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<br />To get rid of the stench that often accompanies flooding. scrub all <br />interior surfaces that got wet. Use hot sudsy water followed by double <br />strength sanitizing solution. Or use a household disinfectant, follow- <br />ing manufacturer's directions. Repeat scrubbing and rinsing if necessary. <br />You may also try sprinkling liberally with baking soda. <br /> <br />Odors in the basement may be harder to treat. If the above method doesn't <br />work, sprinkle bleaching powder (chloride of lime) over the floor. Let <br />it dry, then sweep it up. Remember, bleaching powder is caustic and <br />poisonous. Follow all the precautions on the label. <br /> <br />Mildew may appear if a warm spell follows a flood. Scrub mildewed floors <br />or woodwork with a mild alkali solution such as washing soda or tri-sodium <br />phosphate (four to six tablespoons to a gallon of water). Badly stained <br />walls will need new paint. <br /> <br />C. Cl ean Up <br /> <br />Shovel out mud and debris while it is still moist. Hose down the walls <br />to remove silt. Use double strength sanitizing solution on the floors <br />and walls. <br /> <br />Flooded wooden floors dry slowly. Don't build fires to speed drying as <br />this could cause cracking or splitting. However, keep the house tempera- <br />ture at 60 to 70 degrees to hasten drying. <br /> <br />Remove loose plaster. Plaster board, drywall, and similar coverings can <br />be ruined if immersed for along time. Remove the bad parts to improve <br />ventilation of the walls. <br /> <br />Before starting to salvage damaged furniture, decide which pieces are <br />worth restoring. Such decisions should be based on extent of damage, <br />cost of the article, sentimental value, and cost of restoration. Antiques <br />are probably worth the time and effort. Unless damage is severe, you can <br />probably clean, reglue and refinish antiques at home. <br /> <br />Solid wood furniture can usually be restored through slow drying and <br />proper repair. Take furniture outdoors and remove as many drawers, <br />slides and removable parts as possible. Some probably will be stuck <br />tight. so don't force them out from the front. Remove the back and push <br />out the drawer from behind. Clean off mud with hose, return furniture <br />to indoors to dry; reglue joints if you have the equipment. Slightly <br />warped areas may be removed and straightened. <br /> <br />White spots or cloudy film may develop on damp furniture that was not <br />totally submerged. Rub with a damp cloth dipped in turpentine or camphor- <br />ated oil, or in a solution of half a cup of household ammonia and half a <br />cup of water. Wipe dry at once and polish. <br /> <br />39 <br />