What can Wisconsinites keep and what should they throw away after a flood?
In general, it's best to dispose of anything you can't properly clean in order to prevent mold growth and damage in your home.
But if you're unsure of where to start, here are some tips from health officials on what should be kept and thrown away after a flood:
What damaged items can be kept after a flood?
If cleaned properly, items that did not soak up water can usually be kept after a flood, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Here are common items you can keep after cleaning, per the EPA:
Metal furniture
China dishware and ceramics
Silverware and other kitchen utensils
Plastic furniture
Jewelry
Glass
Here are some items that may be salvaged, but should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, the EPA says:
Photographs
Books
Bedding and blankets
Solid wood furniture
Clothing
Appliances and electronic devices
If you have precious items you would like the save, the EPA advises seeing a restoration specialist who may be able to properly and safely clean that type of item.
What food items can be kept after flood damage?
Additionally, the Wisconsin DHS says you can keep the following food items after a flood:
Undamaged, commercially canned foods after removing the labels and disinfecting with a solution of one cup bleach to five gallons of water
Refrigerated or frozen foods that do not show signs of spoilage and have not been thawed or left at room temperature for more than two hours
Baby formula that doesn't require water
What damaged items should be thrown away after a flood?
The EPA says you should discard items that can't be cleaned and dried, including:
Mattresses
Leather furniture
Medicine
Cloth upholstered furniture
Cushions and pillows
Wood veneer furniture
What food items should be thrown away after a flood?
The following food items should also be discarded after a flood, the Wisconsin DHS says:
Food not stored in waterproof containers
Damaged canned foods
Home canned foods
Food or beverages with screw-caps, snap-lids, crimped caps, twist caps and flip tops
Spoiled refrigerated or frozen food
Thawed frozen food
Perishable foods left at room temperature for more than two hours
How can I store or dispose of damaged items?
If you've had items damaged by floodwaters, you can drop them off at the city's two drop off centers with waived fees through Sunday, Aug. 17. The centers' regular hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., but hours are extended until 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
They're located at:
South: 3879 W. Lincoln Ave.
North: 6660 N. Industrial Road, enter from Mill Road
You can also request a bulky item pickup from the city by calling 414-286-CITY or online at milwaukee.gov/clickforaction.
If you need a dry place to store belongings, U-Haul facilities are offering 30 days of free storage to Milwaukee flood victims. Contact any of the 11 U-Haul locations in the Milwaukee area to arrange storage services.
More information about cleaning flooded basements, mold damage:
For more information about how to clean a flooded basement and prevent mold damage, check out our guide here.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What items to keep and throw after historic Milwaukee floods
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