Flood Damage Cleanup: Proper Cleaning And Sanitation

Many household furnishings and items are often exposed to contaminated flood waters. The correct way of cleaning and sanitizing is a must for any flood damage cleanup process because it is important to get rid of pathogens and other harmful microorganisms that pose as health hazards within your home.

The following are recommended procedures and methods that you could employ when doing a flood damage cleanup:

Cellars - wash the walls and floors with a soapy water solution mixed with chlorine bleach to remove the grime and dirt; and at the same time killing the fungi or germs spores. Then rinse off with clean water by using a cloth rag and a mop. Ventilate and dry by putting fans and a dehumidifier. Always wear elbow length rubber working gloves to protect your hands while working.

Furniture - flood damage cleanup for house furniture should start with rinsing off the furniture with clean water to remove any attached grime or mud on the surface. Then prepare a warm soap suds mixture and wipe or brush the furniture surface as the need arises. Rinse out the suds then apply a disinfectant, but read the label and directions carefully first. Remember that when using any bleach disinfecting agent it should never be mixed with other cleaning chemicals which contain ammonia that are either in a powder or liquid form. Because when these two chemical combine they produce lethal fumes that are hazardous once inhaled.
- it is also suggested that when mixing a disinfecting solution, use the correct ratio and proportion of the chemical with water. This is to protect the surface of the furniture and achieve maximum sanitation efficiency.
- allow furniture to dry thoroughly under the sun or in an enclosed shaded space if the weather predicts rain or shower.

Household Tools and Children's Toys - the recommended flood damage cleanup for household tools and children's toys that were contaminated by the flood water is to soak and wash the items in a warm soapy water and then rinsing them with clean tap water. Dry the items by wiping them with a clean cloth rag and then spray or wipe on a disinfecting chemical solution. Disinfecting the tools and toys is necessary when performing a flood damage cleanup in any household to adequately remove the presence of harmful bacterial spores. But just like in any other cleaning guidelines, take every precaution when using bleach or any other sanitizing or disinfecting chemical sold commercially.

Food exposed to flood water - when flooding occurs it is inevitable that food and food utensils come in contact with the contaminated water. Foods that are raw or uncooked should either be cleaned thoroughly or thrown away. If bottled jars and capped or sealed foods within a bottle suffer cracks or their caps have been removed then discard them as well. Sealed cans and bottles in a good condition should be washed and soaked in a bleach disinfecting solution of 2 ounces (oz.) of bleach per gallon of water for a duration of five minutes. The flood damage cleanup process necessitates the proper cleaning and disinfecting of all food and other cooking paraphernalia which is used for eating or preparing food. Do not however, apply bleach on your silver ware or aluminum pots and pans since the bleach will ruin their smooth finish.

Electric Appliances and Equipment - when doing any flood damage cleanup remedial activity make sure to shut off the main electrical switch of the house. This is to adhere to the safety side and to avoid accidents like short-circuits. Most electrical appliances like refrigerator, television, heaters, etc, must never be used or turned on if you are not sure if it is thoroughly dried. Most electric appliances should be inspected by an expert and evaluated properly before it is used again.

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