How to Clean Up Water Damage in a Home

Maximize air flow and circulation by opening windows, if the weather is dry, and setting up dehumidifiers or fans.

Use a wet-dry vacuum cleaner to extract as much water as possible from carpets. Hang them up outdoors in direct sunlight, if possible. Discard carpet padding. If carpets cannot be taken outside, use portable fans to speed up the drying process.

Scrub hard flooring surfaces such as tile and hardwood with water and detergent or a commercial disinfectant.

Discard books and papers unless they are valuable. Place valuable books and papers in a frost-free freezer. Photocopy important papers before discarding.

Vacuum as much water as possible from upholstered furniture, and use fans to accelerate drying. If the furniture is thoroughly saturated, consult a professional. Discard mattresses.

Wash anything made of fabric such as clothing, linens, and draperies according to the manufacturers' directions.

Clean hard, nonporous household items such as toys and dishes with detergent and hot water. Disinfect with a solution made of 1 cup bleach and 5 gallons of water.

Boil metal items such as pots, pans, and silverware in plain water for 10 minutes. Allow them to air-dry instead of drying with a towel.

Consult a professional regarding electronics damaged by flooding, or discard and replace them. Do not plug them in. If electronics are plugged in when the flooding occurred, turn off the power at the main source before unplugging them.