Owner`s manual

Additional resources:
Your county family living agent, your
local emergency government office, the
American Red Cross, the Federal
Emergency Management Agency
Related publications:
“Repairing Your Flooded Home,”
American Red Cross/Federal
Emergency Management Agency, 1992.
♦ Pour a disinfectant (chlorine, pine oil or phenolic) into the empty
washing machine. Then complete a 15-minute cycle at the “hot” water
setting.
♦ Unplug the dryer and wipe the drum and door with a cloth dipped in
disinfectant solution. Rinse with a cloth dipped in clear water.
♦ Leave the dryer door open until all parts are thoroughly dry —
preferably overnight.
FURNITURE
Before starting to salvage damaged furniture, decide which pieces are
worth restoring. Such decisions should be based on: the extent of damage,
cost of the article, sentimental value and cost of restoration. Antiques are
probably worth the time, effort and expense of restoration. Unless damage
is severe, you may be able to clean and refinish antiques at home.
♦ Don't try to force open swollen wooden doors and drawers. Instead,
take off the back of the piece of furniture to let the air circulate. You
probably will be able to open the drawers after they dry.
♦ Solid wood furniture can usually be restored, unless damage is severe.
It probably will need to be cleaned, dried and reglued. Wood alcohol
or turpentine applied with a cottonball may remove white mildew
spots on wood. Cream wood restorers with lanolin will help restore
good wooden furniture parts.
♦ Wood veneered furniture is usually not worth the cost and effort of
repair, unless it is very valuable. If veneer is loose in just a few
places, you may be able to glue it adequately.
♦ Upholstered furniture soaks up contaminants from floodwaters and
should be cleaned only by a professional. Get a cost estimate to see if
furniture is worth saving. Usually, flood-soaked upholstered pieces
should be thrown away unless they are antiques or quite valuable.
Information from: University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension, Minnesota Extension Service, Pennsylvania State University Cooperative
Extension Service, American Red Cross/Federal Emergency Management Agency
University of Wisconsin-Extension • Cooperative Extension