Common causes
- Candle soot — especially scented or poorly trimmed candles.
- Fireplace or furnace soot.
- Filtration lines — air pulled through gaps under baseboards leaves dark lines on carpet.
- Thermal ghosting — outlines of framing on cold walls or ceilings.
Is it mold?
Soot lines are usually straight, follow air paths or framing, and wipe as a greasy black smudge. Mold tends to be blotchy and appears in damp areas. If unsure, see signs of mold.
Fixes
- Trim candle wicks and burn fewer scented candles
- Have fireplaces and furnaces serviced
- Seal gaps under baseboards
- Clean with dry soot sponges before washing
Heavy soot from a fire or puff back needs professional cleaning — see puff back cleanup.
Soot you can’t remove?
Call (385) 250-2825 — answered live 24/7 by the Vault crew.