Best cleaning method- HEAVY dust/dirt

kzsnyder

My neigbors house collapsed. the foundation of this 1920's home gave way.  The home was deemed unstable and unsavable, and the entire home was knocked down.  They were able to save a lot of the items from the home, both before it was knocked down, and others have been dug out from the rubble.  This next week and in the weeks to come, they are going to begin the process of cleaning all the items saved.  books, toys, furniture, pens, shoes, you name it. 

Because its a mix of dust and dirt and drywall dust and concrete dust, im imagining that its going to be kind of diffictult to clean.  Any suggestions?

Mrs.B6302007

Vaccuuming by hand with the atachments will probably be where to start.  After that, anything like pillows, stuffed animals, etc. I would wash and dry.  Books and things like that I don't think there's much you can do but wipe them down over and over.

terbear_86

You might find some cleaning tips on rescue web sites, you know the kind that get contracted insurance work to clean up homes after fires and floods.

In my area its A-1 but you might want to look it up online. Sorry about the house btw, what a horrible thing to have to go through for your neighbors.

aMrsin09

I am late to this, but they need to be VERY careful.  If that home was built in the 20's it more than likely wasa built with Asbestos (sp?).

Cleaning the stuff themselves maybe very dangerous beyond washing their clothes.

Catwoman708

Probably vacuming with a shop vac with brush attachement would be the easiest and most efficient method. 

Do so in a well ventilated area, like outside or in a garage, away from a central heat and A/C system.  They should wear a mask, change the vacuum (and A/C filters) often, and they might want to wear earplugs or headphones if it's a loud vacuum. 

The biggest danger from asbestos or lead paints is long term exposure.  Also, if that sheetrock dust gets into the coils/fins of any nearby heat-A/C system, it can clog them up.  Any moisture will make it turn to plaster.  Very difficult and expensive to clean.