How do I clean soot off walls?

Start dry: remove loose soot with a dry chemical sponge, wiping in one direction, and HEPA-vacuum what you can. Only then clean with a degreasing cleaner suited to the paint, working from the bottom up to avoid streaks. Heavy soot, greasy kitchen soot or large areas are better left to professionals, because wet wiping smears soot into the paint.

General information, not advice for your specific policy or property. Updated October 2026.