Can I use vinegar to clean a wooden cabinet that was in a house fire

Lezley Dunn
by Lezley Dunn
  5 answers
  • Ebbjdl Ebbjdl on Jun 10, 2018

    I'd wash it with Murphys Oil Soap, and let it dry completly. If the wood is presentable, leave it. If it looks bad, sand it, then paint it with high gloss paint. Lay it down, this will avoid streaks and peeling. Paint one side, and let it dry, turn it, and do another side, ect.

  • Landsharkinnc Landsharkinnc on Jun 10, 2018

    yes, but it won't remove smoke residue ... JonDon.com makes a product to remove that heavy black residue -- you may be able to find at Lowes/Home Depot or even Amazon .. some are for wood, some for glass, etc. ...

  • JudyH JudyH on Jun 10, 2018

    If the cabinet has smoke damage, you can try using water, baking soda, and a very small amount of Dawn dishwashing soap. If the cabinet does not have smoke residue so much, but has a strong smoke smell you are trying to remove, then take the cabinet outside to a covered area so that it is protected from the elements and put charcoal barbeques in an open container inside drawer and behind any doors. Airing the piece for several days will help some, but if the smoke completely permeated the wood, you probably will never be able to complete rid it of the smell. Frequently polishing the wood with homemade polish (1 Tbs lemon juice, 1 Tbsp Olive oil, one cup water, shake and apply with soft cloth) might disguise the smoke door enough you can stand to live with it. Putting an unused dryer sheet in all the closed areas also might help.

  • William William on Jun 20, 2018

    Smoke tends to be oily. Vinegar can cut through mild smoke damage. Murhpy's Oil Soap or a good degreaser like Simple Green, ZEP would work. If the odor of smoke remains and you can't get it out you can seal it with shellac. One or two coats will seal the wood.