Australia Storm Book

After The Storm - 1

Cleaning up After a Major Storm

General

When cleaning clothes soaked during storm flooding, the flood water may have been contaminated with sewage waste. Simply drying these garments is not enough. For safety's sake contaminated clothes must be disinfected to kill harmful bacteria. Liquid chlorine bleach is the most accessible, cheapest and easiest disinfectant to use in the home. However, chlorine bleach cannot be used on some garments. Drycleaning is also effective.

Tips

When cleaning flood-damaged clothing:

Separate wet items as soon as possible to keep clothing colors from running together. Sort out clothing that should be drycleaned.
Items to be drycleaned should be air-dried and taken to a cleaner as soon as possible. Wear plastic gloves when handling items you suspect may have been in sewage-contaminated water.
Do not dry clothes near a heat source such as a stove. Dry at air or room temperature.
Once dry, shake and brush garments to remove as much soil as possible.
Rinse washable items several times in cold water. If badly soiled, soak overnight in cold water and detergent. Wring out and air dry if you're unable to machine wash.
Machine wash clothes as soon as possible. Use detergent and a disinfectant. Use highest water level possible; don't overcrowd washer. Use hottest water temperature suitable for the garments. Wash for the longest cycle available. If available, dry in a dryer at the hottest temperature suitable for the fabric.
If an item is still stained after washing, rewash before drying. Drying may make some stains harder to remove.

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