How to decontaminate furniture and mattresses
June 30, 2009 by Meth Lab Homes
We are dealing with a meth lab cleanup on our property, courtesy of previous occupants. We have demolished the contaminated structure and are building new, which has drained every last resource we have. Now, we are faced with the dilemma of how to decontaminate our furniture- couches and mattresses, mainly. We can’t afford to replace them, and after the nightmare we’ve gone through, just don’t trust second hand or donated items. Does anyone know of a proven way to do this, without exceeding the cost to just buy new items?
Anything that is fabric needs to be thrown out. There is just no way to make sure. Best way to replace your times is to get donated items is through a local church from a known member, even if you are not religious, a lot of times they will help. Places like Salvation Army don’t always like to pick up couches and stuff, because a lot of them are too hard to get rid of. A nice church can send out an email blast to their members asking if anybody is in need of an upgrade and need someone to take furniture of their hands.
Here’s some info I found:
http://www.forensicmag.com/News_Articles.asp?pid=549
Thanks for your comment Tiggertoy. I have heard the same thing. Fabrics can be cleaned, although professionals won’t guarantee that all of the contaminants have been removed. Thanks for the info link too!
so you dont think you can afford to throw everything away …well can you afford to get sick or sicker..or can you afford to loose years off your life being sick. not to mention the medical bills..
and stop the spread of assumption…IT CANNOT BE CLEANED ..SAYS THE HEAD SCIENTIST FROM CDC AND EPA…IT CANNOT BE CLEANED ..ANYTHING POUROUS. HAS TO BE THROWN AWAY . paper , wood, plastic ,cloth of any kind..and depending on the chemicals used..it could etch metal and glass..not every meth situation or meth house is the same …stop making assumptions..
trust me I tried and wound up loosing it all in the end and almost my life …ive spoken too dozens of toxicologist..and the head scientist of every local and national emergency hotlines for bio-hazard contamination ..people need to be educated as to how serious this is ..
and by all means stay out of thrift stores…they hold tons of contaminates that has been donated and shipped around the country..its just spreading it more..