Thermal fogging
Definition
Thermal fogging is an odor-control method in which a heated fogging machine turns a deodorizing product into a fine fog that drifts into the same places smoke reached. Follow the product label and stay out until the crew says it is safe.
What it means
Thermal fogging is one of the deodorization methods restorers use after fire and smoke damage. A fogging machine heats a liquid deodorizer so it leaves the nozzle as a fine, dense fog. The idea is that the fog moves like smoke did, reaching cracks, cavities and fabrics the smoke odor got into.
It is a finishing step, not a cleaning step. The ANSI/IICRC S700 fire and smoke standard covers restoration cleaning and fire odor management, and the IICRC’s Odor Control Technician (OCT) certification covers odor control equipment, chemical options and how to apply them.
Why it matters to your home and your bill
Fogging cannot fix odor whose source is still there. If soot is left on surfaces or in ducts, the smell tends to come back. Ask the company what it will clean before fogging, which product it will use, and how long you and your pets must stay out. Ask for the product’s label and safety data sheet. EPA has warned, in the context of disinfectants, that it has not evaluated product safety and effectiveness for fogging unless the label includes directions for it. Our page on smoke odor removal compares fogging, ozone and hydroxyl methods.
Sources
- Odor Control Technician (OCT), Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (accessed 2026-10-19)
- ANSI/IICRC S700 Standard for Professional Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration, Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (accessed 2026-10-19)
- Can I use fogging, fumigation, or electrostatic spraying or drones to help control COVID-19?, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (August 5, 2026)
Updated October 19, 2026. Drafted with AI assistance and edited by Vincent Wallace. All glossary terms