SALVAGE TIPS
Clothing:
Soot, smoke and water stains can often be washed from clothing. Use the
following formula.
- 4-6 tablespoons of TSP, - (Tri-sodium phosphate) (2 tablespoons of
- sodium) - hypochlorite can be substituted)
- 1 cup of household chlorine bleach
- 1 gallon of water
- Mix well, soak clothing, rinse with clear water and dry well
- Wear plastic gloves
Mildew may be removed by washing the fresh stains in soap and water, rinsing
and drying in the sun. NOTE: mildew is a bacteria growth, not simply dirty.
If stain and odor are not removed initially try: Lemon juice and salt, or 1
tablespoon of perborate bleach in 1 pint of lukewarm water, or diluted solution of
household chlorine bleach.
Cooking Utensils:
Wash pots, pans, flatware with soapy water, rinsed, and polished with a fine powdered
cleaner.
Soak wood utensils in soap and water to insure smoke particles are out.
Electrical Items:
Household wiring may have been water damaged, have inspected by an electrician.
Gas or electrical services shut-off? Call the utility company to check and restore these
services.
Do not use appliances if wet or damp, until they are checked by an appliance service
person.
Flooring and Rugs:
Linoleum and vinyl floor coverings that water is beneath may have to be removed.
Dampness can cause odors and warp floors.
Let floor dry completely, prior to replacement of floor coverings. If mildew is not killed,
odor will return.
Rugs and carpeting must be allowed to dry thoroughly. Flush dirt out first. Dye in rugs
will bleed worse the longer they remain wet.
Lay rugs flat and expose them to circulation of warm dry air.
Wall to wall carpet is usually better cared for if left in place. It can be cleaned
professionally or with a commercial rental machine. Rest retching may be needed.
Brush pile carpets in one direction to dry.
If furniture cannot be removed, cover legs with aluminum foil or plastic to avoid rusting or
stains on carpet.
CAUTION - You can receive an electric shock if vacuum is not designed to pick up
water.
For more information, contact your local carpet dealer.
Food:
Beverages, food and medicines exposed to heat, smoke or soot should be
discarded.
Remove odor from your refrigerator or freezer:
Wash inside with a solution of baking soda and water
Or use 1 cup of vinegar or household ammonia to 1 gallon or water
Baking soda in an open container, or a piece of charcoal can be placed in
refrigerator or freezer to absorb odors
Leather and Books:
Wipe leather goods with a damp cloth, then a dry cloth.
Stuff purses and shoes with newspapers to retain shape.
Leave suitcases open.
Leather goods should be allowed to dry in a well ventilated area away from direct sun or
heat.
Use of a polish or saddle soap on smooth leather items can restore necessary lanolin and
oils.
Suede items can be brushed with a light steel wool, fine wire brush or fine sandpaper.
Books can be dried by placing them on end, following by pressing the book together -
when reasonably dried, alternate drying and pressing to help prevent mildew until
thoroughly dried.
Sprinkling cornstarch or talc between the pages will aid in drying of very damp books -
leave powders on for several hours and lightly brush off.
If drying of books will be delayed place in cold storage to delay mildew from forming.
Consult a dry cleaner for heavily stained leather garments.
Locks and Hinges:
Take apart, wipe with kerosene and oil.
If they cannot be removed, squirt machine oil through bolt opening or keyhole and work
knob to distribute the oil.
Mattresses:
Reconditioning an innerspring mattress at home is very difficult, if not impossible - replace
or take to a company that builds or repairs mattresses.
It is impossible to remove smoke odor from pillows, replacement is best.
Money, Coins, Savings Bonds:
Handle burned money as little as possible. Attempt to encase each bill or portion
of a bill in plastic wrap for preservation. If money is only half-burned or less (if half
or more of the bill is intact), you can take the remainder to your local Federal
Reserve Bank for replacement. Ask your personal bank for the nearest one. Or
you can mail the burned or torn money via FIRST CLASS REGISTERED MAIL
to:
US Treasury Department
Main Treasury Building, Room 1123
Washington, DC 20220 Mutilated or melted coins can be taken to the Federal Reserve Bank, or mailed
via FIRST CLASS REGISTERED MAIL to:
Superintendent, US Assay Office
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
If your US Savings Bonds have been mutilated or destroyed, write to:
US Treasury Department
Bureau of Public Debt
Division of Loans and Currency
537 South Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60605
Attn: Bond Consultant
Include name(s) and address(s) on bonds, approximate date or time period when
purchased, denominations and approximate number of each.
Walls, Furniture and Draperies:
To remove soot and smoke from walls furniture and floors, do the following mix
together:
- 4-6 tablespoons of TSP
- 1 cup Lysol or any chloride bleach
- 1 gallon warm water
- wear rubber gloves when cleaning.
Wash articles, rinse with clear warm water, and dry thoroughly.
Walls may be washed down while wet, use a mild soap detergent, wash from the
floor up, rinse immediately, wash ceilings last.
Do not repaint until walls and ceilings are completely dry.
Wallpaper - contact the local wallpaper dealer for more information. Loose
wallpaper can be reattached with a commercial paste.
Wood Furniture and Fixtures:
Smoke and soot will often travel to areas where the fire has not reached.
Therefore, for smoke and soot damage as well as water damage, care must be
taken when cleaning wood furniture and fixtures to prevent surface scarring:
- Wipe off all finished surfaces with a soft cloth dampened with a mild
- cleaning solution
- Remove all drawers and open cabinets so they can dry thoroughly. This will
- prevent sticking.
- Clean friction surfaces (tracks and guides) with a stiff brush and cleaning
- solution.
- Dry thoroughly; wet wood can mold and decay. Open doors and windows
- for ventilation and if necessary, turn on a heater or air conditioner.
- If mold is present or forms, wipe the area with a cloth soaked in a mixture
- of water and kerosene or Borax dissolved in water.
- Do not dry furniture in the sun. The wood may warp and twist out of shape.
- To remove white spots or film, rub the surface with a cloth soaked in a
- solution of 1/2 cup of household ammonia and 1/2 cup of water. Wipe dry
- and polish with furniture wax or a solution of 1/2 cup turpentine and 1/2 cup
- of linseed oil.
- You can also rub the wood surface with a 4/0 steel wool pad dripped in
- liquid polishing wax, wipe with a soft cloth and then buff.
- For draperies damaged by smoke or odor, a reputable drapery cleaner
- should be contacted for a free estimate.
CAUTION: Most furniture polishes and the turpentine-linseed solution are
flammable. The cloth used in applying them is susceptible to spontaneous
ignition so hang the cloth outdoors to allow drying.
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