Cleaning Up
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Cleaning Up

General Tips

  • Throw away anything that cannot be cleaned and sanitized or that was exposed to sewage.
  • Throw away any food that has come into contact with the floodwater, food in cans or bottles that are bulging or leaking, and refrigerated or frozen foods that reached temperatures above 41 degrees for four or more hours. For more information, see www.extension.iastate.edu/DisasterRecovery/flood.htm or www.idph.state.ia.us/adper/common/pdf/flood/emergency_discard_facts.pdf
  • Appliances should be checked by a service technician before using. Refrigerators and freezers may be reusable if the insulation is not wet and the item is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.
  • Solid wood furniture often can be restored. Wood veneer furniture may not be worth the expense of restoration.
  • Upholstered furniture, rugs, curtains, etc. should be steam-cleaned and allowed to thoroughly dry.
  • To disinfect solid items, use a solution of 1/4 cup bleach to 1 gallon water.

Getting rid of things

In Cedar Rapids’ flood zones

  • Put items at curbside, not in the alley.
  • Separate items into four piles: garbage; hazardous waste (paints, solvents, cleaning solvents, herbicides); appliances, TVs, computer monitors; and yard debris.

In Cedar Rapids outside flood zones

  • Put water-damaged items into the same kinds of piles and put at normal collection points. Tie carpet and padding into 2-by-3-foot rolls.
  • Yard waste collect is suspended until further notice.
  • The requirement to use a $1.25 sticker for extra garbage bags is temporarily waived.

In Iowa City flood areas

  • Residents are being asked to use a “four-pile” system to sort the waste from their home or business. The piles should be placed at the curb.
  • The four piles are: Household hazardous waste (such as paint, fertilizers, cleansers); appliances, electronics and gasoline-powered equipment; yard waste; garbage (everything else).

Disposing of sandbags

  • Cedar Rapids: City crews will pick up sandbags from the flood area. Leave sandbags 1 foot from the curb, and keep them separate from trash and tree debris. Outside the flood area, deliver sandbags to the corner of 16th Avenue and Williams Boulevard SW. If you have 100 or more sandbags in a single pile, call (319) 286-5802 to arrange pickup.
  • Iowa City: Sandbags can be disposed of at the Iowa City Landfill, 3900 Hebl Ave., or the City Equipment Facility, 1200 S. Riverside Dr.