Floods are frightening. All that water impacting everything from the walls and carpeting to furniture and clothing is a sight no homeowner wants to see.
If a flood has seemingly ruined your wardrobe, you may be inclined to throw everything out—and by all means, you should dispose of clothing that’s come in contact with black water. But if your clothes have only come in contact with clean or gray water, there are a few things you can do to disinfect and salvage your threads.
How To Clean Water Damaged Clothes
Floodwaters are usually contaminated with all sorts of germs and bacteria. Because of this, time is of the essence. You should always wear protective clothing like rubber gloves when handling water damaged clothes. Trust us, you don’t want contaminated clothes to come in contact with your skin.
High heat kills bacteria, so water damaged clothes should be washed and dried on the highest heat setting available. White clothes should be separated and dried outside where the UV rays can help kill any remaining bacteria.
What if My Clothes Are Growing Mold and Mildew?
Mold and mildew can grow on clothes if they’ve been left in a pile for too long. If mildew begins growing, you can soak your water damaged clothes in oxygen bleach and hot water before washing. Mildew can be tough to remove, so if your clothes are still badly mildewed, it may be time to shop for a new wardrobe.
Mold and mildew love to grow in warm, wet environments. Always remember to separate your flooded clothes and don’t let them sit in a heap for days.
Emergency Water Damage Services
Faced with a flood and need help now? Our IICRC-certified technicians are available all hours of the day to handle your immediate needs. Give us a call and we’ll be on your property in as little as 45 minutes.
Fast Flood Restoration San Diego
Pipes, appliance leaks, and torrential rain are some of the most common culprits behind a flood. If you’ve experienced a flood, don’t panic. Remain as calm as possible, and give Same Day Restoration a call. We have technicians on call 24/7 to handle water-related emergencies like floods and leaks.
Water damage doesn’t wait, and neither should you. Contact either San Diego and Orange County’s go-to restoration company and let’s restore your property today.
