Emergency Clean-Up Bucket

Help with Clean-up After Natural Disasters

These supplies will enable people affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton to begin the overwhelming process of cleaning up their homes and communities. Buckets can be sent to our warehouse in New Windsor, MD or dropped off at Church World Service depots around the country. Please click here for a list of drop-off locations by state.

What Goes in an Emergency Clean-Up Bucket?

Please carefully follow instructions below (Download packing list):

Step 1

Purchase a 5-gallon bucket with resealable lid. (If bucket has been used, clean well but do not use if it has held chemicals of any kind.) All liquids should be in plastic bottles and all items should be new and unopened. Each of the following items should be included inside the bucket:

• Four scouring pads
• Seven sponges, including one large
• One scrub brush
• Eighteen reusable cleaning towels (e.g. Easy Wipes ®)
• One 50 oz. or two 25 oz. bottle(s) of liquid laundry detergent
• One 16-28 oz. bottle of liquid disinfectant dish soap
• One 12-16 oz. bottle of household cleaner that can be mixed with water (no spray bottles)
• One package of 48-50 clothespins
• Clothesline, two 50 ft. or one 100 ft.
• Five dust masks
• Two pairs heavy-duty, waterproof dishwashing gloves (latex-free, non-surgical)
• One pair work gloves, cotton with leather palm or all leather
• 24-28 heavy duty or contractor type 30-45 gallon trash bags on a roll and removed from carton
• One 6-9 oz. bottle of non-aerosol insect repellent

Step 2

Secure each bucket in a separate box (or, on a pallet, if there are sufficient quantities) and download the IOCC Emergency Kits Return Shipping Label to fill out and include on the outside of each one.

Step 3

Kits and buckets can be sent to our warehouse in New Windsor, MD or dropped off at Church World Service depots around the country. Please see the link below for a list of depots by state.

It will cost about $20 per bucket to ship to the warehouse. Mail all kits to:

Click here for our Emergency Kits Frequently-Asked Questions