CLEANING KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

Before you start, assemble these supplies:

· Plenty of plastic trash bags, paper towels, clean rags.

· A shovel for mud.

· Boxes or other containers to remove mud and debris.

· Broom and dust pan (or folded newspaper).

· Bleach, disinfectant, clean water.

· Buckets, mops, scrub brushes.

· Gardening gloves to pick up broken glass; rubber gloves for scrubbing.

The Kitchen

Clean up mud and debris on the floor first. If you’re shoveling, place the container – a sturdy cardboard box will do – next to the area where you are working. Fill the container, and then dump it outside. Once you get most of the mud out, throw out broken and cracked dishes and chipped glasses.

Clean Top to Bottom

Clean from top to bottom so you won’t drip dirty water on clean surfaces. Add a few drops of bleach to the cleaning water in case the water has bacteria in it. Clean all of one type of surface first. Clean the ceiling first, followed by the walls, cabinets, and the counter tops. Then clean inside the cabinets.

To clean appliances, use a good grease cutter such as Formula 409.

For cleaning the inside of refrigerators and freezers (which should be unplugged), a baking soda solution is ideal. Wipe it once, and then wash it off with clean water. If the refrigerator gasket has mildew, use a mild bleach solution to kill it. Wipe off coils on the back of the refrigerator.

When the refrigerator defrosted, it probably leaked into the drain pan at the back of the appliance. Take off the safe plate at the bottom, pull the drain out, empty it outdoors, then wash and dry it in the sun. Ventilate the refrigerator /freezer with both doors open.

Once the freezer is sanitized, place an open box of baking soda or activated charcoal inside to absorb odors. If odors persist in the house because of the refrigerator, set out a bowl of white vinegar to absorb the smell.

If the dishwasher has a bad odor, sprinkle baking soda on the bottom and keep the door open. If you have stored dishes in the machine, wash them by hand.

Bleach is a good sanitizer and deodorizer.

Baths

v Bathtubs that have been storing water should be sanitized before they are used for bathing.

v Toilets also should be sanitized, as brackish or contaminated water may have come up the drain.

v It is also a good idea to wash the whole bathroom with water containing bleach or ammonia. Any Lysol-type disinfectant can be used.

v Wear rubber gloves while you are doing this disinfecting to protect your skin from irritation.

· If you are unable to tackle a huge cleaning project as a result of the hurricane, most homeowner insurance policies will cover the cost of professional cleaning.

· Take “before” photographs of the kitchen, bath and other areas of the home to be cleaned as proof of their condition.

· Use services that are licensed, bonded and insured.

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