We are frequently called to clean up after an unattended death or suicide and one of the very first questions we’re always asked is, “Can you get rid of this odor completely?” The answer is yes however, several factors will determine the amount of time and work necessary to remediate these odors and return the scene to a clean, sanitary environment.
What we’ll need to know:
- Where did the death occur, and what elements are directly connected to the death scene? For instance, did the person die in a bed, on a carpeted floor, in a bathtub or a car? Death clean up requires decontamination of furniture, flooring, fabrics and virtually any porous surfaces related to the scene. In certain cases, it may also be necessary to remove and replace walls, ceilings, sub-flooring and possibly insulation.
- How long has it been since the death occurred? If the death was an accident, suicide or an elderly person and not discovered immediately, the cleanup process is more entailed as most likely decomposition has started. We would need to follow specific cleaning processes using chemicals, antimicrobial cleaners and ozone or neutralizing agents. Ozone is commonly used in death cleanup because of its quick reaction to carbon based molecules associated with death odors. It’s a highly useful tool but not a guarantee that it will completely get rid of the odor.
Our Des Moines Iowa CTS Cleaners office and our other statewide offices take every measure to safely and effectively remediate these scenes with as minimal disruption as possible. Our cleanup technicians are trained to provide our clients with the emotional support needed during these types of tasks. The unattended death of a friend or loved one is never something that anyone is prepared to handle. The emotions and questions that are brought on by this tragic event can make it difficult to determine what to do next.
Our goal is to offer clients the assurance that our work will completely restore the scene to a pre-incident condition and we are dedicated to the protection and safety of our clients. Hiring the proper cleanup company is difficult, after we analyze the scene, we provide a full plan of action and work directly with our clients through each step of the process. Contact us at our Des Moines, IA office today for more information about the services we offer.