Unfortunate and nasty job

[Andrew C]

Got a call from a customer today. Sadly her friend has passed away on the landing (carpet) and needs an emergency cleaning done today.

I've only done one of these cleanings before and not sure how to approach it.

I've got all the chems I know I would need, microban, hydrocide, and my TM.

Can anyone give me the breakdown on how to approach it. What chems to spray down, how much of each chem to use? How much would you charge? It's only a small landing, but without taking advantage of these people I'm thinking $250 minimum.

I usually like to keep my Saturday's free, but I'd like to help these people out, and make a bit of money while doing it.

 

[envy]

It probably matters how long she was there and how she passed away. The times I had to clean things like this was when it was family and was two very different cleanings.

I'm sure I didn't do it the right way and one time we replaced the carpet anyway after but wanted it looking as ok as possible before the immediate family came through.

 

[Andrew C]

I think they want it to look good for the immediate family arriving.

But yes, I want to know what the "right" steps would be to doing this. Not sure how long it has been.

Going to be doing it later this afternoon.

 

[Suction Junkie]

You shouldn't be doing that type of work without proper training

 

[LookNGood]

I don't want to sound insensitive. But did the person simply pass? Or did they fall leaving bodily fluids? That is imo two completely different things.

But in general I would say you might want to pass.

 

[the organic cleaner]

Got a call from a customer today. Sadly her friend has passed away on the landing (carpet) and needs an emergency cleaning done today.

I've only done one of these cleanings before and not sure how to approach it.

I've got all the chems I know I would need, microban, hydrocide, and my TM.

Can anyone give me the breakdown on how to approach it. What chems to spray down, how much of each chem to use? How much would you charge? It's only a small landing, but without taking advantage of these people I'm thinking $250 minimum.

I usually like to keep my Saturday's free, but I'd like to help these people out, and make a bit of money while doing it.

Andrew:
There just isn't enough information here for anyone to truly give an honest answer.
1. Is there blood, waste, body fluids present?
2. Odor?
If there's is any body fluids present. STOP!!!
Get some rubber gloves double or triple them up. Eye protection, respirator, hair net optional, shoe guard covers. That's a simple beginning.
Chances are the carpet will need to be pulled back, treat it like a pet odor or a water damage. Remove the padding, clean the sub flooring, sanitize, and dry. Also clean backside of the carpet, sanitize, deo, dry it. Replace pad, relay carpet, clean, disinfect, sanitize surface fibers. You'll need a good Oxy product. 3% works although I'd go with 7% food grade.
Or you get lucky and just recommend replacement and not go through all this and more. Cuz I hadn't even covered all.

Think about having to then clean all your hoses, waste tank, wand all tools. You wouldn't want to bring that contamination into another clients home.

 

[Andrew C]

Andrew:
There just isn't enough information here for anyone to truly give an honest answer.
1. Is there blood, waste, body fluids present?
2. Odor?
If there's is any body fluids present. STOP!!!
Get some rubber gloves double or triple them up. Eye protection, respirator, hair net optional, shoe guard covers. That's a simple beginning.
Chances are the carpet will need to be pulled back, treat it like a pet odor or a water damage. Remove the padding, clean the sub flooring, sanitize, and dry. Also clean backside of the carpet, sanitize, deo, dry it. Replace pad, relay carpet, clean, disinfect, sanitize surface fibers. You'll need a good Oxy product. 3% works although I'd go with 7% food grade.
Or you get lucky and just recommend replacement and not go through all this and more. Cuz I hadn't even covered all.

Think about having to then clean all your hoses, waste tank, wand all tools. You wouldn't want to bring that contamination into another clients home.

I gave all the information I had. Use your imagination...someone died on he carpet.

Thanks for the breakdown though.

I ended up passing on the job. Recommended they get it replaced, and left it at that. They just wanted it looking good for family coming in, but I told them for the money I would charge would be better to put that towards new carpet.

 

[Andrew C]

You shouldn't be doing that type of work without proper training

What kind of training would prepare you for that?

I would say I have the experience and training necessary to do the job, but it's been a while since I did anything like it.

 

[sbsscn]

I agree not enough info provided. If the person just dropped because of natural causes and not suicide or bodily fluids involved is one thing. But if the person shot himself or bodily fluids involved then you did the right thing pass. Get some aftermath trauma training and Hazardous material handling too. Look into it. It makes very good money

 

[Suction Junkie]

What kind of training would prepare you for that?

I would say I have the experience and training necessary to do the job, but it's been a while since I did anything like it.

There are certifications and specialized training, tons of liability involved and dangers present, if you have no idea what I'm talking about, you need to find out.

I have a buddy that is a trauma scene specialist, I'll ask him for some ways to get started

 

[aloha one]

There are certifications and specialized training, tons of liability involved and dangers present, if you have no idea what I'm talking about, you need to find out.

I have a buddy that is a trauma scene specialist, I'll ask him for some ways to get started

Mornin' Junkie!

 

[Andrew C]

There are certifications and specialized training, tons of liability involved and dangers present, if you have no idea what I'm talking about, you need to find out.

I have a buddy that is a trauma scene specialist, I'll ask him for some ways to get started

That's ok. Like I said, only had 2 of these jobs in 7 years.

That's why I posted on here...to find out.

Why such an attitude in all your posts? If you have no idea what I'm talking about, you need to figure it out. Get off your high horse.

 

[aloha one]

There are certifications and specialized training, tons of liability involved and dangers present, if you have no idea what I'm talking about, you need to find out.

I have a buddy that is a trauma scene specialist, I'll ask him for some ways to get started

Trauma Clean up? Snow Shovel & a Jug of Bleach!

 

[Common janitor]

That's ok. Like I said, only had 2 of these jobs in 7 years.

That's why I posted on here...to find out.

Why such an attitude in all your posts? If you have no idea what I'm talking about, you need to figure it out. Get off your high horse.

I know my local Interlink has a Trauma Scene class every so often .
If you have one near you check it out. Worked cleaning in a local hospital and that's no joke about gloving up etc. Ran in to some real nasty things there. That was real good of you to tell the folks about replacing the carpet and your cost. You cared about them and I'm sure they will remember that . Good man.
All the Best, Ed

 

[aloha one]

I know my local Interlink has a Trauma Scene class every so often .
If you have one near you check it out. Worked cleaning in a local hospital and that's no joke about gloving up etc. Ran in to some real nasty things there. That was real good of you to tell the folks about replacing the carpet and your cost. You cared about them and I'm sure they will remember that . Good man.
All the Best, Ed

Shovel & A Bucket of Bleach!

 

[Common janitor]

Shovel & A Bucket of Bleach!

Top of the morning to you Brother Dave !! Yep, dang near had to break the shovel out once . Used a lot of bleach too !! Crazy some of the things I had to clean up . Wouldn't trade the experience for the world though . Learned a lot so it was worth it .
All the Best, Ed

 

[aloha one]

Top of the morning to you Brother Dave !! Yep, dang near had to break the shovel out once . Used a lot of bleach too !! Crazy some of the things I had to clean up . Wouldn't trade the experience for the world though . Learned a lot so it was worth it .
All the Best, Ed

Top Of the Day to You Too Ed....Next time when dealing with Corpes.. Pressure Warsh them into the Drain!

 

[aloha one]

Top of the morning to you Brother Dave !! Yep, dang near had to break the shovel out once . Used a lot of bleach too !! Crazy some of the things I had to clean up . Wouldn't trade the experience for the world though . Learned a lot so it was worth it .
All the Best, Ed

What's a DEAD Man Say? Nuttin Honey! Abuse them I say! My Family sez Dave..You know someday you will DIE..What do want us to do with you? I sez BLOW ME!

 

[Prosteam-sonomacounty]

I wouldn't have passed unless they had an aversion to paying top dollar.
Doing a job like that is a PITA. There's the gear that you have to wear and then throw away. It's hot and uncomfortable in that shit.
There's the extra time for thoroughness and noxious Chema you'll need to use.
And then there's the clean up of any tools that were in the home.
They're not going to get new carpet before their guests arrive so it's not like you did them any favors.
The fact that the cleaning is in excess of replacement costs isn't relevant.
I would have explained the liability and the expense and effort that goes into a death scene.
$500 sounds right and they would have been happy to pay under the circumstances.
Everybody wins. They get a horrible situation sorted out by a pro and you get $500 for about an hours worth of work.

 

[aloha one]

I wouldn't have passed unless they had an aversion to paying top dollar.
Doing a job like that is a PITA. There's the gear that you have to wear and then throw away. It's hot and uncomfortable in that shit.
There's the extra time for thoroughness and noxious Chema you'll need to use.
And then there's the clean up of any tools that were in the home.
They're not going to get new carpet before their guests arrive so it's not like you did them any favors.
The fact that the cleaning is in excess of replacement costs isn't relevant.
I would have explained the liability and the expense and effort that goes into a death scene.
$500 sounds right and they would have been happy to pay under the circumstances.
Everybody wins. They get a horrible situation sorted out by a pro and you get $500 for about an hours worth of work.

.
Go To Walmart..Buy a Bigger Rug Cover it UP..and Spayr Odo Ban on IT! Collect & Boogie! Not like the Dead one will CARE!