Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Clean Up Tips Offered After Storms

Barbara A. Holt, Ph.D.

Clark County Extension Agent --

Family and Consumer Sciences

Cooperative Extension Service

CLEANING UP

After the initial shock and survival of the tornado that swept through central Arkansas, the next step for many people is to salvage what remains of their possessions.

Windows and roofs blown away left many homes exposed to the rain that followed. Items that were not affected by wind may have become damaged by water coming into homes. Deciding what can be saved and what must be given up and thrown away can be a painful process.

Drying books and family papers should be done slowly. Place books on end with leaves separated and when they are partially dry, pile and press them to keep pages from crumping.

Alternately drying and pressing until books are throughly dry helps prevent mildew. A fan can be used to hasten drying.

If books and papers are very damp, sprinkle cornstarch or talcum powder between the leaves to absorb moisture. After several hours, brush off the powder.

When books are nearly dry, apply low heat with an electric iron to separate pages and prevent musty ordors. You may want to use this tedious process with only valuable books.

Wooden furniture can be salvaged through slow drying and proper repair. Before starting to save damaged furniture, decide which pieces are worth restoring. Base these decisions on the extent of damage, cost of the article, sentimental value and cost of restoration.

Antiques probably are worth the time, effort and expense of restoration. Unless damage is severe you may be able to clean, reglue and refinnish antiques at home. Extensive repair or re-veneering should be done at a reliable furniture repair shop.

Solid wood furniture usually can be restored unless damage is severe. You may need to clean, dry and reglue it. Slightly warped boards may be remvoed and straightened.

Wood veneered furniture usually is not worth the cost and effort of repair unless it has sentimental value. If veneer is loose in just a few places you may be able to repair it.

Upholstered furniture may be salvageable, depending on its general conditions. Wet pieces will need to be cleaned and dried and mildew removed. If damage is extensive you may have to replace padding and upholstery. This is expensive, so it might be wiser to put the money on a new piece of furniture.

Any furniture worth repairing should be completely cleaned, dried and stored in a dry, warm, well-ventilated place until you have time to repair it.

Rugs and carpets must be dried as soon a possible to prevent mildew. Pull up waterlogged rugs immediately to prevent further damage to the floor and dry them outdoors in the sunlight.

To get heat and air to carpets, open windows if the weather permits, or use electric fans or lights. Do not try to vacuum, sweep or shampoo carpets until they are throughly dry.

Renovating a good mattess is too hard to do at home, but if it must be used temporarily, scrape off surface dirt and expose it to sunlight to dry as much as possible.

Feather pillows and ticking can be washed by hand or together in a machine. Polyester fiberfill and foam rubber pillows should be hand washed.

Fact sheets with more details about salvaging household items and restoring home interiors are available through the Clark County Cooperative Extension Office at 423 Clay Street in Arkadelphia or call 246-2281.