Michigan State University Extension
Home Maintenance And Repair - 01500002
06/24/03
Cleaning Carpets After A Fire
Wet carpets should be quickly separated from padding to
prevent padding dyes from wicking up and causing
permanent stains. A professional would next use a water-
lift vacuum, but a good substitute is to turn on electric
fans and open windows to provide good air circulation as
an aid to speedy drying. Open windows and fans help if
temperatures are warm enough and air outside is dry. In
cold, damp weather, if house does not have any openings
(such as broken-out windows) borrow, rent, or buy one or
more dehumidifiers (depending on size of wet area in
house) to pull water out of surfaces and materials.
Carpets and rugs should then be shampooed with dense
detergent suds and very little water. Cleaning experts
have recommended steam extraction by professional truck-
mounted units, with higher horsepower than home rental
units, to clean and extract carpets much more thoroughly
than shampooing the surface. Professionals use special
deodorant shampoos in rotary carpet-scrubbing machines
and they also have facilities to stretch shrunken rugs.
It will be difficult for most home-owners to replace
wall-to-wall carpet.
This article was written by Anne Field, Extension
Specialist, Emeritus, with references from Arkansas
Extension bulletin How to Clean House After a Fire.
This information is for educational purposes only. References
to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
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Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in
cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director,
MSU Extension, East Lansing,MI 48824. This information is for educational
purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.
This file was generated from data base 02 on 02/04/08.
Data base 02 was last revised on 06/24/03.
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