What Items Can Be Saved After Flood Damage?

The type of flood water plays a big role in what can be saved. Clean water from a broken pipe or rain leak is easier to handle than contaminated water from a sewer or river overflow. Items that touch black water are harder to save because of health risks, so many porous items must be thrown away.

If you live in Cincinnati, you know how quickly water can rise. Always treat any flood water as potentially dirty until you know its source. When in doubt, it is safer to discard porous items that soaked up the water, especially if they cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried.

Glass jars, bottles, and dishes can usually be cleaned and reused. Metal pots, pans, and utensils are often salvageable after washing. Sealed plastic containers and bins can be wiped down and kept. Hard plastic toys and tools may be saved if they dry fully.

Porous items like wood, fabric, and paper are harder to save but not always lost. Wood furniture can often be dried slowly and cleaned, especially if it is solid wood rather than particleboard. Clothing and linens may be washed in hot water with detergent and dried completely to remove mold.

The key is speed. The longer these items stay wet, the more likely they will warp, stain, or grow mold. If you can dry them within a day or two, you have a better chance. For anything with deep padding, like mattresses or pillows, it is usually safer to replace them.

Solid wood furniture, after drying and cleaning

Cotton and synthetic clothing, if washed promptly

Towels and blankets, if they dry fully without odor

Leather goods, if cleaned and conditioned quickly

Photographs, if you rinse them gently and air dry face up

Start by sorting items into three piles: clearly save, clearly toss, and unsure. For the unsure pile, consider the item's value and how hard it is to replace. A sentimental photo might be worth trying to save, while a low-cost particleboard shelf is not. Use your judgment based on the water type and how long things stayed wet.

Act quickly to reduce damage. Move items to a dry area, open windows, and run fans if it is safe. For help with a large cleanup, local water damage pros can assist with drying, cleaning, and deciding what is salvageable. They also handle water damage inspection and documentation, which can help with your insurance claim. Policies vary, and your insurer decides what is covered.

Ask yourself: Is this item easy to clean and dry?

Does it have sentimental value that makes it worth extra effort?

Can you replace it for less than the cost of cleaning?