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H1: Trauma cleaning and biohazard decontamination
We understand you probably don’t want to be reading this page. If you’re here, something terrible has happened, and we’re sorry.
Whatever the circumstances, you shouldn’t have to deal with the aftermath yourself. That’s what we’re here for. We take that burden off your hands, quietly and professionally, so you can focus on the people around you and what comes next.
We’ve been doing this work for over 25 years. Every situation is different, and we treat every one with the care it deserves.
If you need help now, call us on 07985 505061 or 24/7 on 0808 303 7072. There’s no pressure, no obligation. We’ll talk you through what happens next.
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Discreet, unmarked vehicles | IICRC certified | Full biohazard waste compliance | £2M insured (AXA) | 25 years’ experience
What Trauma Cleaning Covers
People often associate this kind of work with crime scenes, but the reality is much broader. Most of our trauma cleaning work involves situations that aren’t criminal at all. They’re personal, private, and deeply painful for the families involved.
We provide after death cleaning and biohazard decontamination for:
- Unattended deaths where someone has passed away and not been found for some time
- Suicide cleanup and aftercare for the property
- Accidents at home involving serious injury or blood loss
- Self-neglect situations where a property has become a health risk
- Decomposition cleanup in cases where discovery was delayed
- Industrial or workplace accidents requiring biohazard decontamination
- Hoarding situations involving biological contamination
Each of these situations is different. A property after an unattended death of a few days looks very different to one where decomposition has continued for weeks. A self-neglect case has different challenges to an accident scene. We assess every job individually and give you an honest picture of what’s needed.
Why Professional Trauma Cleaning Is Necessary
There are two reasons, and both matter equally.
The biohazard risk
Blood, bodily fluids and decomposition byproducts are classified as biohazardous material. They carry genuine health risks, including bloodborne pathogens such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV, as well as bacteria that multiply rapidly in organic matter.
These materials soak into carpets, underlay, floorboards, plasterboard and soft furnishings. Surface cleaning won’t reach them. Standard household cleaning products won’t neutralise them. And without proper personal protective equipment, anyone attempting the cleanup is putting their own health at risk.
There’s also a legal element. Biohazardous waste can’t go in a bin bag. It must be disposed of through licensed hazardous waste channels with full documentation. We hold the necessary waste carrier licences and work with approved disposal facilities across the South West.
The emotional weight
No one should have to clean up after the death of someone they love. Full stop.
We’ve had families tell us they tried to start, got five minutes in, and couldn’t continue. We’ve had landlords who didn’t know their tenant well but were still shaken by what they found. We’ve had housing officers at Bristol City Council who needed the property turned around but wanted it done respectfully.
A woman in Knowle called us last year after her father passed away alone in his flat. He hadn’t been found for nine days. She’d been told by a well-meaning neighbour that a regular cleaning company could handle it. They couldn’t. She ended up seeing things no daughter should have to see before they walked out and left the job half done.
We finished it properly. She sent us a card afterwards. That’s the part of this work that matters to us.
Our Process
We’ve designed every step around two priorities: doing the work properly and protecting you from having to be involved in the details.
Step 1: First conversation
You call us. We listen. We’ll ask a few practical questions about the situation, the property, and access, but we won’t ask you to describe anything you’re not comfortable with. If the police or coroner are still involved, we’ll coordinate with them directly so you don’t have to.
Step 2: Site assessment
We attend the property in unmarked vehicles. No branded vans, no uniforms with “biohazard” written across them. Your neighbours don’t need to know what’s happened. We assess the affected areas and give you a clear, honest scope of work and cost before anything starts.
Step 3: Containment and PPE setup
We seal off affected areas to prevent cross-contamination. Our technicians work in full personal protective equipment: Tyvek suits, respirators, face shields, chemical-resistant gloves. This protects both them and the property.
Step 4: Biohazard removal and decontamination
All biohazardous materials are removed, bagged and labelled for licensed disposal. Contaminated soft furnishings, carpets, underlay and porous materials that can’t be decontaminated are taken out. Hard surfaces are cleaned with hospital-grade disinfectants and anti-microbial agents. We work methodically. Nothing gets missed.
Step 5: Odour treatment
In cases involving decomposition, odour penetrates deep into building materials. Surface cleaning won’t touch it. We use ozone generators, thermal fogging and hydroxyl machines to neutralise odour at a molecular level, not mask it. This is the same approach we use in our specialist odour removal work.
Step 6: Final inspection and handover
We verify the property is safe and habitable. You receive a documentation pack including waste transfer notes, treatment records and photographs. If the property is rented or managed, we provide everything the landlord or housing association needs.
You don’t have to be present for any of this. Many clients give us a key and ask us to let them know when it’s done. That’s completely fine. We’ll call you when the property is ready.
Discretion Is Not Optional
In my view, discretion is the thing that separates a good trauma cleaning company from a bad one. The technical work is important, but how you handle people during the worst days of their lives matters just as much.
We arrive in plain vehicles. Our team don’t discuss jobs in public areas. We won’t leave biohazard bags visible from the street. If a neighbour asks, we’re “cleaners doing some work on the property.” That’s it.
We’ve cleaned properties on busy streets in Redland, in blocks of flats in Hartcliffe, in shared houses in Easton. Privacy is always protected, regardless of the circumstances.
The honest caveat: we can restore a property to a safe, clean, habitable condition, but in severe decomposition cases, some building materials may need replacing afterwards. Floorboards, plasterboard, sometimes subfloor. We’ll tell you exactly what’s needed and can recommend contractors for any building work that falls outside our scope.
Support Resources
You don’t have to go through this alone. These organisations provide free, confidential support:
Cruse Bereavement Support Helpline: 0808 808 1677 Website: cruse.org.uk Free bereavement support for anyone who has lost someone, however they died.
Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (free, 24 hours) Email: jo@samaritans.org Website: samaritans.org Someone to talk to, any time, about anything.
Victim Support Helpline: 0808 168 9111 Website: victimsupport.org.uk Free support for anyone affected by crime or traumatic events, whether or not a crime has been reported.
Support After Suicide Partnership Website: supportaftersuicide.org.uk Resources specifically for people bereaved by suicide.
Bristol Mental Health Support Bristol’s local NHS mental health services can be accessed through your GP or by contacting the Bristol Mental Health Access Team.
We keep printed cards with these details in our vans. If it helps, we’ll leave one at the property for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can you respond to a trauma cleaning call?
We’re based on Southmead Road in BS10. For urgent situations, we can usually attend within a few hours across Bristol. Our 24/7 emergency line is 0808 303 7072. We also cover Bath, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset, typically within 90 minutes. If the police or coroner haven’t yet released the property, we’ll coordinate timing with them so we’re ready to start the moment access is granted.
Do I need to be at the property during the cleaning?
No. Most of our clients prefer not to be, and we completely understand that. You can give us a key, arrange access through a neighbour, solicitor or estate agent, or let us collect keys from a police station. We’ll keep you updated by phone or text, whichever you prefer, and let you know when the work is finished.
How much does trauma cleaning cost?
Every situation is different, so we quote after assessment. As a general guide: a contained situation in a single room typically ranges from £1,000 to £3,000. Extensive decomposition cleanup affecting multiple rooms or requiring significant material removal can be £3,000 to £8,000 or more. We’ll always give you a clear price before we start. If a landlord’s insurance or a local authority is covering the cost, we handle the paperwork directly.
Who pays for trauma cleaning after a death?
It depends on the circumstances. If the person owned the property, the cost usually comes from the estate. If it’s a rented property, the landlord’s insurance may cover it. Housing associations and local councils, including Bristol City Council, have their own processes and budgets for this. In some cases, Victim Support or local authority grants can help with costs. We’ll help you work out who’s responsible so you’re not left figuring it out alone.
Is trauma cleaning regulated in the UK?
There’s no specific licence required to call yourself a trauma cleaner in the UK. That’s a problem, honestly. It means anyone with a van and some bleach can advertise the service. What matters is proper training (we’re IICRC certified), correct waste disposal (we hold licensed waste carrier status), adequate insurance (we carry £2M with AXA), and the right equipment. Ask any company you’re considering about all four.
What happens to the biohazardous waste?
All biohazardous material is double-bagged in clearly labelled clinical waste bags, transported in sealed containers, and disposed of at licensed hazardous waste facilities. We provide waste transfer notes for every job. This isn’t optional. It’s a legal requirement under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005.
Can you clean a property after a hoarder has died?
Yes. We regularly handle situations where a bereavement and a hoarding cleanup overlap. These properties often involve biological contamination alongside the volume of belongings. We approach it in stages: biohazard decontamination first, then clearance of the remaining contents. We can work with probate solicitors and family members to identify and set aside valuables, documents and personal items before anything is disposed of.
Related Services
- Crime Scene Cleaning — Specialist cleaning after criminal incidents, working alongside police and forensic teams
- Odour Removal — Decomposition and biological odour elimination using ozone, thermal fogging and hydroxyl treatment
- Hoarding Cleanup — Sensitive clearance and deep cleaning of hoarded properties
- Deep Cleaning and Disinfection — Full property sanitisation and restoration
We’re Here When You Need Us
You don’t need to have everything figured out before you call. You don’t need to know the right terminology or have a plan. Just tell us what’s happened, and we’ll take it from there.
We’ve helped hundreds of families, landlords, housing officers and solicitors across Bristol and the South West. We’ll help you too.
Phone: 07985 505061 Emergency 24/7: 0808 303 7072 WhatsApp: 07985 505061 Email: hello@bristolcleaningheroes.co.uk
We’re at 290-294 Southmead Road, Bristol BS10 5EN. Covering all of Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.
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