Cleaning up: inside
In general, surfaces should be vacuumed to remove as much
ash
as possible from carpets, furniture, office equipment, appliances,
and other items. Portable vacuum systems equipped with
high-efficiency particulate filtering systems are recommended
whenever possible. The severity of ash intrusion depends on the
integrity of windows and entrances, the air intake features, and the
care exercised to control the transport of ash into a building or
home via shoes and clothing. Care should also be taken to avoid
further contamination during the emptying, cleaning, and maintenance
of vacuum equipment. In hot climates, where windows are permanently
open, or absent, clean up of houses may be needed several times per
day. Clean up inside should only be undertaken after the outside
areas have been well cleared.
Things TO DO
-
Clean your house when public-works crews are cleaning the areas
outside your house as a co-ordinated approach.
-
Put on your mask before starting to clean. If you don't have one,
use a wet cloth.
-
Ensure good ventilation by opening all doors and windows before
you start to clean.
-
Only use one entrance to the building while cleaning to ensure
occupants do not bring in
ash
into clean areas.
-
Use a dustless method of cleaning such as washing with water and
an effective detergent/wetting agent. Damp rag techniques or
vacuuming should be used whenever possible. After vacuuming,
carpets and upholstery may be cleaned with a detergent shampoo.
Avoid excess rubbing action because the sharp
ash
particles may cut textile fibres.
-
Glass, porcelain enamel and acrylic surfaces may be scratched if
wiped too vigorously. Use a detergent soaked cloth or sponge and
dab rather than wipe.
-
High-shine wood finishes will be dulled by the fine grit. Vacuum
surfaces and then blot with a wet cloth. A tack cloth used by
furniture refinishers should also work well.
-
Ash-coated fabrics should either be rinsed under running water and
then washed carefully, or they can be taken outside and beaten to
remove the
ash.
-
Soiled clothing will require extra detergent. Wash small loads of
clothing, using plenty of water so the clothes will have room to
move freely in the water.
-
Brush or shake clothes before washing. Moisten thick
ash
deposits on hard floors and place in bags (avoid sweeping dry
ash).
- Use a damp mop or wet cloth to clean hard floors.
-
Floor sweepers with side brushes should not be used to clear
aisles and floors because they may re-entrain dust particles into
the air.
-
Clean your computer, TV and radio equipment using a vacuum cleaner
or compressed air (see [guidelines; internal link to BLD_D] on
looking after electronics following an ashfall). Switch off the
main power supply to the machine before carrying out this
operation.
-
For several months after an ashfall, filters may need replacing
often. Air conditioner and furnace filters need careful attention.
Clean refrigerator air intakes. Clean any surface that may blow
air and recirculate the
ash. Stove fans and
vents
should be cleaned thoroughly.
-
Keep children indoors and discourage play in dusty settings.
-
Keep pets indoors. If pets go out, brush them before letting them
indoors.
Things NOT to do
-
Do not use floor sweepers with side brushes to clear aisles and
floors because they may re-entrain dust particles into the air.
-
Do not clean by blowing with compressed air or dry sweeping as
ash
will be remobilised into the air.
-
Do not use fans or electric clothes dryers which might remobilise
ash.