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What to throw away after a flood

A room-by-room checklist of what to discard and what you can save after flood water gets in, taken straight from FDA, CDC, EPA and FEMA guidance.

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Updated November 6, 2026. Every statement is linked to the agency that made it.

Flooded residential street in Florida after a tropical storm

The rule of thumb

Throw away anything wet with flood water that cannot be cleaned and dried completely within 24 to 48 hours[1][2]. Photograph everything first, labeled by room, before you remove it[3].

Food and water

  • Do not eat any food that may have touched flood water[4]. Throw out food and drinks that are not in waterproof containers[4].
  • Usually salvageable: undamaged commercial all-metal cans and retort pouches are the only waterproof food containers[4]. Remove labels, wash with soap and water, then sanitize by boiling 2 minutes or soaking 15 minutes in 1 cup of unscented bleach per 5 gallons of water[4]. Air dry at least an hour and re-label with the expiration date[4].
  • Throw out: anything with screw caps, snap lids, pull tops or crimped caps[4]; cardboard juice, milk and baby formula boxes; and home-canned food[4]; and damaged cans that are swollen, leaking, punctured or deeply rusted[4].
  • Also discard food that may not have stayed cold during a power outage[5]. "When in doubt, throw it out": unsafe food can look and smell normal[6].
  • Metal pans, ceramic dishes and utensils can be kept after washing and sanitizing[4]. Throw out wooden cutting boards, baby bottle nipples and pacifiers[6].
  • For infants, the FDA suggests ready-to-feed canned formula that needs no added water[4].

Medicines

  • Throw out medicines that touched flood water, even in their original screw-top or snap-lid containers[7]. Wet or altered medicine should not be used[7].
  • The one exception: a medicine needed for a life-threatening condition with no replacement available[7]. Ask a pharmacist. For refrigerated medicines such as insulin after an outage, check the storage instructions or ask a pharmacist or provider[7].

The house and furnishings

  • Mattresses, carpet, carpet padding, rugs and upholstered furniture you cannot clean and dry quickly[8]. University of Missouri Extension says never reuse flooded carpet padding[9].
  • Drywall and insulation that touched flood water or sewage[8][3], even if the wallboard looks dry[9].
  • Stuffed animals and baby toys you cannot clean[8]. Hard toys that do not absorb water can be sanitized[10].
  • Clothing: FEMA's Florida sheet lists clothing among items to discard[3], while the CDC says flood-soaked clothes can be washed in hot water and detergent[11]. Washable items are worth trying; throw out what you cannot get clean.
  • Do not use an HVAC system the flood affected to dry the house; the EPA recommends leaving its cleaning to a professional[12].
Homeowner photographing water-damaged flooring before cleanup
Photograph before you throw anything away.

Private wells and septic

  • Do not turn on the pump of a flooded well[13]. Wells more than 10 years old or less than 50 feet deep are likely contaminated even with no visible damage[13].
  • Have the well disinfected (the EPA recommends a well or pump contractor for drilled wells)[13] and tested for bacteria 7 to 10 days later[13]. It may not be safe for months[13].
  • Do not use the septic system right after a flood[13].
  • To disinfect drinking water in an emergency, the FDA says 8 drops of unscented household bleach per gallon, standing 30 minutes[4].

Insurance and next steps

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Questions

Can I keep canned food after a flood?

Undamaged commercial all-metal cans can be saved after washing and sanitizing[4]. Throw out screw-top jars, cardboard boxes and home-canned food[4].

Do I have to throw out medicine that got wet?

Yes, even in the original container[7], unless it is needed for a life-threatening condition and cannot be replaced[7].

Do I have to remove drywall after a flood?

The CDC says to remove and discard drywall and insulation contaminated with flood water or sewage[8].

Sources

Every figure on this page links to its source. Statutes are from the 2026 Florida Statutes. FEMA and NOAA figures were downloaded on 6 November 2026.

  1. Homeowner's and Renter's Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters (PDF). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (multi-agency guide, footer dated June 2015). https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-08/documents/mold._homeowners_and_renters_guide_to_cleanup_after_disasters.pdf Accessed 6 Nov 2026.
  2. 8 Tips to Clean Mold. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/mold-health/communication-resources/8-tips-to-clean-mold.html Accessed 6 Nov 2026.
  3. Don't Wait to Begin Cleaning, Making Repairs (Hurricane Idalia, Florida, DR-4734). Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/dont-wait-begin-cleaning-making-repairs Accessed 6 Nov 2026.
  4. Food and Water Safety During Power Outages and Floods. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/food-and-water-safety-during-power-outages-and-floods Accessed 6 Nov 2026.
  5. Safety Guidelines: Returning Home After a Natural Disaster. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/natural-disasters/safety/returning-home-after-natural-disaster.html Accessed 6 Nov 2026.
  6. Keep Food Safe After a Disaster or Emergency. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/foods/keep-food-safe-after-emergency.html Accessed 6 Nov 2026.
  7. Safe Drug Use After a Natural Disaster. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/emergency-preparedness-drugs/safe-drug-use-after-natural-disaster Accessed 6 Nov 2026.
  8. Guidelines for Cleaning Safely After a Disaster. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/natural-disasters/safety/index.html Accessed 6 Nov 2026.
  9. Resources for Your Flooded Home (MP904, PDF) [UNIVERSITY EXTENSION]. University of Missouri Extension. https://extension.missouri.edu/media/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/Pub/pdf/miscpubs/mp0904.pdf Accessed 6 Nov 2026.
  10. How to Safely Clean and Sanitize with Bleach. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/natural-disasters/safety/how-to-safely-clean-and-sanitize-with-bleach.html Accessed 6 Nov 2026.
  11. Safety Guidelines: Floodwater. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/floods/safety/floodwater-after-a-disaster-or-emergency-safety.html Accessed 6 Nov 2026.
  12. Flood Cleanup to Protect Indoor Air and Your Health. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/emergencies-iaq/flood-cleanup-protect-indoor-air-and-your-health Accessed 6 Nov 2026.
  13. What to Do After the Flood (EPA 816-F-05-021, PDF). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-05/documents/epa816f05021.pdf Accessed 6 Nov 2026.
  14. FloodSmart.gov home page. FEMA, National Flood Insurance Program (FloodSmart.gov). https://www.floodsmart.gov/ Accessed 6 Nov 2026.
  15. Section 627.70132, 2026 Florida Statutes. The Florida Senate (Florida Statutes). https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/627.70132 Accessed 6 Nov 2026.
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