Thursday, August 11, 2011

Contaminated doents: toss or save?

My mother is a compulsive hoarder, and her kitchen is especially bad--mice living in the lower cabinets. I have started cleaning the kitchen, throwing away bags and bags of junk in there (containers, books, toys, anything). There were bags of food that had been left on the floor for who knows how long, which is certainly what must have attracted the mice in the first place (of course, I have discarded those already). Occasionally, I come across a somewhat-important looking doent though, such as a report on her investments, prescription information, or bank statements. I found these things on the floor, though, covered in mouse droppings! (and possibly mouse urine, as well). Obviously my instincts just say "toss it, it's filthy" because I can't think of any possible way to sterilize a contaminated doent. Obviously I am wearing a dust mask and latex gloves when going through these things to protect myself. I know it seems like kind of a dumb question but I would like to know what anyone thinks? I mean I'm thinking that any of this information could probably be obtained again because it's probably on file somewhere. And a lot of the doents are from 2 or 3 years ago so I'm thinking they're probably not needed anymore. There were also a few photographs (of her and her coworkers) I am tempted to toss because they are also quite filthy from apparently coming into contact with mice. Is any of this worth holding onto? Silly question, I guess, but ...your thoughts?

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