Cleaning Up after a Disaster: Household Items

Publication Number 490-314, August 1996

General

Assume that the flood water contained sewage waste or other harmful materials unless you know otherwise. Wear protective gloves to handle wet clothing and other household items. Disinfect all clothing to kill harmful bacteria. Read labels on the available disinfectants for amounts to use and methods of application. Possible sanitizers include: chlorine bleach, quaternary ammonium compounds, pine oil and phenolic compounds. These products may be found in grocery stores, drugstores, hardware stores, or janitor and hospital supply outlets. Read labels for amount to use and application methods.

Liquid chlorine bleach is the least expensive and easiest disinfectant to find but chlorine bleach will damage some fibers. Chlorine bleach should not be used on these fibers and fabrics: wool, silk, mohair, spandex, non-colorfast fabrics and fabrics with certain finishes. Consult the permanent care label on garments to identify potential problems. If there is more concern about dealing with bacteria-contaminated than faded clothing, chlorine bleach may be used. Follow label instructions.

Cleaning is most efficient when water-based stains are removed with a water-based laundry system and oily stains are removed with a solvent drycleaning system. Oily petroleum stains are more easily removed in the laundry with liquid than powdered detergents. Most flood-damaged clothing will respond best to laundering because the stains are usually water-based but this is not always practical since some fibers and garments require drycleaning. Mud, clay soils, and bacteria should be flushed repeatedly with cold, clean water to dilute the contaminants before cleaning. Flood-damaged clothing may contain rust and other metals which are more easily removed in laundering; rust removers are sold in hardware stores.

The drycleaning process kills bacteria because of the chemicals used, the flushing action and steam finishing. Garments with a dryclean only label may be drycleaned; however, the cost should be weighed against the chances of success. Garments may need to be cleaned a number of times which will increase the cost. Decide whether clothing that must be dry cleaned is worth saving. Even if stains will come out, it may not be possible to refurbish a flood-damaged tailored garment. Clothing manufactured with many layers and fabrics may be difficult or impossible to return to something usable. Light-weight single layer garments are easier to refurbish. Wool garments that arrive at the drycleaner with moisture present may shrink when cleaned. Wool will absorb a great deal of moisture without feeling wet. When the garment shrinks, the drycleaner may be blamed for someone that was inevitable. Consult the local dry cleaner to determine what can be salvaged.

When cleaning flood-damaged clothing:

1. As soon as possible, separate wet clothing and decide what can be salvaged and what should be discarded. Separate clothing that can be washed from items that must be drycleaned. Sort washable clothing by color, fiber and type of clothing as you normally would for laundering. Rinse washable items several times in cold water to dilute soil. For heavily soiled items, soak overnight in cold water and detergent
2. Avoid storing wet clothing in plastic bags because wet clothing will mildew and develop unpleasant odors. If there is no way to wash clothing, remove as much water as possible and line dry. Select the best location for rapid evaporation of water; line drying might speed evaporation in warm weather while an inside location might be more effective during cold, humid weather. Fans and dehumidifiers will accelerate evaporation also. Do not dry near a heat source or in a machine dryer. If washing will be delayed, and there is a way to rinse in clean cold water, rinse clothing before line drying. Mud, clay and other particulate soil may be flushed out by spraying or dipping clothing in a container of water before drying. When clothing is dry, vacuum, shake or brush to remove as much soil as possible.
3. If the garments have not been flushed to remove particulate soils before washing, rinse in clean cold water until most of the surface soil is removed. Machine wash clothing with a detergent and a disinfectant. Consult the label information on the back of the detergent container and use the amount recommended for heavily soiled clothing. Set the machine on the longest wash cycle, the highest water level, and the hottest water temperature possible for the fabrics being washed. Do not over fill the wash basket. If an item is still soiled after laundering, wash until no more soil is being removed and dry. Machine dry at the highest temperature suitable for fabrics or line dry in the sun. Many bacteria die from exposure to the sun.

Based on information developed by Clemson Cooperative Extension following Hurricane Hugo. Revised for Virginia audiences by Virginia Cooperative Extension.

For more information, contact your local office of Virginia Cooperative Extension.