What To Salvage And What To Throw Away After Smoke Damage
Some things can be cleaned. Some can't. Here's how to tell, and what to do before you throw anything away.
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Before You Throw Anything Away
Photograph and list every item for your insurance claim. Your adjuster may want to see damaged items before they're thrown out.
Throw Away
- Food and drinks exposed to heat, smoke or firefighting water, even in sealed containers
- Medicine and cosmetics
- Burned mattresses, pillows and stuffed toys
- Anything with mold
Often Worth Saving
- Hard furniture (wood, metal)
- Dishes, glass and metal cookware
- Many clothes and fabrics, with professional cleaning
- Photos and papers, which can often be dried and restored by a specialist
- Jewelry and metal keepsakes
Electronics
Don't turn on electronics that were exposed to heat, smoke or water. Soot can short them out. Have them checked first.