would you keep pots and pans that were in a flood?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, definitely. Just wash the hell out of them. Sorry for your ordeal!

I'd put them into the sterilize dishwasher cycle and hell yes, I'd use them again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are nuts. Clothes and sheets can be washed. If you are a germaphobe, own it. But for Gods sake don't try to convince him that he is old and crazy. He was just born before people could afford to indulge their every squeamish thought.

Yeah, OP -- I don't think you are nuts, but I'm the person who has been posting links to different sources for you, and I think my understanding earlier was wrong.

You can't properly wash stuffed animals, upholstered furniture, and pillows -- thick things like that just can't be cleaned properly if they have sewage contaminated water. Chuck them.

But sheets, tableclothes, clothes, towels -- anything like that can be washed well and it will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Apparently even important papers can be saved. It's a lot of work so not worth it unless the papers are important, but there's a way to do it. (Doesn't work for color photographs).