n general, moldy, porous items (items that absorb water) cannot be adequately cleaned and should not be saved.
The following items need to be thrown away when you can see or smell mold and/or the materials have been under water:
- Carpet, carpet padding and rugs
- Upholstered furniture, mattresses and box springs
- Computers, microwaves, window air conditioning units and other electronics and appliances that have fans and were housed in moldy rooms
- Papers and books
- Fiberboard, insulation and disposable filters in your heating/cooling system.
Items that can typically be cleaned and kept include:
- Nonporous items like china, glass, jewelry, porcelain and metal
- All-wood furniture with mold growth but otherwise in good condition
- Some electronics and small appliances (depends on flooding conditions)
- Photographs, books and valuable or important legal documents with minor levels of mold growth
- Artwork, textiles, clothing that are not physically damaged
How soon after the flood waters recede should items be dried out or thrown away?
The quicker you can dry things out, the better; preferably within 2-3 days. After that, items may be more likely to grow mold and are more difficult to save.