FEMA Fact Sheet 

Salvaging Water-Damaged Family 

Valuables and Heirlooms 

The losses that are the result of disasters are usually measured in 

dollars, but often the losses that matter the most are the cherished 

items and heirlooms that are closest to the hearts of individuals and 

families. Although these treasured items may be damaged in floods, 

hurricanes, or tornadoes, it is often possible to salvage them. With a 

little patience, prompt action, and professional tips, saving treasured 

photographs, letters, and other irreplaceable objects is possible, 

although it may involve a follow-up consultation with a conservator. 

Photographs 

Carefully remove wet photographs from plastic/paper 

enclosures; it may be safer to slit and peel an enclosure away 

from the photo than pull out the photo itself. Save or copy written 

names, etc. Wet photographs and negatives that are stuck 

together should never be pulled apart. Soak them in clean water 

until they separate, up to 48 hours until you can air dry or freeze 

them. (Do not freeze glass negatives or plates.) Rinse them in 

fresh water. Do not touch or blot surfaces. Air dry the 

photographs by hanging them with clips placed at the edges, or 

lay them flat, face up, on absorbent paper. Keep photographs 

from contacting adjacent surfaces or each other. If behind glass, 

see Framed Art. 

Framed Art 

Paintings: Remove from the frame whether wet or dry, unless 

stuck to glass. Keep it on the stretcher bars. If still wet, rinse 

mud and dirt off with a clean sponge and distilled water. If the 

paint layer is cracking, flaking, or otherwise appears unstable, do 

not attempt to clean; consult a professional conservator. If 

stable, gently blot the back of the canvas with a clean, dry towel; 

avoid distorting the canvas with pressure. Air dry using good 

circulation instead of heat or sunlight. To increase circulation, lay 

the canvas face-up on a horizontal surface with airspace beneath 

the stretchers. Art/photos/documents behind glass: Remove 

from frame unless object appears stuck to glass. Air dry slowly, 

image side up with nothing touching the surface. If object is 

stuck to glass, leave it in the frame and air dry glass-side down 

for future scanning or treatment. 

Basketry 

Gently rinse, drain, and blot baskets to remove excess water; do 

not wring or twist to dry. Stuff the baskets with clean paper 

towels or cotton sheets to retain shape and absorb stains. Cover 

with clean towels and air dry them slowly, changing the blotting 

material regularly. 

Covered in mud and silt, family photos and other family 

heirlooms lay on streets and lawns after the severe flash 

flooding in Des Plaines, Illinois, in April 2013. Photo by Bryan 

Adams/FEMA Corps 

General Information 

• If the object is still wet, gently rinse it with clear,

clean water. If it is dry, clean off silt and debris

with a soft brush or dab it lightly with a damp

cloth.

• Air dry wet or damp objects indoors, if possible.

Sunlight and heat may be too intense, causing

splits, warping, and buckling. Increase airflow

with fans, open windows, or air conditioners, but

do not point fans directly at drying objects. Inhibit

the growth of mold and mildew by reducing

humidity with dehumidifiers.

• Personal safety is important when working with

objects retrieved from contaminated water. Wear

disposable vinyl or nitrile gloves, protective

clothing, goggles, and, when possible, use an

N95 face mask while working.

Because the information provided is general, the 

Heritage Emergency National Task Force strongly 

recommends that professional conservators be 

consulted for historic objects. Detailed information is 

available in the Additional Resources on the next page. 

For more information, visit fema.gov/disaster/recover/save-family-treasures 

or email fema-hentf@fema.dhs.gov 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Books and Documents 

If rinsing is necessary, hold books closed. If leather, cloth, or 

paper materials are tacky or sticky, place wax paper between 

them. Pack books, spine down, in a single layer in sturdy 

containers. Stack documents so as not to crush them. Place the 

containers in a freezer, preferably with a frost-free setting, and set 

it to the lowest possible temperature. Expect this drying process 

to take from several weeks to several months, depending on the 

freezer temperature and the extent of damage. 

Textiles and Clothing 

Textiles will be weaker and heavier when wet and will need extra 

physical support when moving. Do not attempt to unfold 

extremely delicate fabrics if the fragile layers are stuck together. 

Do not stack wet textiles. To remove mud and debris, re-wet the 

textiles with gently flowing clean water or with a fine hose spray. 

Gently press water out with the palm of your hand. Do not wring 

or twist dry. Remove excess water with dry towels, blotting paper, 

or un-inked paper, especially if the dyes are bleeding. Re-shape 

the textile while it is damp to approximate its original contours. 

Do not seal textiles in plastic bags. 

Metal Objects 

Rinse metal objects exposed to floodwaters, mud, or silt with 

clear water and blot dry immediately with a clean, soft cloth. 

Metal objects can be directly dried with fans and low-heat 

hairdryers to increase their drying rate. Allow heavy mud deposits 

on large metal objects, such as sculptures, to dry. Caked mud 

can be removed later. 

Broken Pottery and Ceramics 

If objects are broken or begin to fall apart, place all broken pieces 

and detached parts in clearly labeled open containers; ideally, 

use a separate container for fragments of each broken object. Do 

not attempt to repair objects until they are completely dry or, in 

the case of important materials, until you have consulted with a 

professional conservator. Monitor them for mold. 

Wooden Furniture 

Gently rinse/sponge wooden surfaces to clean, and then blot and 

air dry slowly. If the furniture has a painted surface, air dry slowly 

without removing dirt or moisture. A slow process will help ensure 

that the wood dries evenly and is less likely to warp, split, or crack. 

Improper drying may cause the furniture to shrink or the inlay to 

lift. Never dry wood furniture in the sun; the heat will cause uneven 

drying and can lighten and fade some wood stains. Consult a 

furniture conservator for the best method to dry your furniture. 

Leather and Rawhide 

If necessary, rinse/sponge with clear water to remove mud and 

reduce stains. Blot them dry with soft cloths or towels. Pad them 

with dry towels or un-inked paper to maintain shape, and air dry. 

To keep rawhide, semi-tanned leather, such as kidskin, and fur 

supple, gently, and frequently manipulate them during drying. 

Additional Resources 

 

 

 

 

 

• Video: Water Segment from Field Guide to

Emergency Response

youtube.com/watch?v=rXyA5Dq_jHM

• Video: Mud Segment from Field Guide

Emergency Response

youtube.com/watch?v=9KSkxxydnvY

• Video: Mold-Damaged Artwork

youtube.com/watch?v=2zKnWUdaYyQ

• Salvage Procedures for Wet Items

nlm.nih.gov/hmd/preservation/pdfs/

printableinstructions.pdf

• Find a Conservator

culturalheritage.org/about-conservation/find-aconservator

• Heritage Emergency National Task Force 

culturalrescue.si.edu/hentf/

• Advice By Phone

loc.gov/preservation/emergprep/emerother

 

FEMA and the Smithsonian 

Institution co-sponsor the Heritage 

Emergency National Task Force, a partnership of more than 60 

national service organizations and 

federal agencies created to 

protect cultural heritage from the 

damaging effects of natural 

disasters and other emergencies. 

For more information, visit fema.gov/disaster/recover/save-family-treasures 

or email fema-hentf@fema.dhs.gov