Restoration logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Restoration logo
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products & Technologies
    • Submit Your Product
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
  • EDUCATION
    • KnowHow.
    • Podcasts
    • Trade Shows & Expos
    • Training & Certification
    • Webinars
    • Whitepapers
  • TOPICS
    • Water Damage
    • Fire & Smoke Damage
    • Mold
    • Contamination
    • Odor
    • Contents
    • Architecture
    • Catastrophe
    • Cleaning
  • BUSINESS
    • Managing Your Business
    • Insurance/Legal Matters
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • VIDEOS
    • Ask Annissa
    • Ask the Expert
    • Ironclad Marketing Minute
    • TradeTalks
    • Video Channel
  • INFOCENTER
    • Mold and Mycotoxins
  • THE EXPERIENCE
    • Conference & Exhibition
    • Convention & Trade Show
    • R&R Special Issue
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP
Fire and Smoke Damage RestorationContents Restoration

How to Clean Textured or Fabric Wallpaper

By Annissa Coy
ContentsCorner_FT
June 4, 2015

Cleaning wallpaper is not as tricky as you might think. In fact, most of the time the wallpaper we encounter can actually be wet cleaned as long as you are careful. This, of course, depends on the severity of the smoke and soot residue you face.

There are a few things to consider when you have a wallpaper that is heavily textured or fabric that is different than your average flat wallpaper that may even have a plastic coat over the top of it.

  1. Does the wallpaper have prior damage? If yes, you may not be able to clean it properly thus it would need to be replaced.
  2. Is it easy to replace? You may try harder to save it if the homeowner cannot replace it.
  3. How bad was the fire? If there is a lot of soot, medium to heavy coverage, then you are probably facing replacement.
  4. Is it cost effective to clean it vs. replacing it?

To clean wallpaper with a dry method here are the steps you will want to take. First, HEPA vacuum the affected area. Start from the top and work your way down the area with long, even strokes. Never rub the vacuum over the wallpaper as you can damage it. Be sure that the pressure you are applying is even and not too firm. I do a 2-foot swath from side to side and then go top to bottom before moving on to the next section. This makes it easy to keep track of where you have already vacuumed.

Next, use a dry cleaning chemical sponge and repeat this process on the entire affected area that you just vacuumed. If the wallpaper is velvet or dark in color you may need to use several sponges in this step as the color will come off onto your sponge. Never scrub with the sponge in a back and forth motion. This can damage the wallpaper and makes the sponge ineffective. If necessary, you can go over the area a second time with a chemical sponge until no more soot comes off.

If the wallpaper can withstand a wet cleaning, you can use a large sponge that is slightly dampened with a very mild degreaser to wash the affected area. It is very important that the sponge is not too wet as you can cause the wallpaper to lift if too much water is used.

It is especially important to use a sponge if your wallpaper is textured so you can clean effectively. Once again, you want to clean the area using long, even strokes with gentle pressure.

It is a good idea to test a small area to see if any color begins to bleed and if so, stop right away. The wallpaper will need to be replaced. Always start with the least invasive method to begin with and get more aggressive if needed.

After all the residue is removed, setup a hydroxyl generator to remove any odor that still remains if necessary. This can take anywhere from 24 to 48 hours usually to remove all odor depending on the degree of the fire.

 Cleaning wallpaper does cost more as the processes are much more labor intensive than plain wall coverings are to clean. Xactimate has special pricing for these additional cleaning methods necessary for wallpaper cleaning.

KEYWORDS: contents cleaning innovations in restoration

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Annissacoy 200

Annissa Coy is a well-trained and highly skilled professional with more than two decades of experience in the cleaning and restoration industry and the co-creator of Firehouse Education and Mobile Cleaning Systems. She was also the winner of R&R’s inaugural Recognizing Women in Restoration award in 2017. Be sure to check out Annissa’s weekly videos on www.randrmagonline.com! Have a question for Annissa? E-mail her at Annissa@firehouseeducation.com.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • mold remediation

    Fighting Mold and Bacteria Damage

    Successful mold remediation can be multidisciplinary,...
    Contamination Restoration & Remediation​
    By: Josh Woolen
  • certifications and licenses for restoration professionals

    Certifications and Licenses Every Restoration Company Needs

    Restoration companies need to make sure they have the...
    Restoration Training/Education
    By: Sharon Elzarat
  • a wall covered in moss and fungus

    Zero Tolerance for Toxic Molds: Essential Steps for Successful Remediation

    Understanding the importance of zero tolerance for toxic...
    Mold Remediation
    By: Michael A. Pinto CSP, SMS, CMP, RTPE, FLS, ERS and Kendra Seymour
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Manage My Account
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Popular Stories

Pop Art Female Superhero Punches a Masked Villain

TPAs vs. Independence: The Restoration Industry’s Own Version of the Cola Wars

RIA Carrier Advocate Mark Springer

Turning the Page: A New Era of Trust and Collaboration in Restoration

particle count hands-on demonstration of a HEPA filter

The Truth About HEPA Filters

Submit Your New Product/Technology to R&R!

Would you like to promote a new restoration, remediation or cleaning product/technology with Restoration & Remediation? Fill out the question below to start your submission:

Events

September 3, 2025

The Experience Convention and Trade Show

The Experience Convention & Trade Show logoJoin us in Las Vegas for The Experience Convention & Trade Show, the leading event for cleaning, restoration, and remediation pros, packed with hands-on demos, expert speakers, and high-impact networking. Happening September 3–5, 2025 at Caesars Forum—this is where the industry comes to learn, connect, and grow!

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Doffing PPE

When you are doffing your PPE, do you sanitize between every step?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary.

See More Products
Prepare for CATASTROPHE with R&R!

Related Articles

  • Ask Annissa: How to Clean Taffeta Wallpaper

    How to Clean Taffeta Wallpaper

    See More
  • textiles hard goods art

    Ask Annissa: How do I Handle a Situation Where the Homeowner Wants to Clean?

    See More
  • annissa pot

    Ask Annissa: How to Clean Marijuana Residue Off Walls

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • Upholstery-&-Fabric-cleanin.gif

    Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning

  • red-guide-national-815.png

    National Red Guide - A Step by Step Guide to Disaster Recovery

  • After-The-Smoke-Clears.gif

    After The Smoke Clears...

See More Products
×

Stay ahead of the curve with our eNewsletters.

Get the latest industry updates tailored your way.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
    • Submit a Press Release
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Reprints
    • Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing