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How to Clean a Painting Canvas After a Fire

Even a small fire in a home can be emotionally and financially devastating. In the aftermath, salvaging precious keepsakes like paintings often becomes particularly important. Aficionados typically recommend taking smoke-damaged artwork to an expert for guidance on proper repair, since amateur attempts may damage the work further. However, cleaning a painting canvas yourself after a fire can save money, especially if you don't have insurance to cover such a restoration. The specific materials used to clean the canvas depend upon the type of art, but the process remains the same.

Things You'll Need

Drop cloth
Blow dryer
Paper
Wood, plastic or linoleum
Rubber gloves
Cotton balls
Painting neutralizer
Cotton swabs
Emulsifier cleaner

Instructions

- 1
  Use a blow dryer on a low, cool setting to gently remove residue such as ash from the surface. Set the canvas on the floor on a towel or drop cloth. Tilt the canvas at a 45-degree angle and point the dryer at the top, blowing the residue toward the floor.
- 2
  Lay the painting face-up on a table covered with a piece of paper. Place some wood, plastic or pieces of linoleum beneath the middle of the painting to keep it from stretching as you push on it.
- 3
  Dab the cotton in the neutralizer and rub it gently over the surface of the canvas. Neutralizer helps remove any remaining dirt after blowing off residue, and also helps prevent other chemicals from reacting with the surface. It is available at craft or art-supply stores.
- 4
  Dip a cotton swab into the emulsion cleaner (also available at craft or art stores) and gently wipe over an area no larger than 4 inches square, starting in the corner of the canvas. Immediately apply more neutralizer to that area to stop any potential negative chemical reactions.
- 5
  Continue the process until the entire painting is clean, working in 4-square-inch sections. Gently roll the swabs over the surface rather than scrubbing the surface. Use a clean swab and cotton ball for each new section.

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