
Be Safe as Houses
Contents
The contents of the property will be contaminated to different levels. Some items may be ok, some may be able to be remediated and some will simply have to be destroyed. Below we bring you the latest research available that can help you determine what you will try to salvage and what you will have to destroy.

Does it all have to be destroyed?
The image above contains items that may not be affected too badly and could possibly be cleaned. However it is the time and the cost that also needs to be factored in when determining what to keep and what to just destroy. Cleaning companies may simply want to do the job as quickly as they can and so they may advise you that its not worth saving anything. Only by having a thorough understanding of how Meth contaminates objects, toys, furnishings and electrical appliances can you make an informed choice is to determine if an item is precious enough to you for you to pay the expense of having it decontaminated.
Your contents

Soft furnishings
Soft furnishings such as couches, chairs, cushions can have absorbed Meth. It penetrates the interior of the item, embedding itself in the filling.
Steam cleaning will NOT remove it.
The only way to test the item is to cut it open and remove the filling. This is a very destructive process and may end up costing you more than the item is worth. It would have to be tested prior to cleaning and post cleaning.
The costs to remediate these items far outstrips the cost to replace. It is safer to have these items removed for destruction.

Beds, bedding & curtains
Mattresses can have absorbed Meth and it can be embedded deep within the makeup of the mattress. It is impossible to know if the mattress is contaminated as the process for testing the item needs it to be cut open and the various parts tested. As your family will sleep on this item for eight hours or more it is safer to destroy these mattresses.
Bed linen may be able to be washed and this might remove the Meth but again the only way to test is to destroy the item. Washing must be carried out by having the item go through a complete washing cycle three to four times. This of itself is a lengthy process and costs of water, electricity and time need to be factored in. It may be quicker, safer and easier to simply destroy them and replace. The same principles apply to curtains and blinds.
Pillows MUST be destroyed. there is no way they can be cleaned to a safe level.

Toys
When it comes to your child's toys do not even think about trying to decontaminate them. WHY? Because your child's health is too precious to take the risk.
Soft toys will have absorbed Meth residue and it will never come out. Wooden toys can have also absorbed Meth because many don't have lacquers or varnishes on them to protect the wood from absorbing the chemicals.
Your child handles their toys and then places their hands in or near the mouth, depending on how young they are they may even place the toys in their mouth. This transfers the toxic residue directly into their system.
It's not worth it. Simply destroy all toys and replace with new ones.

Electrical appliances
Meth loves Electrical appliances. It is attracted to dust and the dust is attracted to any electrical device. Airconditioners should be disposed of as the contamination will be in the fans and filters.
Fridges, toasters, electrical cooking appliances should all be disposed of.

Glass ware
Glass itself can possibly be decontaminated by washing. The contents may be another issue though. If the glass container has been opened at any time it may be best to discard the contents. Decontamination again comes down to cost.

Wooden furniture
The level of contamination in wooden furniture and the possibility of it being decontaminated is highly dependant on the type of wood used and the varnish, laquer or other finish that is on the wood.

Plastics, foam, polystyrene etc.
In the same way that there are plastics that are biodegradable and some that are not, so it is with the fact that some plastics absorb Meth whilst others may not.

Carpets
Carpet and the underlay MUST be removed. The Meth residue accumulates in carpet. As you walk on it the residue is crushed into finer and finer particles and when vacuumed are once again dispersed into the building. Carpet CANNOT be steam cleaned as this does not remove the Meth residue.
The carpet must be double wrapped in plastic and disposed of in a designated waste disposal centre.

Stainless steel cooking pots
Stainless steel or aluminium cooking pans etc may be decontaminated. It might be easier to clean them, but would you really want to be cooking your families' meals and run the risk?

Ceramics
Stainless steel or aluminium cooking pans etc may be decontaminated.

Paintings and art work
Paintings and art work or any craft item will easily absorb Meth residue and will be impossible to clean. The safest thing to do is dispose of it. You could try encasing it in a glass frame but can you ever be sure it will be safe? It's a question no one really has the answer for yet.