Post-typhoon cleanup tips from Amway

MANILA, Philippines - For many of us afflicted by natural disasters like typhoons and floods, cleaning up and restoring our homes is the number one priority when getting our lives back on track. Some may be facing these challenges for the first time. Fortunately, Amway has some handy advice (and artillery) for those undertaking this battle.

Cleanup Tools

Wear light and loose-fitting clothes. While some may be comfortable with rubber slippers and a handy walis tingting, it would be better to wear rubber gloves and boots at the cleanup site (you may not know what kind of debris you’ll encounter especially if there’s a backflow of sewage). If you suspect mildew and mold, wear a dust mask or disposable surgical mask. Be ready with trash bags, a mop, pail, water, and cleaning agents (liquid soap like Amway’s Dish Drops, disinfecting agents like Pursue, or even all-purpose cleaners like LOC, brushes/scrubbing pads). Also have a first-aid kit handy in case of cuts and small mishaps. Additional cleanup materials may include rags or sponges, paper towels, wet/dry vacuums, and a cleaning solution composed of the recommended 1:9 ratio of household bleach to water. Remember to have a change of clothes and clean yourself thoroughly after your own cleanup.

Precautions

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta recommends that anything that cannot be washed and disinfected must be thrown away. Any drywall or insulation that has come in contact with sewage and/or floodwaters must also be discarded to prevent the occurrence of molds, which leads to respiratory diseases. If possible, clean all hard surfaces (tiles, concrete, wood, metal) with hot water and reliable cleaners like Amway’s LOC multi-purpose cleaner (virtually a total cleanup kit in a bottle) or Pursue (best known for its antimicrobial and antifungal properties).

Cleaning Up

• If you’re working as a team, discuss what items should be prioritized and what items can be dealt with later.

• For those low on manpower but with resources like a working freezer, restoration workers advise that items that can’t be dealt with within 48 hours can be bagged and frozen — defrost and dry them out at a later time.

• When possible, rinse out wet objects with gentle running water (a hose set on fine spray is preferable in some cases).

• It is preferable to gently air-dry items indoors in a mold-free area away from direct sunlight. Ample circulation is a must (an electric fan or two is good for this purpose).

• Mud-covered furniture should be rinsed with clean water, then dried with clean cloths. If possible, raise it above floodwaters to avoid recontamination and treat with Pursue diluted in water to avoid unwanted fungal growth.

• Contrary to popular practice, a hair dryer (or iron or oven) will do more harm than good for books. Stand upright, inserting paper towels or unused newsprint in between pages to wick out moisture.

• Textiles: Air-dry clothing and other cloth items are recommended, but fragile fabrics require some TLC (blotting with paper towels or clean cloth), but get as much dirt/mud off them before laundering or dry-cleaning — re-immersing the cloth in clean water does the trick in some cases, while others wait for the mud to harden before gently scraping it off (do not do this for delicate fabric). In many cases, it is not advisable to wring or twist-dry items as it may lead to misshapen garments, carpets or tapestries. To ensure thorough but gentle laundering, use the SA8 system by Amway, which effectively removes stubborn stains but is gentle on colorfast and delicate fabrics.

For more information on Amway household cleaning products, call 814-8181 or visit www.amway.com.ph.