• Broom: Push out water and mud quickly with a stiff-bristled, 24-inch-wide push broom ($60-$70). Some have a squeegee attached, which will remove any water the broom leaves behind.
  • Mops: Use a sponge mop ($15) to sop up dirty floodwater; switch to a string mop ($100) to disinfect the area.
  • Buckets (2): You need two buckets: One for dirty water; the other for disinfectant. The most economical are 5-gallon drywall mud buckets, which you can buy ($3) or just recycle from your last wall repair project. (Tip: Don’t throw away drywall buckets; they’re great as planters and stools—for sitting, not standing—and for tool storage.)
  • Sponges: A large grouting sponge ($2 for 5 1/2-inch sponge) spreads disinfectant into hard-to-reach places. Apply disinfectant liberally.
  • Chlorine bleach: Old-fashioned bleach ($2 for 96 fl. oz.) is the best disinfectant for flood cleanup. To disinfect floors, pour one cup of bleach into 5 gallons of water; to clean mold from walls, use a solution with 9 parts water to 1 part bleach.
  • Rubber gloves: Protect your hands from bleach and dirty water with heavy rubber gloves. Dishwashing gloves ($2) will do, so long as they reach your elbows.
  • Rags: You can’t have enough rags for flood cleanup. They’re great for spreading disinfectant. After use, dispose in a plastic bag.
  • Trash bags: Throw away trash, mud, rags, and leaves in heavy (3-6 mil) contractor trash bags ($11 for 20 bags).