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Short answer
Treat anything floodwater touched as contaminated. Curtains that can be washed usually can be saved if you wash and dry them within a day or two. Upholstered sofas, cushions and mattresses soaked through by floodwater usually cannot, because the foam and filling hold dirty water and grow mould. Follow your local authority's advice, and wear gloves while cleaning.
What can usually be saved?
| Item | Usually | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Washable curtains and sheers | Can be saved | Polyester washes clean and dries quickly |
| Curtains above the water line | Can be saved | Wash them anyway; damp air reaches them |
| Lined, velvet or coated curtains that were soaked | Ask a professional cleaner | Linings, pile and coatings can be damaged |
| Sofas and chairs soaked through | Usually replace | Foam and filling hold contaminated water |
| Loose cushion covers | Can often be washed | The foam inside usually cannot be saved |
| Outdoor cushions | Covers often; foam depends | Quick-dry outdoor foam fares best |
Watch out
Floodwater often carries sewage, mud and chemicals. Wear gloves and closed shoes, keep children away while you clean, and follow the advice of your local authority.
How do you clean flood-affected curtains?
- Take curtains down as soon as it is safe, and shake or brush off loose mud outside.
- Rinse in clean, cool water to remove silt before washing.
- Wash according to the care label, on its own, with a normal detergent. Do not use more detergent than usual.
- Dry them fully within a day or two: rehang slightly damp in a well-ventilated room, or dry them flat in the shade.
- Check again a week later for mildew spots, especially in hems and headings.
See How to Wash Curtains and Mouldy Curtains.
Can a flooded sofa be saved?
If floodwater soaked into the seat or back, the foam, padding and often the wooden frame have absorbed contaminated water, and mould usually follows. In most cases the sofa should be replaced. If only the legs or the very bottom were splashed and the upholstery stayed dry, an upholstery cleaner may be able to clean and dry it.
A solid frame that is undamaged can sometimes be stripped and reupholstered with new foam and fabric. See Reupholster or Buy a New Sofa?.
How do you dry the room and stop mould?
- Open windows and doors when the weather allows, and run fans.
- Use a dehumidifier or air-conditioning once the power is safe.
- Do not rehang curtains until the walls, windows and room have dried out.
- Keep stored fabrics off the floor and away from damp walls.
How do you prepare for the next flood?
- In flood-prone homes, choose polyester curtains that wash and dry quickly.
- Choose sofas with legs, and removable, washable covers.
- Keep curtains ending just above the floor rather than pooling on it.
- When a flood warning comes, lift cushions and loose covers upstairs or onto tables, and tie curtains up off the floor.
Frequently asked questions
Can curtains be saved after a flood?
Usually, if they are washable and you wash and dry them within a day or two. Lined, velvet or coated curtains are best taken to a professional cleaner.
Can a sofa be saved after a flood?
Usually not if floodwater soaked into the seat or back, because the foam and filling hold contaminated water and grow mould.
How soon should flood-affected fabrics be cleaned?
As soon as it is safe, and dried within a day or two, to limit mould.
Is floodwater dangerous on fabric?
It often carries sewage, mud and chemicals, so treat anything it touched as contaminated, wear gloves and follow local authority advice.
Curtain maker, upholsterer or designer?
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