Cleaning & Removing Marijuana Residue and Odor
As the recreational use of marijuana becomes legal in more states, restoration professionals can expect an uptick in jobs that require the cleanup of marijuana residue, particularly in apartments and other rentals. The cleaning solutions and process will depend on severity, but the cleaning and deodorizing process can be similar to fire and smoke damage cleanup because it strives to eliminate odor. Proper assessment must be done to determine the level of contamination. For hard surfaces with mild residue, restoration professionals should clean the walls and ceilings of the affected areas with a wall wash solution with an added deodorizer. Other surfaces in the structure can be cleaned with a mild degreaser cleaner. They should not forget details like bathroom fixtures, windows, and door hardware. Severe residue should be cleaned with a more aggressive solution, which could mean that walls will need to be repainted afterward. Carpet and soft contents need a deep clean with chem sponge or through dry cleaning, but paper and cardboard materials will need to be discarded. Hydroxl machines are good tools to deodorize the structure and contents because it is not as toxic and damaging to contents as ozone can be. Air scrubbers are good for pulling particulates out of the air, and HVAC and ductwork should be cleaned as well.