As stated by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), “the most effective way to reduce exposure to indoor pollutants is to first remove sources of pollution or reduce pollutant emissions”. This means thoroughly clean the parts of your home damaged by smoke, ash, and/or soot. We recommend following the American Red Cross “Cleaning Up After a Fire” guidelines, found here. These simple guidelines are applicable for cleaning walls, floors, furniture, garments, dishes, etc. using mild detergent or bleach.
Note, some cleaning products contain chemicals that can cause or worsen asthma or affect indoor air quality. See CDPH’s resources about choosing a safe cleaning product here.