Cleaning of Clothing and
Personal Property
Damaged by Hurricane Katrina
Q. I recently found out that my
house was flooded due to the hurricane and I have mold now. I'm not sure
what kind of mold but I am guessing maybe black mold. What do you recommend
doing as far as the furniture goes (cleaning, especially wood), I'm not
concerned about the house because it belongs to the military and they are
taking care of that. So, can wood be safe due to mold? Please get back to me
as soon as you can because I'm leaving for Gulfport soon and if you have
something for me to buy and I need to get it soon. Thanks! [Sept. 16, 2005]
A.
Buying what you need in advance of getting to Gulfport is certainly a smart
move on your part. Read the following two publications: (a)
the book Do-It-Yourself
Mold Inspection, Testing, Remediation, and Prevention; and (b)
the special report Mold
Home Remedy Recipes to learn how to make your own mold-killing
fungicides from non-bleach, readily available materials. Read the
Recipes special report before you leave for Gulfport to make a list
of materials for making the recipes. The report is sent to you by email
attachment within a few hours of your order.
Q. I am a
victim of hurricane Katrina. What do you suggest I do for my electronics
which seem only slightly molded on the outside. Is there mold on the inside
of my computer, stereo, tv, etc. What should I do?? [Sept. 16, 2005]
A.
It is possible that airborne mold spores created inside your home by
Hurricane Katrina may have traveled in air currents to enter ventilation
holes of your electronic items. While wearing an effective breathing
respirator, and while doing the cleaning outdoors, use cans of compressed
air to clean out the insides of your electronics, by blowing mold spores out
of the component insides.
Q.
My friend lives in Gulfport, MS, a city badly damaged by Hurricane Katrina..
Her fine antiques are developing mold on them. What is your recommendation
for the best product to clean them with as little as possible damage to
finish? [Sept. 13, 2005]
A.
Your friend should use Borax laundry detergent, a natural mold cleaner, in
warm water.
Q. I am
a Katrina hurricane survivor !!! I won't be able to salvage my home, but
am wondering if I can salvage some clothes? Is there a special detergent
or agent that can be used on washable clothes to remediate mold smell?
Also, does dry cleaning effectively remediate the
mold? [Sept. 8, 2005]
A. Sorry about your terrible loss of
your home and possessions due to Katrina. Try to remove mold from the
clothing by washing and scrubbing first with Borax laundry detergent, a
natural mold cleaner, in warm water. Dry
cleaning is also often an effective way to remove mold from clothing. Ask
your local dry cleaner for his or her feedback on your particular clothes
as to dry cleaning possibilities.
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