Our Specialty
Cleaning to us it more than just a job, we take pride in helping make a better, healthier and safer living environment. Hoarding and squalid environments pose health and safety risks that can be harmful for everyone that lives there and everyone that enters the property.
Hoarding definition:
"A persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them."
We understand that having a loved one that hoards can be difficult and confronting but we assure you, our cleaners are experienced in tackling the difficulties that come with hoarding. We understand that people who suffer with hoarding are emotionally attached all items they keep and it is extremely difficult for a loved one to get involved in the clean up process.
Hoarding is considered as a mental illness and raises moderate to severe concern for health and safety of people who reside in the property.
Squalor definition:
"the state of being extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially as a result of neglect."
There are two main pathways to squalor, domestic neglect such as failing to remove/ clean rubbish or biohazard materials and hoarding such as excess accumulation of items.
What we consider the difference between the hoarding and squalor cleans is the handling of different biohazards, including live and dead animals, faeces, urine, and other body fluids.
We understand that having a loved one that lives in squalor can be embarrassing and confronting but much like hoarding, living in squalor is considered as a mental illness and raises severe concern for health and safety of people who reside in the property.
Health and Safety Risks
Squalor (Biohazard)
Faeces can contain bacteria, viruses and diseases such as: C-Diff, covid-19, hepatitis A and E, Giardia, E coli, Cholera and norovirus.
Urine also can also contain harmful bacteria and germs.
Both urine and faeces contain ammonia.
Inhaling large amounts of ammonia can cause burning of the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract. This can result in blindness, lung damage or death
Inhaling lower concentration can cause coughing and nose and throat irritation.
Blood can contain viruses some are treatable others are life long. Examples: Hepatitis, HIV, malaria.
Mould inhalation can cause nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, respiratory infections and worsening asthma or allergies.
Hoarder
Increase the likelihood of a fire
Increase the likelihood of the occupant(s) being trapped and being able to safely self-evacuate in the event of a fire
Significantly delays access time for firefighters to gain entry to perform search and rescue
Increases risk of falls
Delays access for other emergency responders . Example medical aid from ambulance services
Increases social isolation
Impact the health, wellbeing and safety of children
Affect relationships with partners or family members