Flood Cleanup Instructions

Before Beginning Cleanup

• 1

  Determine whether or not it is safe to enter your home. Check with local officials if necessary.

• 2

  Make sure the power is off in your home and that no electrical devices are underwater while plugged in outlets.

• 3

  Assess the damage to your home then call your insurance agent. Take pictures of all the damage before cleaning up if your insurance covers flood damage.

• 4

  Dress in rubber gloves and boots and goggles to protect yourself in case the water is contaminated.

Flood Cleanup

• 5

  Plug a pump or wet-dry vacuum into a safe outlet or portable generator and remove as much water as possible.

• 6

  Remove all mud and large debris using a large shovel.

• 7

  Remove and properly discard all items that have been contaminated with sewage or flood water if they cannot be washed and disinfected. These items include mattresses, upholstered furniture, carpeting, clothing, drywall and insulation.

• 8

  Clean all hard non-porous surfaces thoroughly with liquid soap and hot water.

• 9

  Wash clothing and other washable items in a washing machine with hot water and detergent within 24 hours or discard of them.

• 10

  Open doors and windows and run a fan, air conditioner or dehumidifier to remove the moisture from the home and help things dry faster.

• 11

  Wash doors with a mixture of baking soda and hot water.

• 12

  Discard all food contaminated by flood water. Sealed cans can be sanitized with a mixture of bleach and hot water, according to the Washington State Department of Health.

After Cleanup

• 13

  Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and liquid soap or warm water and bleach after cleaning your home.

• 14

  Remove all clothing worn during the flood cleanup and wash them in a washing machine with hot water and detergent. Do not wash them with clothes that have not been contaminated.

• 15

  Spray a mold inhibitor on hard non-porous surfaces according to the manufacturers directions to prevent mildew and mold from growing on them.