24/7 Emergency Services
Smoke Damage Cleaning and Odor Removal
The smell stays until the soot and residue causing it are gone. We find it and clean it out.
A person answers 24/7.
What you can expect from us
- A real person answers the phone 24 hours a day, and we can often be on site within a few hours.
- We work with every insurance company and document the damage for your claim.
- Ajaxx is an IICRC Certified Firm, which means our technicians are trained to the industry's cleaning and restoration standards.
Smoke damage cleaning means removing the soot and residue that smoke leaves on walls, ceilings, ducts and belongings. The smell comes from that residue. Air fresheners and ozone alone do not fix it. We clean the surfaces first, then deodorize what is left. Call any time. We answer 24/7.
What to do right now
- Leave the furnace and air conditioning off until the ducts are checked.
- Do not wipe soot with a wet rag.
- Open windows if the weather allows.
- Set aside clothes and bedding that smell of smoke.
Why does smoke smell come back after cleaning?
Smoke particles are small. They settle into drywall, carpet, insulation and the inside of ducts. If only the surfaces you can see get wiped, the smell comes back on the first warm or humid day.
Where we look
- Walls and ceilings, especially above the stove and in closets
- Inside kitchen cabinets and drawers
- Furnace, air return and ducts
- Carpet, pad and upholstered furniture
- Attic insulation, if smoke went up
How we remove it
We start by cleaning. Dry sponges lift loose soot without smearing it. Then we wash surfaces with a cleaner matched to the residue. Kitchen grease needs a degreaser. Plastic or rubber fires leave a sticky film that needs something else.
After cleaning, we deodorize. That can mean sealing a surface that will be painted, running air scrubbers, or treating the space so the last of the odor breaks down. We will tell you which steps your house needs and why.
Clothes and belongings
Clothing, bedding and drapes usually come clean in commercial washers or with dry cleaning. Furniture and decor can be cleaned by hand. See contents cleaning and pack-out.
Not only after a fire
We also handle smell from cigarette smoke in rentals, furnace puff-backs and smoke that came in from a neighbor's fire. We handle your project from start to finish.
Why do people call Ajaxx?
A real person answers the phone 24 hours a day, and we can often be on site within a few hours. Ajaxx is an IICRC Certified Firm, which means our technicians are trained to the industry’s cleaning and restoration standards. Our team is licensed and certified, and we work with every insurance company and document the damage for your claim. We handle your project from start to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will painting over smoke damage get rid of the smell?
Not by itself. Paint over soot can bleed through and trap the smell. Surfaces need to be cleaned first, and sometimes sealed, before painting.
Does ozone remove smoke smell?
It can help as a last step after cleaning. It does not remove soot. Ozone is also unsafe for people, pets and plants while it runs, so the space has to be empty.
Can you remove cigarette smoke smell from a house?
Yes. Nicotine leaves a yellow film on walls, ceilings and inside ducts. We clean it off, then seal and deodorize what needs it.
Can smoke-damaged clothes be saved?
Often, yes. Many clothes come clean in commercial washers or with dry cleaning, followed by deodorizing.
Related Services & Help
What happens when you call?
- Call or text
A person picks up any hour. Tell us what happened and we'll tell you what to do until we arrive. - We look first
We can often be on site within a few hours. We check for hidden water or soot and walk you through the plan. - We stop it from spreading
We pull out water, cover openings or seal off the area on the first visit. - We clean up and keep records
We clean what can be saved. You get photos, notes and moisture readings to send your insurance company.