Equipment and Supplies for Clean Up and Salvage
Stained Glass Artist Patrick Clark + volunteers wear protective gear after Hurricane Sandy in Rockaway Beach, NY
Check out what you have on hand for clean up and salvage, then make a list of other supplies and equipment you’ll need to borrow/purchase; this will be a time saver so you can keep work flowing smoothly. Having the right protective gear and sanitary supplies for you and those helping you are paramount to working safely!
Personal Safety
Protective Gear (“PPE” Personal Protect Equipment”):
Boots (rubber, or leather safety-toed)
Gloves (disposable latex, nitrile, rubber, and leather)
Hard hat
NIOSH-approved respiratory mask
NIOSH compliant respirator (for lead)
Overalls (disposable) or TYVEK suit
Plastic aprons
Splash-proof goggles
Bandana
You can buy these at a hardware or home improvement store
View the “Protect Yourself!” PPE video.
First Aid + Rest Station
Drinking water (1 gallon/person/day)
Plastic cups, plates, utensils
First aid kit
Eyewash kit
Sanitary supplies (antimicrobial soap, alcohol handwash, and disposable wipes)
General Clean Up
Equipment
Clothesline or nylon rope
Cordless drill and charger
Emergency lighting
Extension cords (heavy duty)
Fans and/or dehumidifier(s)
Flashlights and batteries
Garden hose with adjustable spray attachment
Hygrometer
Plastic clips or clothespins
Pumps
Scrub brushes, mops, buckets
Tables, sawhorses
Walkie talkie
Wet/dry vacuum cleaner
Supplies
Garbage bags
Plywood
Polyethylene sheeting
Rags, paper towels
Screws
Tape (duct)
Tarps
Triage + Salvage
Home
Old towels, sheets, bed pads for absorbing water and padding out work tables
Natural bristle brushes for removing dried mold and dirt
Vacuum cleaner with HEPA filter for removing dried mold and dirt
Cotton swabs and soft cloths for wiping dried mold and dirt off smooth/hard surfaces
Small tools (hammer, pliers, nail pullers, scissors, screw drivers, staple gun)
Duct tape, packing tape, strapping tape
Hardware/home improvement store
Fiberglass window screening to make drying screens and/or as protection when vacuuming dried mold
Nylon string and plastic clothes pins to hang photos and slides (by the corners), CD and durable papers, prints, etc.
PVC pipe or styrofoam to cut up support blocks to dry paintings
Kiddie pool(s) for rinsing or holding clean wet items
Plastic bins for sorting and/or rinsing as well as holding and transporting
Sponges for blotting, all sizes
Mineral spirits for removing dried mold from wood
Absorbent toweling (can be rinsed, dried and reused)
Gardening filter fabric (100% spun polyester)for carrying wet artwork, for stuffing out wet textiles and isolation layer from table tops
Sheet of Plexiglas for carrying large wet paper or textile or smaller sheets as rinsing support for wet paper
Plastic sheeting or house wrap (Tyvek) to partition/quarantine dry from wet items
Fabric store
100% polyester batting for stuffing out textiles or putting under painting for support as it dries face up.
Cotton tying tape for securing loose elements
Sweater drying frames for air drying
Grocery store
Styrofoam meat trays (all sizes) to sort small objects or to secure broken item
Wax paper, parchment paper or freezer paper for preparing book covers, artworks or photos for freezing.
Paper towels for absorbing water
Distilled water
Small plastic cups to hold screws, labels, etc. can be marked with a Sharpie marker
Ziploc bags, all sizes, to keep CDs, audio tapes, VCR tapes wet if already soaked
Office supply store
Bubble wrap for supporting and stuffing
Unprinted newsprint or large roll of plain white paper to cover salvage tables and work surfaces.
Paper tags for ID
Sharpie markers for writing on packaging
Milk crates for packing out items to be frozen
Clipboard and yellow pads
Masking tape and strapping tape for closing boxes hanging up signs
