3 Tips for Cleaning Your Home After a Flood

7/22/2021 (Permalink)

Cleaning after damage by a flood can be a long process but it's necessary to avoid serious damages.

Floodwaters often contain mud and contaminants that have specific cleaning requirements. If your home has been damaged by a flood, these tips can help you with the cleaning process.

1. Remove Mud

One of the first steps of any flood clean process is to remove any mud that has been left behind. Use a shovel to remove as much mud as you can and then spray hard surfaces with a garden hose. If there is too much mud to remove on your own, you may want to contact a professional storm cleaning company in Roanoke, NC, to assist you.

2. Disinfect Your Kitchen

Because of potential contamination, the cleaning requirements for your kitchen focus on disinfection. Porcelain, plastic, glass, enamel, and china dinnerware can be disinfected by immersing it in a solution of two tablespoons of chlorine bleach per one gallon of hot water. Allow dishes to air-dry after disinfection, instead of drying them with a towel. Metal utensils, pans, pots, and silverware can be boiled in water for 10 minutes. Avoid using bleach on these items, because it may cause the metal to darken. Clean and rinse counters and cupboards with a chlorine bleach solution before putting your dishes away.

3. Clean Your Furniture and Household Items

Place rugs, furniture, clothing, and bedding outside to dry. Open windows and doors to increase air circulation and run fans and dehumidifiers to help dry out your house. Vacuum ceilings, walls, and floors to remove mildew and then wash with flood disinfectant. Mattresses should be discarded. Upholstered and solid wood furniture may be salvageable, but will probably require professional cleaning. Photographs and important papers can be frozen and professionally cleaned later.

The cleaning requirements for a flooded home can be substantial. However, with hard work and professional assistance, you can restore many of the items that have the most sentimental or economic value to you.