How to Clean Up a Sewage Spill

Wear goggles, rubber gloves, rubber boots and a dust mask. These items will prevent you from coming into direct contact with the sewage. Remove all furniture, rugs and everything else that can be moved from the area.

Dispose of any carpets, rugs, carpet padding or other saturated items that cannot be completely cleaned and disinfected. Throw rugs with little spillage may be able to be washed and disinfected. For items that you are unsure about, throw them out instead of risking further contamination.

Remove piles of solid waste with a shovel and plastic bag. Double bag the sewage and dispose into a trash container.

Clean hard surfaces such as concrete, metal, linoleum and hardwood floors using mild detergent and hot water. Rinse with one gallon of water mixed with one tablespoon of bleach. Allow the area to air dry.

Remove and then replace drywall and plasterboard saturated by the sewage. For plasterboard or drywall that was only slightly hit with sewage, clean and disinfect as you did for the hard-floor surfaces.

Clean all furniture, appliances, sinks, showers, tubs and toilets with detergent. Rinse with one tablespoon of bleach to one gallon of water.

Throw away or disinfect all brooms, mops and brushes that were used for the sewage cleanup. Open all doors and windows to bring in fresh air. You can use heaters and fans to help air the area out.