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Water damage to furniture as a result of flood or weather is not always as bad as it seems. Often the damage is quite manageable, or at least subject to partial repair. Read on for steps you can take to restore your water-wrecked furniture and carpeting.

Step 1 - Drying Wood Furniture

When a piece of wood furniture has been soaked in water, the very first thing to do is to let it dry. Place it in a room with warm temperature and good air circulation. You may want to turn on the heating and the fans. Alternatively, if the weather permits, you can leave the furniture to dry outside.

Make sure the temperature is right. If it is too cold, the wood piece will dry too slowly and mold will form. If it is too hot, cracks will form in the furniture.

Step 2 - Treat White Spots

If white spots have formed on the furniture, mix a solution of equal parts toothpaste and baking soda. Dip a wet cloth in the solution, and rub it both in and around the spots. Polish the area with a dry piece of cotton fabric. If your furniture has leather padding, use other methods to clean those areas.

Step 3 - Clean Mildew

Black spots on your furniture indicate that water has seeped through the finish into the wood, leading to the formation of mildew. In this case, you will have to remove the finish, clean the mildew with a bleach solution, and coat it with a new layer of finish.

Step 4 - Take Care of Buckled Veneer

The furniture veneer may buckle or warp as a result of contact with water. To repair the damage, you can soak the veneer with a moisturizer until it lies down flat again. Wipe it dry and clean. Fill a syringe with veneer glue and stick the needle between the veneer and the body of the furniture. Empty the syringe slowly. Remove it and place a wood block on top of the veneer. Wait for the glue to dry. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for the waiting period and remove the block.

Carpets

You can clean water-damaged carpets in one of two ways, depending on the condition of the water.

Damage From Black Water

When your carpet has been damaged by black water, which is heavily contaminated water containing untreated sewage, it is best to dispose of the carpet right away. If you keep the carpet, you risk having a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria and allergens right in the middle of your household.