Answer Line FAQs
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How should I clean pots, pans, dishes, and utensils that have been in contact with flood waters?

Thoroughly wash metal pans, ceramic dishes, and utensils(including can openers) with soap and water, using hot water if available.  Rinse and then sanitize them by boiling in clean water or immersing them for 15 minutes in a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking water(or the cleanest, clearest water available).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a service of Answer Line, Iowa State University Extension, Ames, Iowa.

For more information, visit http://www.extension.iastate.edu/answerline/, email us at: answer@iastate.edu, or call 1-800-262-3804 (in Iowa) or 1-800-854-1678 (in Minnesota).