If you have been the victim of a fire along with the resulting water damage you understand how devastating the loss of your personal belongings can be. The knowledgeable experts at American Hometown Services provide professional fire and water damage restoration services to help you with the process of cleaning and restoring your home along with as many of your personal items as possible.

Can Items be Salvaged After a Water or Fire Disaster?

Clothing: To remove mildew and the odor of smoke from clothing, wash the stain with warm water and soap, rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry in the sun. For stubborn stains, use a mixture of lemon juice and salt or a solution of diluted household bleach. Be sure to spot check for color fastness before you begin.
Cooking Utensils: For best results, wash your flatware, pots and pans, and cookware items in warm soapy water before rinsing thoroughly and polishing with a powered cleanser. Brass and copper items can be polished with a mixture of salt and lemon juice or a salt and vinegar solution.
Electrical Appliances: Never plug in or attempt to use your electrical items until they have been inspected by a service technician. If the fire department disabled the connection to your gas or electricity during the emergency contact the gas and/or electric company to arrange for a technician to restore the services to your home or business. Never attempt to turn them on yourself doing so could place you and your loved one in extreme danger.
Food: Canned food and food in jars may be washed in dish detergent and rinsed in clean water. Never attempt to salvage cans that are damaged in any way including cans that are dented or rusted. Discard any frozen foods that have thawed out immediately. To remove odor from inside your refrigerator and freezer, mix one cup of vinegar with one gallon of water and wipe it down with a clean white cloth. Place a piece of coal or an opened container of baking soda in your fridge and freezer to help remove any lingering odors.
Rugs & Carpets: Your carpets and rugs need to be completely dried to avoid damage and mold spores. Your American Hometown Services specialists will begin by making sure your rugs are completely dry before professionally cleaning your carpets or replacing them if the damage is beyond repair.
Leather and Books: Begin by wiping leather items down with a damp cloth. Shoes and purses may be stuffed with newspaper to ensure they retain their natural shapes. Keep in mind that items made from leather should be dried away from direct heat and the sun. Once dry, clean with a good quality saddle soap. Books should be dried out in a specialized freezer to remove moisture without causing damage to the delicate pages and bindings in the book, contact your local library for assistance.
Locks and Hinges: Locks made from iron should be dismantled and cleaned with oil. If the locks are unable to be removed, squirting machine oil into the bolt opening and keyhole is an excellent option while working the knob to ensure the oil is evenly distributed. Hinges should also be thoroughly cleaned and oiled.

Water & Fire Damage Restoration & More in Quincy, Macomb, Hamilton, Warsaw & East Alton Illinois | Hannibal, Missouri

For more information regarding professional fire and water damage restoration services, contact the knowledgeable experts at American Hometown Services today.