Saving Flooded Textiles - Phoenix Business Group

Phoenix Business Group
Consumer Advocacy Services

SALVAGING WATER-DAMAGED TEXTILES

Cleaning up after a flood is not easy and properly salvaging valuable personal property requires expert advice. After the floodwaters recede and officials declare it safe to return to your home, you can take action to salvage and minimize damage to valuable textiles, such as clothes, quilts, costumes, laces, needlework, or tapestries. Because textiles vary in nature, they may respond differently to moisture. Most will be weaker and heavier when wet and will require extra care when handling. Here are a few tips from the AIC Textile Speciality Group:

Careful Handling: Beware of serious health hazards associated with mud and mold. Wear plastic disposable gloves, protective clothing, goggles, and if possible, use a respirator. If your textiles have been insured, photograph the items before you take steps to salvage them, and document your efforts. If you must move wet textiles, use a solid support or stretched canvas to carry them. Do not attempt to unfold extremely delicate fabrics if the fragile layers are stuck together. Wait until they are dry and consult a conservator.
Cleaning: To remove mud and debris, re-wet the textiles with gently flowing clean water or with a fine hose spray.
Drying: Gently press water out with the palm of your hand. Do not wring or twist dry. Remove excess water with dry towels, blotting paper or blank newsprint. This is especially important of the dyes are bleeding. Avoid stacking textiles during the drying process. Reshape the textile while it is still damp to approximate its original contours.
Ventilation: Do not place textiles in sealed plastic bags. Air dry indoors with the lights on to inhibit mold growth. Circulate the air with air conditioning, fans and open windows to inhibit mold growth. Use a dehumidifier in the room with the wet textiles. Drain the collecting container often.
Professional Help: You may need a textile conservator to assess the damage and recommend appropriate treatment. Call the American Institute for Conservation at (202) 452-9545 for more information on how to find a conservator in your area.

Back to the Information page.

Back to the Home page.

[ Real Property ] [ Consulting Services ] [ Owners ] [ Managers ] [ Realtors ]
[ Contractors ] [ Soil Engineers ] [ Inspectors ] [ Building Designers ] [ Appraisers ]
[ Structural Engineers ] [ Architects ] [ Lenders ] [ CPAs/Tax Preparers ] [ Public Relief ]
[ Friends & Families of Disaster Victims ] [ Photo Gallery ] [ Insurance ] [ Property Insurance Services ]
[ Public Insurance Adjusters ] [ Attorneys ] [ Other Professionals ] [ Healthcare ]
[ HMO/Health Insurer Honesty & Accountibility Act ] [ California Senate Bill 1283 ]
[ California Consumer Health Care Council ] [ The Law ] [ Laws & Regulations ] [ Proposed Legislation ]
[ Links To Other Resources ] [ About Us ]