Contents cleaning after fire, smoke and water

What contents cleaning covers

Contents are everything in the building that is not part of its structure: furniture, clothing, kitchenware, electronics, books, rugs, toys and decor. After a fire, smoke event or water loss, these items can be damaged or simply affected by odor and residue. Contents cleaning is the process of evaluating, cleaning and, where needed, moving and returning them.

Why it matters

Replacing a whole household is expensive and emotional. Some items cannot be replaced at all, such as photos and keepsakes. Professional cleaning can bring many items back to usable condition, and the sorting step helps you avoid throwing away things that could have been saved.

What you can do first

• Leave soot-covered items where they are until they can be documented.
• Do not wipe or wash smoke-damaged fabrics at home, which can set stains.
• Do not turn on electronics or appliances that got wet or were close to heat.
• Set aside valuables, documents and medications that you can safely move.
• Make a list of important belongings and take photos of the damage.
• Remove food that may have been exposed to smoke, heat or contaminated water.

How we handle contents

Following our restoration process, the contents step starts with a walk-through. We look at what was affected, discuss priorities with you and sort items into those that can be cleaned, those that need specialty care and those that cannot be saved.

When items need to be moved, they are packed and labeled so they can be tracked. Different materials get different cleaning: hard goods may be cleaned and wiped down, textiles washed or treated, and odor handled with deodorizing methods suited to the material. Cleaned items are checked, repacked and either returned to the home or held until the rooms are ready.

Common items and how they are treated

• Clothing and linens: washed, or treated with specialty methods when smoke or soot is heavy.
• Hard goods like dishes, pots and glassware: cleaned and sanitized.
• Electronics: evaluated carefully, since soot and moisture can cause trouble inside the casing. Do not power them on until they have been looked at.
• Furniture: wood and metal pieces can often be cleaned and restored, while heavily soaked upholstery may not recover.
• Documents, books and photos: handled gently and assessed for what can be dried or cleaned. Tell us early which ones are irreplaceable.
• Rugs and soft toys: cleaned where the material allows.

What if something cannot be saved

Sometimes an item is beyond repair or not worth the cost of cleaning. We will say so, show you why and note it for your inventory so it can be included in your claim. We will talk with you before anything is discarded, and photographs help you decide.

Cleaning with the building in mind

Contents work is tied to the structure. If we clean your belongings and then return them to a space that still smells of smoke or is still damp, they pick up the odor again. That is why this service pairs well with fire and smoke restoration or water damage restoration, so the rooms and the belongings are finished at about the same time.

Keeping track of everything

When belongings are moved, items can end up in boxes, on shelves and in different rooms. A clear inventory keeps track of what went where, and photographs record condition before and after cleaning. If you ever need to find a particular item, you can ask and we can look it up.

Insurance

Many policies cover personal property in addition to the structure, often with their own limits and conditions. An accurate inventory with condition notes helps a claim move along. We can share the documentation we keep with your insurer, work with your adjuster and bill the insurance company directly where that is allowed. Visit the insurance page.

Where we work

We handle contents cleaning for homes and businesses in St. Charles County and St. Louis County, including St. Charles, Cottleville and Weldon Spring. Browse the areas we serve.

Call us to talk about your belongings.