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<br />Upholstered furniture may be impossible to salvage if it has been <br />thoroughly soaked. If the piece seems worth the effort, however, you <br />will need to clean and oil the springs, replace stuffing and clean the <br />frames. Upholstered furniture requires immediate attention to minimize <br />mildew. Brush to remove loose dirt, then vacuum to draw out the mildew <br />mold. If fabric is washable, sponge lightly with thick soap or deter- <br />gent suds, or wipe with a cloth wrung out with sanitizing solution. Use <br />a spray containing a fungicide to get rid of musty odors. <br /> <br />Dry books by placing on end with leaves separated. If books and valuable <br />papers are very damp, sprinkle cornstarch or talcum powder between the <br />leaves to absorb moisture; brush off after drying. When books are nearly <br />dry, apply low heat with an electric iron, separate pages to prevent <br />musty odors. If books and papers appear to have dried successfully, they <br />may disintegrate rapidly because of materials in the flood water. Any <br />important documents or papers should be photocopied as a precaution. <br /> <br />If water has seeped into the refrigerator or freezer, clean with santi- <br />tizing solution. If insulation is wet, and you don't replace it, the <br />appliance will have to be discarded eventually because it may run con- <br />tinuously, frost up on the outside and develop bad odors. <br /> <br />After their electric motors are cleaned, washers and dryers shquld be <br />sanitized. Pour a disinfectant (quaternary, chlorine, pine oil, or <br />phenolic) into the empty washing machine, then complete a l5-minute <br />cycle at the hot setting. Unplug dryer and wipe the drum with a cloth <br />.dipped in a disinfectant solution; rinse with cloth dipped in clear <br />water. Leave dryer door open, preferably overnight, until all parts <br />are dry. <br /> <br />Clothing, sheets, etc., should be hosed or rinsed with cool water to get <br />as much mud out as possible. Then wash with as much detergent as possible. <br />Bleach or other disinfectant should be used to kill bacteria. Don't use <br />bleach on woolens. <br /> <br />After drying, rugs and carpets can be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner and <br />then shampooed. <br /> <br />Cars and gasoline engines need to be thoroughly inspected and cleaned. <br />Electrical parts must be dry. Grit or silt in the oil, transmission or <br />gas lines can cause a lot of trouble. <br /> <br />Don't forget your yard. The drainage ways and culverts may have silted <br />in. If silt isn't too deep, your lawn should have no trouble. You may <br />need extra fertilizer to help it. <br /> <br />D. Financial Assistance <br /> <br />Collecting on Flood Insurance: One of the first things you should do <br />after the flood is contact your flood insurance agent. He will give you <br /> <br />40 <br />