Smoke damage isn't one problem with one fix — it's several different problems depending on what burned, and the ANSI/IICRC S700 standard exists because treating all smoke residue the same way tends to leave odor and staining behind. Whether the source is a kitchen fire, an electrical fire, or wildfire smoke that settled into a home over weeks, the same underlying framework applies to doing the cleanup right.
Residue type determines the cleaning method
S700 calls for identifying what kind of smoke residue is actually present before cleaning begins — protein residue from a kitchen fire behaves differently than the synthetic residue from burned plastics or the dry char from a wood-based fire. Each type responds to different cleaning agents and methods; using the wrong approach can set a stain rather than lift it, or spread residue across a surface instead of removing it.
Structural cleaning follows a sequence, not a spray-and-wipe pass
Ceilings and upper surfaces are typically addressed before walls and lower surfaces, since residue and cleaning runoff travel downward.
Hard surfaces are cleaned with methods matched to the residue type identified during assessment.
HVAC systems are evaluated separately, since ductwork can recirculate residue through the house long after visible surfaces are cleaned.
Contents and odor get their own attention
Furniture, fabrics, and personal belongings often need different handling than fixed structural surfaces — sometimes on-site cleaning, sometimes an off-site process depending on the material and level of contamination. On odor specifically, S700-based work focuses on removing the source of the smell — residue embedded in materials — rather than covering it with fragrance, because masking agents stop working the moment humidity rises or the HVAC system runs again.
Safety is part of the standard, not an afterthought
Soot and fire residue can contain byproducts that call for proper PPE and handling, particularly after fires involving synthetic materials. A standard-based approach treats that seriously rather than treating smoke damage as just a deep-cleaning job.
Why this matters whether the source was a house fire or a wildfire season
Whether smoke got into a home from an active structure fire or from months of regional wildfire smoke working its way through HVAC systems and door gaps, the same underlying question applies: was the residue actually identified and removed, or was the smell just masked long enough to pass a walkthrough? S700 is the framework that answers that question the right way.
Expert Restoration LLC runs every water, fire/smoke, and mold job to IICRC standards across Thurston, Mason, Lewis, and Grays Harbor counties. Call 360-480-7540 for a documented, standard-based assessment.