Once a storm has passed and the power is back, most Florida homes and businesses are left with the same mess: dust and grit everywhere, mud tracked across the floors, a fridge full of food that didn't make it, and windows and lanais coated in salt and debris. Some of that is a cleaning job. Some of it is not. This guide explains which is which, so you call the right people in the right order and get back to normal faster, whether you are in Miami, Tampa, Orlando or anywhere else in the state.
The short answer: a cleaning crew is the right call when the building is dry and safe and the problem is dirt, dust, debris and spoiled food. If water came inside (flooding, a roof leak, soaked drywall or carpet) or you can see or smell mold, call a licensed water-damage or mold restoration company first. The cleaners come in after they finish.
Safety first: before anyone cleans
Do not start cleaning until the basics are checked. Florida's hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and every season brings the same avoidable injuries after the storm has gone.
- Power and gas: stay away from downed lines, and do not turn on electrical items that got wet. If you smell gas, leave and call the gas company.
- Generators: run them outside only, well away from doors and windows. Never in a garage, even with the door open.
- Structure: if the roof, ceiling or walls look damaged, have the building checked before a crew goes in.
- Flood water: treat it as contaminated. Wear gloves and boots, and keep children and pets out of it.
- Insurance: take photos and video of the damage before anything is thrown out or cleaned, and keep receipts.
What a cleaning crew can handle
Once the building is dry and safe, a professional clean is often the fastest way to make it livable or open for business again. A post-storm clean usually looks like a deep clean with extra attention to the things storms leave behind:
- Dust and grit that blew in around doors and windows, or came off shutters and plywood when they were taken down.
- Floors covered in tracked-in mud, sand and leaves, including entryways, garages and tile.
- Windows, sliding doors and tracks coated with salt spray, pollen and debris.
- Lanais, patios and pool-deck furniture once the yard debris is cleared.
- The kitchen after a power outage: once the spoiled food is thrown out, the fridge and freezer need a full wipe-down inside, including shelves, drawers and door seals, to get rid of the smell. Mention this when you book.
- A full top-to-bottom reset for homes that were closed up during an evacuation: ceiling fans, vents, baseboards, bathrooms and every surface people touch.
- Reopening businesses: offices, shops and restaurants that need a one-time deep commercial clean before staff and customers come back.
Bethel J uses organic, pet-safe products, so families and pets can come home without harsh chemical smells. If you want high-touch surfaces disinfected as well as cleaned, read the difference between cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting, and ask about disinfection and sanitizing for businesses.
When you need a restoration company instead
Water damage and mold are a different trade with different equipment: water extraction, industrial drying, moisture readings, and tearing out materials that can't be saved. Call a licensed restoration or mold-remediation company first if:
- Flood or storm water came inside, even a few inches.
- Drywall, insulation, carpet or padding got soaked.
- There is a roof or window leak with wet ceilings or walls.
- You can see mold, or the home smells musty. Mold can start growing within 24 to 48 hours in Florida's heat and humidity.
- Sewage backed up into the building.
Public health agencies like the CDC and EPA advise people to get professional help for mold covering a large area (the EPA uses about 10 square feet as a guide) and for anything involving sewage. Once the restoration work is finished and the space is dry, a cleaning crew is the right team for the final clean-up of dust and residue, much like a post-construction clean after a remodel.
The fridge after a power outage
This is the job most people dread. The USDA's general rule: a closed fridge keeps food safe for about 4 hours without power; a full freezer for about 48 hours (about 24 if half full). After that, perishable food like meat, dairy, eggs and leftovers should go. When in doubt, throw it out.
- Bag the spoiled food and get it out of the house first.
- Take out the shelves and drawers and wash them with warm, soapy water.
- Wipe the inside walls, ceiling and door seals.
- Leave the doors open to air out before you restock. An open box of baking soda helps with what is left of the smell.
Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners. The fumes are dangerous, especially in a closed-up house.
Homes that were closed up during the storm
Many South Florida homes sit shuttered for days, or for months if the owners are away for the summer. Closed-up homes in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Coral Springs often come back with stale air, dust on every surface and mildew starting in bathrooms and closets. Run the AC, check for leaks, then book the clean. Our snowbird home-opening checklist covers the same steps for owners coming back for the winter.
Landlords and vacation-rental hosts should do a walk-through before the next tenant or guest arrives. A missed leak or a smelly fridge is the kind of thing guests write about. See our guide to Airbnb cleaning in South Florida and our landlord and tenant turnover cleaning.
Businesses reopening after a storm
For a restaurant, office or shop, being ready to reopen is about more than looks. Restaurants should throw out food that lost refrigeration, then clean and sanitize every food-contact surface before opening; our restaurant health inspection cleaning checklist is a good place to start. Offices usually need floors, restrooms, break rooms and desks reset after dust and debris come in. Tell us your reopening date when you ask for a commercial quote, and we will plan the clean around it.
How to book a post-storm clean
After a big storm, everyone calls at once. To get on the schedule quickly:
- Confirm the building is dry and safe, and that any restoration work is finished.
- Tell us what happened: power outage, closed up, debris and dust, or a restoration job just finished.
- List the rooms and extras you need, such as the fridge, lanai, windows or garage.
- Send a few photos if you can. They help us plan the right crew and time.
Every Bethel J clean is done by vetted, background-checked cleaners and ends with our 75-point inspection. We serve Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville and cities across Florida, plus the rest of the United States. Call or text (346) 646-6189 or get a free quote.
Frequently asked questions
Can a cleaning company clean up after a hurricane?
Yes, once the building is dry and safe. A cleaning crew handles dust, debris, tracked-in mud, windows, lanais, the fridge after an outage and a full top-to-bottom clean. Flooding, soaked materials and mold need a licensed restoration company first.
Do you do water damage or mold removal?
No. Water extraction, drying and mold remediation are jobs for a licensed restoration company. We come in after their work is finished to do the final clean.
Can you clean out my fridge after a power outage?
Yes. Throw out the spoiled food first, then mention the fridge and freezer when you book so we can plan a full inside clean.
How soon after a storm can you come?
It depends on your area and how many people need help at the same time. Call or text (346) 646-6189 or ask for a free quote, and we will give you the earliest time we can.
Do you clean businesses before they reopen?
Yes. We do one-time deep cleans for offices, shops, restaurants and other businesses getting ready to reopen. Tell us your reopening date when you ask for a quote.
Are your products safe for kids and pets?
Yes. We use organic, pet-safe products, and every clean is done by vetted, background-checked cleaners and checked with our 75-point inspection.
Back to normal, one step at a time
After a storm, the order matters: safety first, then restoration if water got in, then cleaning. Bethel J Cleaning Services works nationwide, is insured and bonded, and offers free quotes. When your home or business is ready for the final clean, ask for a free quote or call (346) 646-6189.