A greasy dark coating called soot, andSoot often appears on walls and ceilings not as a result of fires, but from a gas stove, fireplace, all kinds of candles and oil lamps. Fat and dust settled on it instantly mix, clog all the microcracks in the surface and form sloppy stains on it. It is quite difficult to remove such stains from walls and ceilings. That is why from the very beginning you need to mentally prepare for dirty and labor-intensive, but at the same time very necessary work.
First, the surface is cleaned of soot and carbon deposits without preliminary treatment with liquids, that is, “dry”.
Preparation for work
Removing soot and grime is a dirty job,therefore, before starting it, you need to change into old clothes that you don’t mind throwing away. It’s best to put your hair under any headdress or scarf. But first of all, you need to take care of your health safety and put on rubber gloves, a protective mask and glasses. Return to contents</a>The first stage is dry cleaning of surfaces
Necessary equipment for cleaning:rubber gloves, apron, safety glasses. Any attempts to remove soot from walls or ceilings immediately with a wet cloth or sponge can only make the situation worse, as there is a huge risk of spreading the stains even further. In this case, soot and grime will get even deeper into every crack, after which it will be almost impossible to remove them. First, the stains to be removed must be treated dry, that is, without using water or other liquid. Dry cleaning of walls and ceilings can be done with a brush or broom, trying to remove most of the soot and grime from the surfaces. The surfaces can be vacuumed beforehand. In this case, the vacuum cleaner brush should be kept at a distance from the stain. When the vacuum cleaner has absorbed the dust and dirt settled on the grease, you can proceed to the brush or broom. It is necessary to sweep soot and grime from the walls and ceiling with sharp, short movements of the brush or broom. When dry cleaning, you need to move from top to bottom. Return to the table of contents</a>The second stage is wet cleaningsurfaces When soot and grime have been removed as much as possible using the dry method, you can move on to wet surface treatment. Beforehand, the room in which the work is being carried out must be vacuumed and ventilated to remove particles of soot and grime that are in the air and can settle on the wet surface, forming new stains. Then it is best to cover the floor with plastic film.
Wet treatment of walls and ceilings is carried out withwith a dishwashing liquid with a formula for breaking down fat. At the wet cleaning stage, walls and ceilings are treated with rags or sponges moistened with water with a detergent dissolved in it. In this case, dishwashing liquids (Fairy or AOS) are great, since they dissolve fat perfectly. In addition, such products will also remove possible unpleasant odors from stains. It is also necessary to treat the surfaces with a damp cloth or sponge with sharp, straight movements, not rubbing, but scraping off the soot from top to bottom in stripes following one another. In stores selling household goods, you can also find special sponges for cleaning soot and carbon, which are impregnated with special chemicals that make this work easier. Such sponges are used in the same way as ordinary ones. The main thing is never to rub the soot and carbon into the surface of the wall or ceiling, but to scrape them off. If the dirt to be removed is significant, then you will have to use quite a lot of sponges, since they quickly become clogged. Experts advise: the dirty layer of the sponge can be cut off with scissors, after which you can continue working with it. The fact is that sponges for cleaning soot and carbon are impregnated with special substances to their full depth, which is what you should use. The procedure for wet cleaning of surfaces from soot and carbon stains can be repeated several times, constantly changing the cleaning solution. After finishing, the surfaces must be dried. Return to the table of contents</a>Working with stubborn and old stains
The surface is treated with a damp sponge,moving from top to bottom in a straight line. Stubborn stains that may remain even after dry and wet treatment of surfaces can be removed using alcohol, solvent or a concentrated solution of household bleach. To do this, soak a cotton swab in one of the above liquids and gently treat the stain in a circular motion, lightly pressing on the surface of the wall or ceiling. If dirt remains, the swab must be changed and the procedure repeated. Then the surfaces are thoroughly washed with clean water and dried. To remove old soot stains from walls or ceilings, you will need inorganic acids. For example, you can use undiluted vinegar or a solution of hydrochloric acid. Treatment can also be carried out with a cotton swab or a small sponge. When working with stubborn and old stains, it is necessary to strictly observe safety precautions. First of all, you can work only in protective gloves and glasses. The room in which the work is being done must be ventilated. It is best to treat the wall and ceiling surfaces washed with clean water and dried with several layers of primer. It is better to use stain-resistant primers on acrylic or alkyd bases, which will “preserve” the surface together with the remains of soot and carbon in microcracks. Primed surfaces must be dried and covered with finishing materials.
