Everyone knows that Southern California was ravaged by one of the worst fires in history. Not only have families lost their homes but many have lost their belongings. Those who survived the fires may have found some of their belongings intact yet many of those items, especially family heirlooms, were covered with soot and ash. Removing those kinds of particles requires quick and gentle action in order to prevent additional damage.

        Respected conservation professionals -- those who care for museums and libraries throughout the country -- have provided the following guidelines for cleaning up after fires and disasters:

General Guidelines:

• Wear protective gear--plastic or rubber gloves, a surgical mask and goggles during cleanup.
• Start at once; more damage is possible if ash sits on surfaces.
• Debris should be removed gently; rubbing can scratch surfaces and grind in dirt.
• Obtain a good selection of soft, light colored, artists’ brushes in different sizes (no metal parts.)
• If your favorite or most valuable heirloom is badly damaged, seek professional conservation help.

How to Prevent Damage on Specific Items:

• Books, Fabrics, Upholstery, Baskets, Teddy Bears -- Vacuum each item (low suction) with the nozzle covered with a cheesecloth tightened by a rubber band. This helps to prevent tearing and the pulling away of loose pieces of paper or fabric. Fabrics should be vacuumed by gently patting them, in a "blotter-like" effect.
• Furniture -- use your vacuum’s brush to remove surface dirt; do not use polishes or oils.
• Photographs/Papers -- Use a clean, dry, soft brush and brush the soot away from the center to the edges with the photographs or papers placed on a clean, flat surface.
• Clocks -- If an antique clock is heavily covered with dust and soot, it should probably be taken to a professional for cleaning. Minor dust and soot damage can be removed with a soft brush.
• Decorative Objects -- Once again, clean with a soft bristle brush or a soft vacuum brush. (This includes silver, ceramics and stone)
• Dolls -- Try cleaning first with a soft, dry brush. Water dampened cotton swabs can be used on plastic areas followed by gently wiping them dry. Never use solvents.

        And remember, if an heirloom survived the fire but has soot and other damage, you need to determine whether you can honestly clean it yourself. There are professionals out there who know exactly what to do. Don’t take a chance and clean it yourself if you have any doubt at all about the results. To find a San Diego County preservation or restoration expert, check our website http://www.bargainlink.com under "Where to Repair Your Collectibles" and also check the yellow pages in your area under "Antique Repairing and Restoring." Two additional resources are: The American Institute of Historic Works, which operates a free referral service for professional conservators at (202) 452-9545 or http://aic.stanford.edu and the Regional Alliance for Preservation (800) 843-8482 or www.arcc.org. (Information in this article is for reference only; neither bargainlink.com nor its supporters assume responsibility or any liability for treatment or cleaning of damaged goods.)