How to Clean Kerosene Soot
- 1). Vacuum the stained area to remove any caked-on soot. Use a vacuum cleaner with a micro filter to avoid sending soot particles into the air. Keep the attachment 1/4 to 1/2 inch away from the soot stain. Don't let the vacuum cleaner attachment touch the stain; you will drive the soot particles deeper into the area.
- 2). Use a chemical dry-cleaning sponge, also called a soot sponge, to wipe away as much soot as possible. These sponges are made of rubber and they work like a pencil eraser. You can buy the sponges at hardware and paint stores for a few dollars each. Start at the ceiling and work your way down to avoid dropping soot particles on areas you have already cleaned. Use light, even strokes in one direction. Use a new sponge once the first sponge is caked with soot.
- 3). Wipe the area again with a regular sponge and a degreaser solution if you still have stains. Consider using a cleaner that contains trisodium phosphate (TSP). This heavy degreaser is used by professional painters and cleaners and can be found at paint and hardware stores. Use dish washing soap mixed with warm water if the stain is light.
- 4). Wipe the area again with clean water.
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