By Restoration Advertising · 09/29/2026
What Can Be Saved After a House Fire
After a fire, some belongings can be cleaned and restored and some cannot. How to sort them, what a pack-out is, and what to do about food, papers and electronics.
Can anything be saved after a house fire?
More than most people expect. Fire, heat, smoke and water each do different damage, and many items that look ruined can be cleaned. The rule of thumb: hard, non-porous things such as metal, glass and ceramic clean well, and soft, porous things such as some upholstery, mattresses and paper are harder to save.
A restoration company can often tell you what is worth saving and what would cost more to clean than to replace. Keep your insurer in the loop, because what they will pay for changes the answer.
Before anything is cleaned or thrown out, photograph it and list it, so the claim has a record (see documenting your loss).
A rough guide by material
Usually cleanable
Glass, metal, ceramic, stone, hard plastics, and most solid wood furniture that was not burned through.
Often cleanable
Clothing, linens and washable fabrics, by laundering or dry cleaning, sometimes more than once. Some smoke odor needs specialty treatment.
Ask a professional
Electronics and appliances, upholstered furniture, rugs, artwork, books and photographs. Do not turn electronics on before they are inspected.
Usually replaced
Food, open medicines and cosmetics that were exposed to heat or smoke, and anything melted or badly charred.
What is a pack-out?
If the house is not livable, or the cleanup will be heavy, a restoration company may pack your belongings, inventory them, and take them to a facility to be cleaned while the house is repaired. The inventory is the important part: it lists what was taken, its condition, and what happened to it. Ask for a copy, and ask who is responsible if something is damaged or lost.
What about papers and photographs?
Wet papers and photos can often be saved if they are handled quickly. Don't pull stuck pages apart, and don't let them dry out clumped together. Some companies freeze wet documents and dry them under controlled conditions, so ask before you try to dry them yourself. Photographs are worth asking about even if they look hopeless.
What should you do about food?
Throw out food that was exposed to heat, smoke or fire-fighting chemicals, including sealed containers, because heat can make cans and jars unsafe even when they look fine. If you are unsure about a specific item, check with your local health department.
What should you ask a restoration company about contents?
- Which items will be cleaned, and how, and which do they recommend replacing?
- Is there an itemized estimate you can share with your insurer?
- What happens if an item can't be cleaned?
- Who handles the storage and return, and how long will it take?
You can browse fire and smoke damage restoration companies in the directory. The directory lists companies and does not vet or rate any of them, so ask the questions above of every company you call.