and doors. Turn on fans and vents to help with airflow. If your HVAC system is safe to use, run it to remove moisture from the air. Check how much water has soaked into your floors. If there is a lot, you may need to replace them.

Clean the Walls and Ceiling

Look closely at the walls and ceiling for damage. If they look weak or unsafe, call a professional inspector to check them before cleaning.

If the inspector says it’s safe, you can clean the walls and ceiling to remove soot and prevent mildew. Use a mix of hot water and bleach to wipe everything down. This helps stop mold from growing and removes smoke stains.

Get a Dumpster Rental for Cleanup

Cleaning up after a fire takes time, but having the right tools makes it easier. Renting a dumpster helps you get rid of damaged materials without making multiple trips to a disposal site.

At Vine Disposal, we provide dumpster rentals to help homeowners clean up after disasters. If you need a dumpster for waste removal during your home repairs, contact us today.