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    Cleanup After a Flood

    Cleanup After a Flood

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    • Walls, hard-surfaced floors and many other household surfaces should be cleaned with soap and water and disinfected with a solution of 1 cup of bleach to 9 cups of water, making a 10% solution.
    • Be particularly careful to thoroughly disinfect surfaces that may come in contact with food, such as countertops, pantry shelves, refrigerators, etc.
    • Areas where small children play should also be carefully cleaned.
    • Wash all linens and clothing in hot water or dry clean them.
    • For items that cannot be washed or dry cleaned, such as mattresses and upholstered furniture, air dry them in the sun and then spray them thoroughly with a disinfectant. If still contaminated, discard.
    • Steam clean all carpeting. Dry thoroughly. If still contaminated, discard.
    • If there has been a backflow of sewage into the house, wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves during cleanup.
    • Remove and discard contaminated household materials that cannot be disinfected, such as wallcoverings, cloth, rugs and drywall.