How to Clean the Wall & Ceiling From Incense Smoke

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Burning incense yields intense aromas, but often leaves sooty residue on your walls.

Flammable incense comes in a number of forms, including cones, sticks, powder and ropes. These items are lit and then smoulder, producing a pleasantly aromatic smoke with sooty residue that -- unfortunately -- adheres to surfaces and textiles. It may prove a time-consuming process, but you can clean the incense smoke from your walls and ceilings with ordinary household cleaning products.

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Step 1

Dust from the ceiling to the bottom of the walls with a duster or dry dust mop to remove dirt, dust and incense smoke particles. Vacuum or sweep the dust from the baseboards and the surrounding floor.

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Step 2

Place a drop cloth or sheet on the floor or carpet for protection from cleaning mixes that might drip from your ceiling or walls. Open windows to provide ventilation while cleaning and to fill the room with fresh air.

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Step 3

Mix 1 gallon warm water, 3 tablespoons of dish detergent and 1/3 cup of white vinegar or ammonia in a bucket. The soap aids in cleaning while the vinegar or ammonia cuts through the oils in the stain.

Step 4

Soak a soft sponge in the cleaning solution and wring it out over the bucket. Gently rub the sponge in a circular motion on a 3-foot wide section of your wall, beginning at the bottom of the wall, to prevent streaking and dripping.

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Step 5

Soak a clean soft sponge in a bucket of warm water and wring the sponge out. Rub the washed section with the sponge to rinse the cleaning solution off. Dry the section with a dry cloth. Continue the process section-by-section, moving upward on each wall to remove incense smoke stains and odors.

Step 6

Stand on a step stool or ladder to clean the ceiling, repeating the same process you used on the walls across the ceiling.

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