When a natural death occurs in a home or other property, the cleanup can be daunting and traumatic, especially if the deceased has been left unnoticed for a period of time. In most circumstances, it’s important to have the property cleaned top to bottom by a professional trauma cleaning company to eliminate any potential health risks.

This blog post will be discussing:

The risks involved in cleaning the property yourself.
Whether decomposing bodies carry more risks?
Why you should hire a professional to clean a natural death
What you should look for in a trauma cleaning company
What is the process of cleaning a natural death?
What if the death is suspicious?

What are the risks involved in cleaning a property yourself after someone has died?

Although cleaning a trauma scene from a natural death might seem feasible, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks involved as most death cleanups can carry significant health risks.

Trauma cleaning specialist Graham Hickman from Complete Environmental Services says “Like any trauma cleaning, there are always significant risk factors involved in cleaning an area where there has been a death. If the property isn’t cleaned effectively, there is a risk of biohazard exposure to anyone who enters the area. This can lead to bacterial infections such as MRSA and tetanus, or even exposure to HIV or hepatitis. It’s therefore imperative that you seek professional advice and use a reputable company to clean the contaminated area, especially if the body is badly decomposed.”

Do decomposing bodies carry more risks?

If a body is found badly decomposed, it can increase the risk of infection or contamination. When a body decomposes, it releases fluids and gases that contaminate the surrounding area. If these fluids are not cleaned properly, they can infect others with diseases such as Hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis and clostridium difficile.

Why should I hire a professional to clean a natural death?

A professional trauma cleaning company will have the experience and expertise to clean the property safely and thoroughly, ensuring that all biohazardous materials are eliminated. They will also wear protective PPE that will ensure that they are protecting themselves and those around them from cross-decontamination.

What should I look for in a trauma cleaning company?

Reputable trauma cleaners will be accredited carrying such licences as the National Association of Crime Scene Cleaners (NACSC) or the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc). An IOSH accreditation is also a good indication of experience and safety standards. All of these accreditations hold significant weight and will demonstrate that the company follows best practices.

Deaths are traumatic, and only qualified specialists will be fully equipped to handle all aspects of the cleaning and operations diplomatically.

What is the process of cleaning a natural death?

The process of cleaning a natural death will vary depending on the circumstances and the extent of the contamination. However, it will typically involve the following:

Thorough cleaning and decontamination of all surfaces, including floors, walls and ceilings.
Removal and disposal of biohazardous materials such as bodily fluids or blood.
Total waste removal of decontaminated furnishings.

What if the death is suspicious?

If the death is deemed to be suspicious, then it is important to contact the police as evidence will need to be collected within the property. Trauma cleaners don’t only have the experience to deal with natural deaths they also are fully qualified to deal with crime scene cleaning, road traffic accident cleaning and suicide cleaning.