Have you ever wondered what crime scene cleaners make and if the job is right for you? If cleaning up crime scenes seems appealing to you, there are many variables to consider first. Crime scene cleaning is a job that requires a certain kind of person, skill, and demeanor. 

Whether crime scene cleaning is a good job or not is subjective and can depend on individual preferences, skills, and experiences.

What is a Crime Scene Cleaner?

A crime scene cleaner, a biohazard remediation technician, is a trained professional who specializes in cleaning and sanitizing crime scenes, accident scenes, and other locations where hazardous materials may be present. Their job involves removing and disposing of hazardous materials, such as blood, bodily fluids, and other biological materials that may contain harmful pathogens.

Crime scene cleaners must follow strict protocols and safety procedures to ensure that they protect themselves and others from exposure to hazardous materials. They use specialized equipment and cleaning agents to thoroughly clean and disinfect the affected areas, and they may also need to remove and dispose of contaminated materials, such as carpeting or furniture.

In addition to crime scenes, biohazard remediation technicians may also be called upon to clean up after suicides, homicides, unattended deaths, hoarding situations, and other traumatic events. They play an important role in restoring the affected areas to a safe and habitable condition, and helping families and communities recover from these difficult situations.

The skillset of a crime scene cleaner requires both soft and technical skills. Crime scene cleaners are often faced with offering condolences to grief stricken family members while also managing biohazardous waste scenes. The utmost consideration for families on traumatic scenes is important, and if a biohazard remediation technician can’t handle the pressure, it can be a bad situation. We are all human, and these things affect us. The question is if an employee can handle that kind of pressure and not let it bother them on a psychological level. 

Factors to Consider

The following are bullet points to consider when thinking about becoming a crime scene cleaner. It’s important to think hard about these specifics and really consider if this job is right for you. Because the work can be emotionally draining and just plain hard, it can also take a toll on your well-being— or maybe not. Again, it depends on the person.

Pros:

Rewarding Work
Crime scene cleaning involves helping people during difficult times and making spaces safe and habitable again. It is possible to give the people you serve a second chance at living in their spaces again.

Everyday is Different
Crime scene cleaners may work on a wide range of sites, from residential homes to commercial properties, and each job can be different. If you are a person who gets bored easily, this could be a great career fit for you.

Security
Unfortunately, crime happens everywhere, so there is always a need for crime scene cleaning services. Biohazard remediation offers job security and constant cash flow. If consistent pay is of the utmost importance to you, you surely won’t run out of work in this field.

Median Salary
As mentioned earlier, the median annual wage for hazardous materials removal workers, which includes crime scene cleaners, is $43,900. This number has changed with inflation over the years, and of course varies based on where you live and who you work for.

Professional Opportunities
Crime scene cleaners can work their way up to supervisory roles or start their own cleaning business. It is common for business savvy folks to begin their own company after spending some time getting experience working for someone else’s. Crime scene cleaning companies not only gain popularity and repertoire for how well they clean, but also how compassionate and kind they can be to their clients. This kind of compassion and fortitude can only be learned through experience on the job.

Cons

Emotionally Exhausting
As previously mentioned, crime scene cleaners often work in environments where traumatic events have occurred, which can be emotionally challenging. Seeing folks in their hardest times of their entire life can be very hard to witness.

Physically Demanding
Cleaning up crime scenes can be physically demanding, with long hours spent on one’s feet and lifting heavy objects. This job requires a lot of physical activity and a ‘can do’ attitude, as sometimes it takes longer to clean things up than expected.

Dangerous
Crime scenes can be contaminated with biological and chemical materials, which can pose health risks if not handled properly. Although biohazardous remediation techs are trained at length to protect themselves, the consequences can be severe if a mistake is made. There is very little room for error when it comes to protecting yourself against contaminants that can become life-threatening.

Wacky Hours
Crime scene cleaners may need to work irregular hours, including overnight and on weekends, to accommodate the needs of their clients. Since accidents don’t happen on a schedule, a crime scene cleaner has to be available on off hours. Chances are, though, that the company you work for will have specific shifts you can count on.

Salary

The salary of a crime scene cleaner can vary depending on factors such as location, level of experience, and the company they work for. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2020, the median annual wage for hazardous materials removal workers, which includes crime scene cleaners, was $43,900.

The lowest 10 percent of workers in this occupation earned less than $28,350, while the highest 10 percent earned more than $76,080 per year. It’s worth noting that crime scene cleaners may also be paid on an hourly basis, and their hourly rate can range from $15 to $50, depending on the factors mentioned above.

Some people may find crime scene cleaning rewarding and fulfilling, while others may find it emotionally and physically demanding. It is important to carefully consider all factors before deciding if it is the right career path for you.

Clean freaks are… particular. Let’s be honest about that. If you or someone you know takes cleanliness to a whole other level, then we are sure you agree with us. Clean freaks like their stuff and space to be germ-free, smell good and be spotless. 

And as The BIOClean Team, ‘germ-free’ and ‘spotless’ is our job.

When on-site, we utilize specific chemicals to disinfect a biohazardous area properly. But when we’re in our personal lives at home, or cleaning other kinds of messes, we might choose to use softer products instead.

Whether in our personal lives or on the job, we’ve used many different cleaning agents. Some of us prefer to use a more natural and gentle approach in our homes, while others are steadfast bleach users. One thing is for sure: The BIOClean Team are definitely the experts when it comes to getting things squeaky clean. 

Now back to the clean freak that you’re shopping for. 

What if he or she won’t settle for Bleach and Comet? What if the cleanest person in your life loves natural cleaners without the harsh chemicals? Or maybe it’s the opposite; they want to kill germs with fire, with the most acidic chemical they can find. 

Whatever their style, rest assured that we have the perfect Christmas gift for the germaphobe in your life — no matter the chemicals they like to use to kill bacteria. 

Air Freshners 

A clean freak loves to keep their home smelling lovely. Air fresheners come in all kinds of modalities, like plug-ins to spray bottles. Depending on their preference, your clean freak friend or loved one might like one over the other.

Natural Oil Diffusers

For some, a commercial plug-in air freshner is terrible. Since most regular plug-ins are made from artificial scents and chemicals, they can be harsh on the nose.

If your clean-freak-friend is one of those people, we highly recommend using an oil diffuser. You can purchase any oil diffuser on Amazon, Target, or wherever else you like to shop for home goods. A great price point for an oil diffuser is about $20-45 dollars. Make sure to pair the oil diffuser with something bright, like a citrus blend for that super-clean-smell. 

Plug Hub Warmer

Ever heard of a Plug Hub Warmer? These awesome plug ins warm up a scent that is evenly distributed throughout a space. It’s eco friendly, cruelty free, and made with zero toxic chemicals. Plug Hub Warmers are excellent for the clean freak in your life who has kids, pets, or is especially cautious about burning candles and the toxins they omit. If you’re looking to wow your all-natural friend, give them a Plug Hub Warmer. 

Grout Cleaner

Everyone has that friend who is unsettled unless their floors are clean. That same person is also the individual who looks forward to spring cleaning, or cleans when they are stressed out. If the cleanest person you know is one of these people, the following is for them.

As clean freaks ourselves, we find few tasks as satisfying as cleaning grout lines. Cleaning grout lines delivers an unmatched instant gratification. And we have a sneaking suspicion that your clean-freak-friend might feel the same way, too.

Drum roll please..

 

Battery-Powered Power Scrubber and Grout Brush Head 

Isn’t she beautiful? As all-things-squeaky-clean obsessed, this power brush is exciting.This power scrubber looks like a tooth brush, is easy to hold, and makes a noticeable difference quickly. The head of the brush can reach in corners, crevices, and weird shaped spaces. You can use the ‘pulse’ setting or the ‘continuous’ setting, depending on what is being cleaned. In short: it gets hard jobs done with ease.

Best part?  You can snag it on Amazon for less than $30. 

Sparkling Countertops 

Have you ever heard of Grove.co? Grove is a sustainable and natural product company that sells chemical free cleaning agents. Although you won’t find harsh chemicals in their products, your friend will notice how well they work and how good they smell.

Grove Countertop Cleaning Set

This bundle of cleaning goodness is bound to spark some holiday joy. The sturdy backing on the sponges are made of tough-as-nails walnut shells. The glass spray bottle is double walled and made to last, with a silicone sleeve to protect dings. The all-purpose cleaner comes in a 2 pack and lasts a long time. Snag this awesome gift set for only $18.95 on Grove.co. 

Shower Power

Cleaning showers can be quite tedious, even for those that love to put in the work to make it their bathroom shine. And although giving cleaning chemicals to a friend might seem weird, your clean freak buddy will thank you for this one.

 

Wet and Forget Shower

Give your friend or family member the gift of convenience with this wet and set shower cleaner. This shower cleaner is going to allow the debris and build up from showering break down while you clean it the next day. It’s a fantastic option for those who want a spotless bathroom space without the hassle of cleaning everyday. Perfect for busy people or those with kids. 

Pick up this little jug of magic online at Home Depot for $21. 

We hope this little list of goodies was helpful in helping you pick out the perfect gift for the clean freak in your life. Happy holidays! 

Cleaning up after our pets each day poses very little threat to our health. But when conducting animal feces removal from a hoarder’s home or where animals may have been abandoned, the situation can become dangerous. Read below to learn how animal feces removal and urine removal can impose a risk to your health and the health of others.

Animal Feces Removal

Having canines comes with the job of cleaning up poop from time to time—it’s just a fact of life. Some might even say that it’s a small price to pay in comparison to the joy dogs bring to our lives. But when canine owners leave dog feces sitting for an extended period of time to accumulate, the situation can become a health risk to pets and the people who take care of them.

Diseases People Can Contract From Dog Feces

1. Campylobacteriosis

Ever heard of Campylobacteriosis? Campylobacteriosis is a bacterial disease humans can contract from dog poop, and it’s anything but pretty. This nasty disease includes symptoms like diarrhea, fever, extreme cramps, and pain in the abdominals. 

Campylobacteriosis generally lasts for a week, but for those with weaker immune systems, campylobacteriosis can last for much longer. Immunocompromised individuals can experience life-threatening infections if this bacterial disease makes its way to their bloodstream

2. E. coli

Much like campylobacteriosis, E. coli is a very real and potentially life-threatening bacteria that can cause mayhem in the body. Symptoms are synonymous with what one would experience with campylobacteriosis: nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and fever. However, E. coli poses an even more serious infection for weakened immune systems and can end in death.

3. Salmonellosis

Did you know you can contract Salmonellosis from dog poop? Salmonella is not just a bacterial disease humans can contract from undercooked food. This nasty infection can be transmitted through animal feces as well, specifically dog poop.

4. Yersiniosis

Yersiniosis is another bacterial infection that is usually detected in the water. Never swim in water where animal feces may have contaminated the space. 

Unfortunately, it gets worse.

Parasites

Among an array of especially disturbing parasites, tapeworms and roundworms are the most common cause for concern when it comes to dog poop. Roundworm makes its way into the human body where larvae can travel to the brain, heart, eyes, lungs, and kidneys. Roundworm larvae can also cause a person to lose their vision. 

While tapeworms won’t bring about blindness or infect your heart, they can still do an insurmountable amount of damage. Tapeworms like to seep into the human body through the skin, infecting their victims through the pores. Tapeworms like to attach to a person’s intestines and suck the nutrients from the tissues.

Cat Urine

If you have a cat, know a cat, or have ever spent time with a cat, you probably know that their urine smells foul. That foul-smelling odor is ammonia, which is a toxic gas that can make someone sick pretty quickly. When cat urine is not cleaned up, it solidifies, making the concentration of ammonia higher. That’s why cleaning up cat urine, especially urine that has sat for a long time is considered dangerous to your health. 

Cats are able to transmit a bacterial disease called Toxoplasma Gondii, which can cause severe to life-threatening health risks—especially for pregnant women. 

People who are not pregnant and do not have compromised immune systems usually experience Toxoplasma Gondii like they would the flu. Sore muscles, a headache, and swollen lymph nodes can last for weeks to months. Those with weaker immune systems, like pregnant women, endure much more serious and life-threatening symptoms. Pregnant women may experience miscarriages. Babies exposed to Toxoplasma can be born stillborn or with abnormally large or small heads.

When To Call Us

It’s important to know when you need the help of a professional and when you can take on the issue by yourself. If you consider cleaning up a hoarder’s home, or a place where animals have been left inside for long periods of time, don’t risk your health doing so. 

Without proper protection, removing animal feces and urine can cause life-threatening illnesses that don’t go away overnight. These bacterial diseases can diminish a person’s quality of life for a long time, or even potentially take a person’s life, depending on the exposure.

If you’re unsure of the right way to handle your animal waste problem, we invite you to give us a call. The BIOClean Team happily serves Southern California and Las Vegas.

 

 

First Off, What Is a Biohazard Cleanup Company?

A biohazard cleanup company is an organization that removes biohazardous waste from commercial, industrial, and residential spaces. Biohazardous waste includes human body fluids, microbiological waste, sharps, pathological waste, and animal waste.

These types of waste are dangerous to people, animals, and the environment, which is why it’s important to know when you can clean up a situation on your own or when you need to hire a professional cleanup company. 

Biohazard Cleanup companies are trained and licensed professionals who understand different types of waste and what exactly to do with each kind of waste. The cleanup crew will enter the site of the space in protective gear, armed with the tools necessary to disinfect and clean the area affected. These individuals follow state rules and regulations in order to keep people safe and healthy.

Can You Clean up Animal Waste By Yourself?

We’ve all cleaned up after our pets at home, but when does animal waste become dangerous? In most instances, animal waste becomes dangerous in hoarder/animal hoarder situations and with poorly managed livestock.

When urine and feces accumulate in a hoarder’s home, they emit ammonia, bacteria, and viruses that can become airborne—making them unsafe to handle without the help of a biohazard cleanup crew.

In some extreme hoarding situations, dead animals can get lost in the home and those carcasses attract insects and rodents that carry diseases. Cleaning a hoarder’s home poses health risks on its own, and shouldn’t be done without the help of a professional cleanup team. However, if you’re cleaning a hoarder’s home and notice animal waste or animal body parts, you should call a licensed cleanup company immediately to handle the situation instead. 

Cat urine is especially dangerous.

Chances are that you’ve smelt the strong odor of cat pee before. This smell is a chemical called ammonia, and when cat urine sits for a long time, this chemical becomes concentrated. All feces and urine can transmit bacterial infections to humans, but cat urine is the culprit of Toxoplasma Gondii; a nasty disease that can cause pregnant women to experience miscarriages or give birth to stillborn babies. 

In short: if there are animal body parts, carcasses, an excessive accumulation of feces and urine, or contaminated animal bedding, you should call a cleanup company to do the dirty work for you!

Cleaning Up Blood And Bodily Fluids

It’s important to know when it’s safe to clean up blood and bodily fluids and when it’s not. If you’ve scratched your knee or cut your finger, you’re probably just fine to clean up the blood on your own. But things change when there is a traumatic accident to clean up. Traumatic accidents happen anywhere and everywhere humans are, which can make cleanup especially tricky. 

Blood is a biohazard because it may contain pathogens that can spread disease if not disinfected immediately, and correctly. When serious accidents take place, including anything from a crime scene to suicide, the blood left behind becomes a threat to public safety. 

Do not clean up traumatic events that include blood, human tissue, or body fluids by yourself. There is a life-threatening difference between cleaning up a scraped arm and cleaning up human remains and blood. Biohazard cleanup teams are trained and licensed through the state to do this kind of work for you.

This ensures others are safe from pathogen exposure, disease, and airborne illnesses.

When Mold Becomes Dangerous

Depending on where you live, mold can be common. But how do you know when it’s time to bring an expert in? Generally, if the moldy spot is 3 square feet or smaller, you can potentially take care of it yourself. If the mold is growing past those dimensions, though, it’s time to call in a biohazardous clean-up company.

Mold happens for a myriad of reasons, but one of those reasons can be a leak in your waterline somewhere. A water restoration company might be able to remedy the issue for you, but if not taken care of right away, the situation can grow into a very serious threat to your health. 

Symptoms from exposure to mold can take time to develop. Common symptoms range anywhere from asthma attacks to headaches, to difficulty breathing. Some side effects can last for a long time and can greatly affect your quality of life. 

If you see mold in your home, call a professional immediately to figure out what actions need to be taken. An expert will help you to decide what to do next, but in most cases, do not try to clean up mold on your own. It’s simply not worth the risk.

We’re the Biohazard Cleanup Team You Need

We pride ourselves on being the team you can call to handle the worst days of your life — and the most challenging tasks you’ve ever faced.  From traumatic accidents to sewage leaks, we’re the folks you can trust to get the job done. 

Contact us today for questions, concerns, and more information about your waste needs and how we can help. We’re here to help 24/7, 7 days a week.

Here at The BIOClean Team, we operate by one simple rule: service first. 

Blood stains aren’t as rare as we might hope. Whether it’s a paper cut at our desk or too deep a slice in the kitchen blood has a way of finding itself on tables, counters, and yes carpet. But don’t fret, you don’t need to call in a heavy-duty cleaning crew for every spot and spill. This time on the BIOClean Team blog, we’re going to walk you through how to get blood out of carpet.

 

How to Get Blood Out of Carpet When It’s Fresh, Dry, and Everything In Between

 

Your first priority when a cut happens should always be first aid. Once you’ve seen to whatever wound was causing the blood loss, who knows how long has passed. Follow these steps and your carpet will be clean again in no time.

 

Before You Start

Before you get to work, know a few things. The longer the blood has had to sit on the carpet the longer it has had to set. When it comes to cleaning blood out of carpet, use cold water as hot water will speed up the blood stain setting. So keep the heat out of this when you can. 

 

Know the Carpet

Different types of carpet will have different cleaning needs. Make sure you understand what your floors are so you can adjust the process accordingly. Similarly, make sure you’re reading the instructions carefully on whatever cleaning agent you are using, and test it on out of sight spots to be sure you’re getting the right effect.

 

Here is a quick rundown of what you may need to know based on your type of carpet.

 

Polyester

Good news! Polyester is a synthetic material that is stain resistant, making it one of the easiest types of carpets to clean with simple blotting. Nice!

 

Wool

Wool is a sensitive material and it holds onto moisture. That means to clean it you need to go for gentle blotting motions and be careful to use only the amount of water you need to treat the stain. 

 

Acrylic 

Acrylic carpet material shows stains faster than others. The special requirements for these? Get to them fast! 

 

Nylon

Carpet made of nylon is more susceptible to fading and being discolored, both by stains and cleaning solutions. IThis means doing a test patch is absolutely necessary to ensure you’re not going to damage the carpet. You also want to avoid scrubbing the carpet as it can ruin the pile.

 

OK, with those first thoughts out of the way, now let’s gather up the needed cleaning supplies before we get to work.

Cleaning Supplies Needed

• Disposable gloves
• Paper towels
• Carpet cleaner/stain remover (more on this later) 
• Clean Rag
• Cold water
• Bowl or Bucket
• Brush
• Vacuum

 

How to Choose the Right Blood Stain Remover for Your Carpet

Blood stains want to stick to carpet fibers tightly. This is thanks to the hemoglobin in the blood, which holds onto those fibers like there’s no tomorrow. This makes it difficult to remove from carpets, but not impossible! You just need to use the right remover for your particular scenario (stain + carpet type). Here are a few options.

 

Dishwashing Liquid

Simple and effective, dishwashing liquid is a popular stain remover for fresh or dry blood. Mix with cold water (2 cups water to 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid) for best results.

 

Ammonia

When soap just won’t do, some folks turn to ammonia. Mixing a half a cup of lukewarm water with a tablespoon of ammonia. Treat the stain, then blog with a cloth and cold water. Don’t use on wool!

 

Hydrogen Peroxide 

Hydrogen peroxide is another option. It works by breaking the chemical bonds present in blood, which also undoes the color. When it comes to using hydrogen peroxide though it can take several treatments to work through the stains, so don’t get discouraged.

 

These are just a few of the potential cleaning solutions you can use. Pick your favorite and let’s move on. With the tools gathered and the right cleaning agent prepared now we can get down to brass tacks.

 

How to Get Fresh Blood Stain From Carpet

If the blood stain is fresh, then you’re going to have a better chance of cleaning it fast and efficiently, without leaving any lasting stain.

 

Step 1 – Blot

Glove up and take a paper towel and gently blot at the stain to remove excess blood. Do not rub or scrub. That can spread the blood around and make the stain worse. Avoid that.

 

Step  2 – Prep the Stain Remover

Whatever you decided to go with for the stain remover now is the time to prep your mix. Whether it’s cold water and dish soap, ammonia, or hydrogen peroxide, now is the time to get it ready. Start with a less is more approach, and test the area you’re going to be using.

 

Step 3 – Blot the Stain, Again

With the stain remover of choice prepared, take your clean cloth, dip it in the solution and begin to blot the top of the stain, gently. Remember, no rub, no scrub. If you’re using a clean white rag this can help as the transfer of stain from carpet to rag will be easier to spot, showing you it’s working. Keep wetting the cloth, blotting, and rinsing until all of the blood stain is removed. This may take several passes.

 

Step 4 – Blot with Dry Towels

With dry cloth or paper towels, blot the spot to remove any water lingering in the carpet. If the area is large, grab a fan and set it up to help dry it quickly.

 

But what if the stain is set?

 

How to Remove Set Blood Stains from Carpet

Acting fast is the best way to make sure your carpet doesn’t get stained but that’s not always possible of course. When it comes to removing set stains it will be more difficult, but it’s not impossible – usually.

 

Step 1 – Break Up the Dried Blood

Remember that brush in the tools list? Now is it’s time to shine. Use the brush to break up the dried blood stain without damaging the carpet fibers. Work from the edge of the stain toward the middle. If fibers are stuck together because of the blood you can use a plastic knife to help loosen things up.

 

Step 2 – Vacuum

With the stain thoroughly brushed and loosened you can now bring out the vacuum to pull up solid, dried flecks. This will make the stain removal process so much easier so make sure you follow it, even if it’s just a once over. 

 

Step 3 – Stain Remover Time

Apply the stain remover to the carpet, first in a hidden place so you can see how it will work on the carpet. Give it time, after all, since the blood stain is already set, you’re not in any rush. If after a day the carpet hasn’t discolored then you know you’re good to go! Apply the remover to the stain, just enough to get the stain moist – soaking the spot can damage the carpet and the flooring below it.

 

Let the stain remover work for about five minutes, soaking into the fibers properly, and getting into the stain. The stain has had time to bond to the carpet fibers, let the remover have time to bind to the stain too.

 

Step 4 – Blot, Blot, Blot

After letting the carpet cleaner/stain remover work its magic, it’s time to blot the stain with a wet cloth and cold water. Blot, repeatedly to remove as much of the stain as possible, then let it dry, and repeat the process. Bring in a fan to help the drying process if necessary. If the stain is still visible after completely drying, start again back at Step 1 – some stains will need a few passes to completely remove them, or at least make them small enough not to be noticeable.

Once you’ve completed the cleaning, toss away the gloves, and make sure everything is safely cleaned and sanitized. Hopefully, with this guide you can get your own carpets back to where you need them to be. For some jobs the mess is too great or there’s a real concern about biohazardous waste and bloodborne pathogens. In those instances, you need to call in the professionals, call in The BIOClean Team.

Last time on the blog we talked about how to help a loved one who is struggling with a hoarding disorder. Through recognizing the signs, empathizing and encouraging them to seek out help, and celebrating their victories you can help your loved one overcome their struggles. But just as there are things you can do to help, there are definitely things you should avoid! This time on the BIOClean blog, what to avoid when trying to help a hoarder.

 

Don’t Touch Things Without Permission

People who are fighting a hoarding desire have strong emotional attachments and compulsions with their belongings. It might not be clear and obvious to you, but they’re there and there’s not necessarily obvious reasons behind it. You want to be careful not to cause them any excess distress or make the problem worse by touching things without their permission. Their anxiety around belongings often has roots in not having something they fear is needed or having it taken away from them. That’s why throwing things away without the person hoarding it expressing their permission is a recipe for disaster. It will make the person upset, angry at you for doing it and they’re less likely to seek out further help from you or anyone else.

Don’t Judge Them

If we encourage you to empathize with them, the opposite is also true: don’t judge them. The anxiety and associated problems with hoarding disorder predisposes the hoarder to feeling less than, afraid of being judged. So if you truly want to help, do your best to avoid casting any judgments on them or their behavior yes it may be difficult, but they need you to be empathetic and caring, not another voice of judgment that they already know or fear. 

Temper Expectations

If the hoarder in your life agrees to clean up or change, don’t expect it to happen over night. They didn’t accumulate a house full of stuff over night, it will take them longer than that to clear it out. Having that expectation will only cause frustrations in them and you. And hoarding isn’t just about gathering stuff it’s about the emotional baggage that comes along with it. Reckoning with that is more than an overnight job.

And don’t expect perfection in this change either! It’s going to be incredibly difficult for them to make this change, even with support and professional help. Don’t try and make them feel like they have do it immediately, perfectly, first try. That’s not sustainable and just leads to frustration. Gradual changes are more likely and effective. 

Don’t Enable or Encourage Hoarding Behavior

Of course you’d never think to encourage hoarding behavior, but you might not realize that some of the things you’re doing could be enabling it. For instance – what do you do for your loved one’s birthday? Do you give them a gift, a physical object? Do you go shopping with them? Do you hold on to or store anything for them? You see how even the best intentions of some of these could enable or encourage hoarding behavior.

Cleaning up after them is another way of enabling their behavior. Having someone else take care of their messes can remove one more reason for them to see that they need to get help and change things. You can help them go through things and organize them, but you can’t take care of something and expect to get to root problem.

 

And when it comes time to clear out those hoarding spaces when they have grappled with their troubles? Call in a professional hoarding clean-up services like BIOClean Team to help take care of it! 

Compassionate, Trusted, and Professional

Here at The BIOClean Team, we talk a lot about hoarding cleanup services. But what if the person in your life who is struggling isn’t ready for a cleanup yet? Or what if they are just starting to struggle with hoarding and you can see it happening early? This time on the BIOClean Team blog, we’re going to talk about how to help a hoarder.

To put it briefly to help a hoarder you need to:

• Recognize!
• Empathize!
• Encourage!
• Volunteer!
• Celebrate!

How to Help a Hoarder

Recognize the Signs

Recognizing the signs of hoarding is a huge first step.  Hoarding creates an unlivable, and potentially dangerous living space and the sooner someone gets help the better. The signs of hoarding include:

• Difficulty, or inability to throw or give away possessions, regardless of value
• Experiencing negative emotions and distress when trying to throw or give away possessions
• Living area filled with stuff, areas blocked and unusable.
• Feelings of safety when surrounded by things

If any of these sound familiar? Yeah you might have a hoarder on your hands. And these behaviors are rarely present in a vacuum. Frequently, people with hoarding disorder have other issues that are associated with hoarding, many of which may also be undiagnosed. An example. Someone who has struggles hoarding may also have other troubles with indecision, an inability to concentrate and avoid distractions, as well as dealing with depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders.

Empathize with Them

Chances are this isn’t how the person would like to be living. They’re feeling trapped, anxious, upset, over a wide number of things and issues in life. This behavior can also isolate the person, causing them to drop out of social life and experience. It can cause problems with relationships. The person experiencing the disorder may avoid loved ones and friends for fear of being judged. Show that you empathize with them, that you will listen and help prevent that spiral. 

Understand that hoarding disorder isn’t necessarily about the “stuff.” It’s often about much more, and there are underlying causes. Realize that your focus as you’re working to help your friend shouldn’t necessarily be the objects, but those factors that are contributing to the behaviors.

Encourage Them To Seek Professional Help

Many folks with hoarding troubles know there is an issue, but, as you might expect, their difficulties can make the prospect of getting help overwhelming. Support services and treatment are out there for hoarders and while you can’t make someone get care, by encouraging them and helping them overcome those perceived difficulties it can make the process so much easier for the hoarder to get help. You can even research options for them and present the info to them. If they’re ready, and you’ve proven an empathetic ally, they just might make the leap.

Volunteer to Help

Whether it’s around the house in the cleanup, or with any other hurdle that is causing them troubles, getting outside help from an empathetic and encouraging friend can mean all the difference between getting stuck and failing, and seeing it through to completion. Helping get them to meetings, clear out rooms, or just help them take their mind off the problem, there are plenty of ways for an empathetic friend or family member to be the support they need.

Celebrate Their Victories

Celebrate the victories, no matter how small with your friend. For one, they did something incredibly difficult for them, and are attempting to change their lives for the better, that should be celebrated! It also will help positively reinforce the behavior changes and help offset the anxiety and nerves they’re experiencing as they seek help or clear out spaces. Even the smallest step in the right direction is worth celebrating!

These are just a few of the steps you can take to help and support your friend or family member fighting a hoarding disorder. Recognize their struggles, empathize with them, encourage them to seek help, volunteer that help, and celebrate their victories with them! All of that together can go a long way to help your loved one overcome their troubles.

And when it comes time to clear out those hoarding spaces? Call in a professional hoarding clean-up service like BIOClean Team to help take care of it! 

Compassionate, Trusted, and Professional

April showers bring May flowers, but do you know what else can come with the increased moisture? Right! Mold. Somebody has been following our blog this month! To get ahead of any potential mold trouble, this time on the BIOClean Team blog we’re talking mold prevention and how to handle it when it does creep up! Without further preamble let’s get into it.

How to Prevent Mold Contamination and Growth?

Mold can grow just about everywhere so long as there is a little bit of moisture present. Even in deserts after a bad storm mold can crop up. With that in mind then the best way to prevent mold is to limit the amount of moisture in the air.

First – Find the source of the moisture in your home or building and get rid of it. If there’s a leak, fix it, if it’s pooling water from rain look at finding some drainage solutions.

Now keep the humidity between 30-50% using the following methods:

• Vent showers, laundry rooms, and other sources of moisture to the outside.
• Use air conditioners or dehumidifiers to control humidity
• Use your exhaust fans when cooking, cleaning, or laundering food to send moisture outdoors
• Insulate cold surfaces to prevent condensation build up
• Make sure the HVAC system is well maintained
• Any floods or spills should be cleaned up immediately to prevent the moisture from spreading
• Reduce how much water is used when carpet cleaning
• Avoid installing carpet close to water fixtures or near areas prone to leaks, condensation or flooding

To stay even further on top of it, there are devices you can purchase that measure and monitor the moisture levels of things such as drywall and wood. 

Ok, so you know how to prevent it – now what about cleaning it up?

 

How to Clean Up Mold?

When it comes time to clean up the mold, the first step is to find out why the mold is present/why the moisture was so high. Once you have identified this, FIX IT FIRST. If you let a leak continue any cleanup efforts will be fighting an uphill battle as the moisture will just keep supporting the mold growth. That’s no good!

 

When mold has been spotted, any porous material (drywall, ceiling tiles, books, paper, cardboard, fabrics) needs to be thrown out and replaced. It may even be necessary to toss carpets, cushions, mattresses, furniture, etc. because spores can live inside these materials and come back down the line.

Ok, with that out of the way how to clean up the mold: Hire a Trained, Certified Cleaner! Even small patches of mold require the proper equipment and training to clean and sanitize safely!

Now, when it comes down to how to clean up the mold it really does depend on the extent of the damage.  

Homeowners can clean a small area themselves with soap and water, if it reappears after you’ve cleaned it, then something isn’t quite right and you need a professional.

Here are some general steps to dealing with a single small isolated area (no larger than a couple of square feet).

• Use a mask/respiratory protection such as an N-95 disposable respirator
• Use rubber gloves and eye protection
• Remove any materials that will be difficult to clean and/or seal with plastic sheeting and tape to prevent any spread of mold or dust
• Clean the surfaces with soap or detergent solution
• Don’t get your drywall too wet
• Avoid kicking up dust
• While cleaning the area, make sure it is only used by those cleaning it with proper protection on 

For anything much larger than that it is crucial that you call an expert who can do the job safely and correctly. The BIOClean Team is here to help!

 

For the most part, you don’t have to worry about biohazards cropping up in your home gradually – these are usually abrupt accidents or events that create a dangerous conditions. Mold however is another beast entirely. This month on the BIOClean Team Blog, we’re looking at Mold and fungi, indoor air quality, and everything you need to know about how it grows, why it’s dangerous, and next time how to prevent and handle mold contaminations!

 

Why Does Mold Grow In Homes and Buildings?

It’s rude isn’t it? Our homes and buildings are meant to shelter us from the weather and nature and yet mold and fungi find their ways inside and make the space dangerous. Mold and fungi serve a necessary purpose out in nature of course, breaking down organic material like wood, leaves, and other plant matter. But when they come into a home it’s downright nasty. Typically the micro-organisms that mold and fungi begin as will get into a building carried on the air. They’ll find a spot of wood, drywall, fabric, upholster, wallpaper, drapes, even carpeting and take hold. Then with moisture the fungi and molds can grow. In areas of homes that get more moist than others, like basements, bathrooms, or kitchens, the ideal conditions are met for mold to grow.

 

What other reasons are there for mold to grow indoors? Mold growth can be the result of:

 

• Flooding
• Leaks in the roof
• Leaks in the plumbing
• Buildings that are sealed up tight and prevent moisture from escaping
• Sources such as cooking facilities, showers, bathtubs, etc.
• Excessive humidity

What Kinds of Mold Are There?

Some of the more common types of mold found in buildings include:

• Aspergillus sp.
• Alternaria sp.
• Cladosporum sp.
• Fusarium sp.
• Memnoniella sp.
• Penicillium sp.
• Stachybotrys chartarum (a.k.a. Stachybotrys atra, or black mold)
• Trichoderma sp.

 

Now here’s the thing – you don’t need to try and identify what kind of mold is growing in your home or building. The CDC says all mold should be treated the same with equal risks to health. You see mold you get a professional to clear it out!

What Health Problems Do Molds Cause?

So if the CDC says all molds should be treated as if they cause the same harm – what harm can they cause? Let’s get intot hat. The presence of mold doesn’t always guarantee that health problems will happen but some people can develop serious health problems when breathing in mold or spores. Many molds also create mycotoxins, by-products that are toxic to people.

The most commonly reported symptoms include:

 

• Eye, nose, and throat irritation
• Cough or congestion
• Aggravation of asthma
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Difficulty concentrating
• Exacerbate allergies

 

Those who are immuno-compromised, or revering from a surgery or procedure are more susceptible to health problems caused by molds.

How to Spot Mold Troubles

Wondering if you have mold problems? Doing an inspection of a potential new property? The most common and reliable method of spotting mold troubles is simple – use your eyes! Look for water damage and staining, molds will look like dark spots, patches, or stains. 

Specifically, look at:

• Ceiling tiles
• Walls (plaster, wallpaper, and condition of drywall)
• Cardboard or paper
• Floors
• Window sills
• Insulation
• Carpet
• Furniture (condition of fabric, upholstery, etc.).

 

If you’re able, look behind any ductwork and walls. Check for standing water, any spots where puddles of water around or under sinks, tubs, etc. These can contribute to moisture and help mold grow.

We’ll put a pin in this here for now as our next blog will dive fully into preventing mold and handling it when it crops up. If you’re currently dealing with a full-blown mold catastrophe give us a call and The BIOClean Team can help!