Content Cleaning, Packout & Storage Services: The Essential Link Between Mitigation and Rebuild

Protecting What Matters Most

When disaster strikes, most people immediately think of soaked walls, burned floors, or collapsed ceilings. But property isn’t just drywall and beams — it’s the furniture you bought with care, the family heirlooms passed down for generations, the electronics you rely on daily, and the business equipment that keeps your company running.

After a fire or flood, the building can often be repaired. But what about the things inside? That’s where content cleaning, packout, and storage services become essential. They ensure your belongings are salvaged, restored, and secured — while giving crews the space they need to complete mitigation and rebuilding efficiently.

For homeowners and businesses across Chicago, Evanston, Skokie, Glenview, Lake Forest, Highland Park, Oak Park, and River Forest, these services can mean the difference between recovery and permanent loss.

What Are Content Cleaning, Packout, and Storage Services?

• Content Cleaning
  Restoration professionals use advanced processes like ultrasonic cleaning, HEPA vacuuming, ozone treatment, and textile restoration to remove smoke, soot, water stains, and odors from belongings.
• Packout Services
  A systematic process where belongings are inventoried, documented, and removed from the damaged property. This prevents additional exposure and simplifies insurance claims.
• Storage
  Belongings are housed in a climate-controlled, secure environment until the property is safe and ready.

Together, these three steps ensure your belongings are not only protected but restored when possible — serving as the bridge between mitigation (damage control) and rebuild (property repair).

Why These Services Are Vital After Fire Damage

Smoke and Soot Damage Never Stops

Even after the flames are out, soot particles remain acidic, continuing to corrode and stain:

• Fabrics can discolor permanently within hours.
• Metals rust if not treated promptly.
• Electronics can short out from residue.

Odor Neutralization Is Specialized

Simple cleaning won’t remove the deep odor of smoke. Advanced treatments like ozone chambers and hydroxyl generators are required to neutralize molecules trapped in porous materials.

Clearing the Way for Rebuild

Packout services create a safe, open workspace for crews handling demolition, debris removal, and reconstruction. By removing contents, you speed up the rebuild timeline while ensuring belongings aren’t further contaminated.

Why These Services Are Vital After Water Damage

Mold Prevention

Mold begins forming within 24–48 hours of water damage. Removing contents quickly and drying them in a controlled environment drastically reduces the risk of mold spreading throughout the property.

Protection of High-Value Items

Business equipment, electronics, files, and furniture are among the first things ruined by water. Quick packout and drying can save thousands of dollars in replacement costs.

Storage During Restoration

While contractors repair soaked drywall, subflooring, or insulation, belongings left inside are at risk of secondary exposure. Proper storage ensures they’re safe until the rebuild is complete.

Techniques Used in Professional Content Cleaning

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons employs specialized restoration technology designed for sensitive and valuable contents, including:

• Ultrasonic Cleaning: Restores delicate items like ceramics, jewelry, or collectibles.
• Textile Restoration: Garments, drapes, and upholstery are cleaned with precision.
• Electronics Recovery: Prevents corrosion and restores function after water or smoke exposure.
• Deodorization Chambers: Ozone and hydroxyl treatments remove deep odors.
• HEPA Filtration: Captures microscopic soot and mold spores invisible to the eye.

This process doesn’t just “clean” — it restores.

The Packout & Storage Process: Step by Step

1. Assessment & Inventory
   Every item is catalogued, photographed, and logged for insurance claims.
2. Packing & Protection
   Items are carefully wrapped, crated, or boxed to avoid damage.
3. Transport
   Contents are moved to a climate-controlled, secure warehouse facility.
4. Content Cleaning
   Salvageable items undergo professional cleaning and restoration.
5. Storage
   Items remain secure until property restoration is complete.
6. Return & Reinstallation
   Belongings are returned and placed back where they belong — home.

Real-World Examples in Chicagoland

• Evanston: A condo owner had electronics and documents damaged by water. Packout and restoration saved business-critical equipment worth tens of thousands.
• Highland Park: After a kitchen fire, heirloom furniture and artwork were restored using ultrasonic cleaning and deodorization chambers.
• Oak Park: A business suffering from flooding had records and office equipment relocated and stored, avoiding major downtime.

These examples show that content services aren’t a luxury — they’re essential for full recovery.

Why Choosing the Right Restoration Company Matters

Not every company offers true content restoration services. Many only handle structural repairs.

With ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, you receive:

• IICRC Certified Expertise — Sam Simon is a Master Fire & Water Restorer, the highest level of certification.
• 40+ Years of Local Service — Serving Chicago, Lake County, North Shore, and DuPage with unmatched trust and reliability.
• National Legacy — ServiceMaster was founded in Chicago in 1929, making it America’s oldest professional restoration company.
• RIA Membership — Adherence to the highest restoration standards.
• Proven Trust — Multiple awards, including the Chicago Star Award, BBB Torch Award, and the 2025 INC. 5000 recipient.

Your belongings aren’t just stored — they’re protected by one of the most experienced restoration teams in the Midwest.

FAQs About Content Cleaning, Packout & Storage

Q: What is content packout after a fire or flood?
A: Packout is the process of carefully removing belongings from your home or business to prevent further damage. Items are documented, packed, and moved to a secure facility for cleaning and storage until the property is restored.

Q: How long can belongings stay in storage?
A: Belongings can stay in secure, climate-controlled storage for as long as your restoration project takes. For most homes and businesses, this ranges from a few weeks to several months, depending on the severity of damage.

Q: Can electronics really be restored after fire or water damage?
A: In many cases, yes. Professional drying and cleaning techniques can prevent corrosion and restore function, but timing is critical. The faster electronics are treated, the higher the chance of recovery.

Q: Will insurance cover content cleaning and storage?
A: Most homeowners and commercial insurance policies include coverage for packout, cleaning, and storage of belongings. ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons provides detailed inventories to simplify the claims process.

Q: How do I know my belongings are safe during packout?
A: Every item is catalogued with photos and barcodes. Storage facilities are climate-controlled and secure, with restricted access to ensure safety.

Q: What items can’t be restored?
A: While many items can be salvaged, some porous or heavily damaged belongings — such as severely burned mattresses or paper-based items soaked for days — may not be recoverable. These are documented for insurance purposes.

Q: Why can’t I just clean my belongings myself?
A: Household cleaners aren’t strong enough to neutralize soot, smoke, or mold contamination. DIY cleaning often pushes residue deeper, making damage worse. Professional techniques like ozone or ultrasonic cleaning are required.

Q: How does content cleaning speed up the rebuild process?
A: By removing contents from the property, crews have an open, safe space to complete demolition, drying, and reconstruction more efficiently — which shortens overall project time.

Q: Is storage climate-controlled?
A: Yes. Temperature and humidity are strictly managed to prevent mold, corrosion, and additional deterioration of belongings while they’re stored.

Q: Do you handle both residential and commercial packouts?
A: Absolutely. We serve homeowners and businesses throughout Chicago, the North Shore, Lake County, and DuPage County, providing custom packout and storage solutions tailored to each property.

About ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is a multi-award-winning disaster restoration firm serving Chicago, the North Shore, Lake County, Oak Park, and River Forest.

Our specialties include:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Specialty Cleaning

Sam Simon, co-owner, is an IICRC Master Fire & Water Restorer with over 30 years of industry experience. He is also co-author of the book RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset, a homeowner’s guide to fire and water damage recovery.

With over 40 years of local expertise and the backing of ServiceMaster’s national legacy, we’re trusted by homeowners and businesses alike to protect what matters most.