Which soot residues require damp cleaning?

Damp cleaning is essential for certain types of soot residues because it effectively removes them without further embedding them into surfaces. Protein soot, often resulting from burning organic materials such as meats and oils, can leave behind a sticky residue that is best removed with a damp cloth, as water helps emulsify these residues. Plastic and rubber soot, which can come from fires involving synthetic materials, also benefit from damp cleaning to lift the soot particles off surfaces effectively.

Puff-back soot, which is associated with malfunctioning furnaces or boilers, often appears as a fine, powdery residue that can be spread through a building. Damp cleaning techniques help to contain the residues during removal, mitigating the risk of cross-contamination or spreading the soot around.

Therefore, because all three types of soot residues—protein, plastic/rubber, and puff back—can leave behind stubborn residues that are better addressed through damp cleaning methods, the comprehensive approach of damp cleaning is needed to effectively restore surfaces impacted by these soot types.