Housecleaning is always a chore, but after a disaster, such as Hurricane Katrina, clean-up is key to getting everyone back on their feet and living as normally – and safely – as possible again.
Proper cleaning is vital because of the likelihood of contamination from floodwater or storm surge. Illness and disease are a primary concern and that’s why effective clean-up so important. This article makes cleaning recommendations for Hurricane Katrina victims to help them determine what to clean, how to clean, and ways to clean effectively, yet inexpensively. I know the trauma of hurricanes firsthand.
Living in North Carolina and on the Texas Gulf Coast, I’ve been through hurricanes, so I know what it’s like to go days without a hot meal, a shower, a phone, or electricity. The worst part is your inability to think clearly about even simple steps and processes, like what to clean or how to go about cleaning in this kind of circumstance.
For those with homes who are starting to begin the clean-up process, here are some simple cleaning guidelines and tips to help you make you home habitable again.
Determine the type of water damage you have
Normally, the problems associated with hurricanes are related to water. Specifically, it’s the type of water that determines how to begin the cleaning process. From the outset, victims should determine whether their water damage is from clean water or dirty water. If damage was done by rain water, then clean up is easier and usually only requires drying out the wet items.
If the water damage was from dirty water, such as storm surge or rising flood waters which could be contaminated by sewage, then the clean up must be more extensive and thorough. In the case of dirty water contamination, the Centers for Disease Control recommends that items such as mattresses, carpeting, carpet padding, upholstered furniture, foam and paper objects, and stuffed toys (unless they can be put in the washer with bleach) be thrown away because they cannot be washed or disinfected.
Thorough cleaning only requires simple equipment and cleaners
It’s not necessary to purchase expensive cleaning products in order to clean effectively and to decontaminate. In fact, only a few – but key – cleaning products are necessary to disinfect household surfaces and items.
These include laundry soap (for washing fabrics, sheets, and clothing), dish soap for all purpose washing, and bleach, such as Clorox. Dish soap and bleach can be purchased very inexpensively and can be used to make multiple gallons of disinfecting all-purpose cleaner.
To begin clean up, collect tools and cleaning equipment. Gather items such as buckets, rubber gloves and boots, eye goggles to protect eyes from splashes, paper towels, scrub brushes, rags, sponges, bleach, cleaners, trash bags, spray bottles, and fans for drying.
Recipe for Disinfecting Cleaner
In a bucket, add 1½ cups of bleach and two tablespoons of dish soap to one gallon of water.
Use this to fill spray bottles and create cleaning buckets. Empty hairspray or other spray bottles can be used to create your own cleaning sprays. Be sure to mark all bottles and buckets clearly with the contents and keep out of reach of children and pets. Never pour bleach or bleach water into any other cleaners, especially if they contain ammonia, as this can cause dangerous, toxic fumes.
Contain contamination with three bucket cleaning
When you’re ready to begin cleaning, be sure to use a three bucket cleaning system. This will help keep clean water “clean” and dirty water “dirty.” Rinse rags, sponges, and mops in the clean water bucket and wring out into the “dirty water bucket.”
You’ll also want to have a soaking bucket of bleach and soapy water where rags, sponges, and mops can be placed after use to clean these items. The three bucket system will help you prevent the spread of contamination. It’s also important to keep children and pets out of the house while you’re cleaning and decontaminating.
When you clean, be sure to wipe down all hard surfaces, especially in areas like the kitchen where you eat. Every surface in the kitchen should be wiped down, including the inside of ovens, stoves, refrigerators, and dishwashers, countertops, cabinets, and sinks.
Wash all dishes with dish soap and a teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water used. If you have electricity and can use a dishwasher, add soap and then add 1/2 cup of bleach to the wash cycle to disinfect dishes and utensils.
When cleaning walls and other household surfaces, always work from top to bottom. Use the bleach and dish soap solution to mop floors with, always being sure to wring dirty water into the dirty water bucket. If possible, use hot water to clean with. Make sure wood furniture, floors, concrete, walls, woodwork, doors, and windows are all washed.
Be sure to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from chemicals and from contamination. Wear rubber boots if your home had flooding or storm surge and be sure to clean both gloves and boots each day after using. If you are interested in just washing your hands, the CDC recommends using ½ teaspoon of bleach into a gallon of water to use for hygiene purposes.
From my heart to your home
If you have gone through Katrina and have any other cleaning questions, or there is any way I can help or assist you, please email me. My family's prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
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Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Everydayclean.com Calender -- the calendar that helps you end the power struggle with your house. Keeping a clean home is about knowing what to clean when. Virtually everything that needs to be cleaned is on this calendar in a year-round cleaning schedule that helps you keep your house clean easier and faster. Click here for more information.
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