How to disinfect hardwood floors after toilet overflow?

sspengler · 12-12-2011, 05:00 PM

toilet overflowed in the bathroom with hardwood floors. No water damage as we were able to mop up all the water immediately. Plus put a space heater in the bathroom over night to make sure all was dry. What do I disinfect the floor with now? Afraid to use bleach water on wood.

chrisn · 12-12-2011, 05:17 PM

http://www.cloroxprofessional.com/pr...r/at-a-glance/

aaron_david · 12-12-2011, 06:09 PM

I'm not really sure why chrisn posted a link to a clorox product because when it comes to deep cleaning hardwood, while there are more than several types of conflicting advice, it is pretty universally agreed on that any bleach-based products should be considered a "no-go" for hardwood use. That being said, some do not recommend this but, in my experience, I have had a lot of success with steam cleaning my hardwood. The only thing to be careful of is letting any droplets sits on the wood for too long; try to wipe them up before ten minutes time passes and you should be golden. As far as the type of cleaner to use goes, stick with a mild disinfectant. In fact, I have used Meyers Clean Day Bathroom Cleaner (it contains zero toxic chemicals) and it seems to do the trick perfectly. Hope that helps!!!

AandPDan · 12-12-2011, 07:13 PM

I've had good luck with MoldSTAT.

Yes, it kills mold, it also kills bacteria, algae, mildew, etc.

It is registered with the EPA. It claims to be "ideal" for "sewer backup."

http://www.cleanertoday.com/Mold-Kil...FUOo4AodeAvzSQ

JazMan · 12-12-2011, 09:01 PM

I don't have the answer, but I don't think much of what has been suggested will do much more than cleaning the surface of the hardwood. How are you gonna get the funky stuff out of the grooves and below? I don't think you will with these products and techniques.

I know the Clorox product is a waste on anything porous and could do some damage of the wood. The Moldstat sounds good, but how do you get it where it counts?

So how do you kill the germs and disinfect all the way down to the subfloor? Short of flooding the floor again, I don't know.

Jaz

12-12-2011, 05:00 PM	#1
sspengler Newbie Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 1	How to disinfect hardwood floors after toilet overflow? toilet overflowed in the bathroom with hardwood floors. No water damage as we were able to mop up all the water immediately. Plus put a space heater in the bathroom over night to make sure all was dry. What do I disinfect the floor with now? Afraid to use bleach water on wood.

12-12-2011, 05:17 PM	#2
chrisn paper hanger and painter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Hagerstown MD Posts: 5,851	How to disinfect hardwood floors after toilet overflow? http://www.cloroxprofessional.com/pr...r/at-a-glance/ __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

12-12-2011, 06:09 PM	#3
aaron_david Newbie Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 6	How to disinfect hardwood floors after toilet overflow? I'm not really sure why chrisn posted a link to a clorox product because when it comes to deep cleaning hardwood, while there are more than several types of conflicting advice, it is pretty universally agreed on that any bleach-based products should be considered a "no-go" for hardwood use. That being said, some do not recommend this but, in my experience, I have had a lot of success with steam cleaning my hardwood. The only thing to be careful of is letting any droplets sits on the wood for too long; try to wipe them up before ten minutes time passes and you should be golden. As far as the type of cleaner to use goes, stick with a mild disinfectant. In fact, I have used Meyers Clean Day Bathroom Cleaner (it contains zero toxic chemicals) and it seems to do the trick perfectly. Hope that helps!!!

12-12-2011, 07:13 PM	#4
AandPDan Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: MA Posts: 550	How to disinfect hardwood floors after toilet overflow? I've had good luck with MoldSTAT. Yes, it kills mold, it also kills bacteria, algae, mildew, etc. It is registered with the EPA. It claims to be "ideal" for "sewer backup." http://www.cleanertoday.com/Mold-Kil...FUOo4AodeAvzSQ

12-12-2011, 09:01 PM	#5
JazMan Tileguy Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 3,287	How to disinfect hardwood floors after toilet overflow? I don't have the answer, but I don't think much of what has been suggested will do much more than cleaning the surface of the hardwood. How are you gonna get the funky stuff out of the grooves and below? I don't think you will with these products and techniques. I know the Clorox product is a waste on anything porous and could do some damage of the wood. The Moldstat sounds good, but how do you get it where it counts? So how do you kill the germs and disinfect all the way down to the subfloor? Short of flooding the floor again, I don't know. Jaz __________________ Tile 4 You LLC Troy, MI KERDI Shower Specialist ... DITRA Installs ... Product-Method suitability consultation. I have NEVER made a mistake, I thought I did once...........but I was wrong! - PRODUCTS ADVERTISED WITHIN MY POST ARE NOT ENDORSED BY ME!

How to disinfect hardwood floors after toilet overflow?