Tips for Removing Soot Stains

The winter season is great for using a wood burning fireplace in your home. However, soot can easily get into surrounding areas in your living space and cause stains. Here are a few ways to get soot out of common household items.

Marble. Many home fireplaces have a marble tile surround. Soot can accumulate on these spaces, which sometimes can be a bit hard to clean. One way to remove soot from marble is to apply a mixture of one part baking soda to one part water. Smooth the paste over the soot stain in a thick layer. Apply a bit of kitchen plastic wrap over the baking soda. Secure the wrap in place with tape. Let the spot dry overnight before rinsing the baking soda off with a damp soft cloth.

Carpet. Carpet can be a little trickier than marble to remove soot stains. Sprinkle a bit of baking soda straight from the box onto the soot stain. Once the baking soda has set on the soot stain for an hour, use a vacuum cleaner to pick it up. (Some of the soot will bind to the baking soda, lifting it.) Pour a quarter sized amount of hydrogen peroxide onto a white terry cloth towel. Dab the soot stain with the peroxide to finish lifting the stain. (The peroxide portion of this tip should only be done on light colored carpets to prevent bleaching.)

Linens, Curtains, and Upholstery. Nearby linens, curtains, and upholstery can also accidentally have soot stains. If normal laundering through a washing machine does not work or is not an option, try the following. Vacuum the area to remove any excess soot on the stain. Apply a half dollar sized amount of rubbing alcohol to a soft cloth. Dab the stain with the soft cloth. (It is important to make sure the rubbing alcohol will not bleach the fabric by testing it in a small spot first.)

Walls. The paint on walls can easily harbor soot marks, as well. For light stains, rub dry baking soda directly onto the wall while wearing rubber gloves. Apply a generous amount of pressure. For deeper stains, use a mixture of one part ammonia per for parts of water. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and use a scrub sponge to lift the rest of the stain.

NOTE: Soot stains from house fires are much different than those caused by fireplace use. Check with your local fire restoration company before attempting any of the above methods.