Cleaning Up the Smell From a Dead Body

Getting rid of odors from a dead body is the most arduous task for a cleaner. It is likely that the body has begun to decompose to some extent before it was removed if a strong odor is present or the biological matter left behind and the bacteria attracted to it is causing an increasing putrefaction odor. The cleaning of blood, bodily fluids, biological materials, and other potentially infectious materials is the first step in eliminating the odor. Biohazard cleanup technicians pay much attention to the main affected area and secondary affected areas to remediate odor-causing contamination before attempting to remove any remaining environmental odors in the property. Dead body cleaners undergo training on appropriate and safe decomposition cleanup methods and odor removal. They wear personal protective equipment (PPE) for their safety and that of others. The equipment and disinfection techniques Affinity Bio Solutions uses are closely aligned with those suggested by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) responsible for writing national crime scene cleanup and odor removal standards.

Here are some ways crime scene cleaners remove dead body odor.

Inspection of the unattended death scene

The first part of this process often involves contact with family members who may be present on scene and answering questions clearly and concisely, that acknowledges and respects the fact that this is likely to be a very traumatic experience for them. This can often take an emotional toll on the cleanup professional; experience and the knowledge that the process removes the potential for a traumatizing event for family members is often enough to help maintain focus. During the inspection of the property, safety hazards are identified, valuable items and damage are documented, and a scope of work is determined. Universal precautions are necessary when assessing the scene, meaning that no matter how severe or whether the deceased person is known to have had any disease or illness, every environment is treated as potentially infectious. Following the principle of universal precautions to maintain the safety of all staff, full PPE is worn in all potentially biohazardous situations.

 Assistance with homeowners’ insurance and estimates

If homeowners’ insurance is available, it may be possible for the family to save money on the necessary cleanup and to receive payment to replace or repair any parts of the homes structure that may have been damaged as a result of the death. Assistance may be provided to navigate this process and to help clients understand coverages and avoid any unexpected expenses. Once coverage is confirmed and a claim number is obtained, the cleanup and removal of the dead body odor can begin, and it becomes the responsibility of the crime scene cleanup company to document and bill the insurance company for the necessary work. If no insurance was in place at the time of death, the family should be provided with an estimate before work is carried out. Family members should feel confident at this point that the crime scene cleanup company will be effective in restoring the home to a livable condition; family members or new tenants should be comfortable knowing that returning to the home does not pose any risk to themselves or others once the cleanup is complete.

Cleaning and Disinfecting

Different bioremediation chemicals are used to remove decomposition odor from a home. These chemicals are approved as disinfectants and deodorizers for dead body odors and associated contamination. Trauma cleanup specialists will typically move toward the main affected area impacted by decomposition, cleaning and disinfecting toward the main area helps to avoid cross-contamination. Once the main affected area is clean and disinfected, secondary affected areas are addressed. These could be areas that have been contaminated as the body was removed from the scene, other forms of cross-contamination, or insect activity. During these steps, contaminated structural items and contents are identified as salvageable or unsalvageable and restored or documented and discarded. With a license to transport medical waste, Affinity Bio Solutions will then generate a manifest and transport the biohazardous waste to a medical waste treatment facility. The odor removal process then begins, which may involve wall washing, general cleaning, air scrubbing, thermal fogging, and hydroxyl generation. Furniture and contents where dead body odor is likely to remain after cleaning and odor treatments would be identified to family members and discarded after documentation.

Routine Practice

Many steps are required to fully remove the decomposition odor from homes after a death occurs. Many of these steps involve exposure to potentially infectious contaminants, which require the use of appropriate PPE and training to avoid exposing oneself and others to illness or disease. It is routine practice for crime scene cleaners to ask family members not to enter the property to avoid cross-contamination and unnecessary exposure, resulting in increased emotional distress. Specialized equipment is necessary to carry out the cleanup and odor removal process; proper documentation and billing practices are also necessary for any reimbursement from insurance providers. For these reasons and others listed above, it is best practice to call a trauma cleanup and odor removal company rather than attempt to perform the cleanup process without one.

Next Steps

After remediation is complete, it may be necessary to coordinate with the insurance adjuster to make sure the appropriate contractors are scheduled to replace items such as flooring that may have been damaged because of the biohazard situation. This is often covered by the insurance company as they have proof from the biohazard cleanup company that these items require removal. Painting may, on occasion, also be required and approved. Without homeowners’ insurance, family members will need to obtain their own contractors or receive a referral from Affinity Bio Solutions. It is an uncommon occurrence for any odor to return, but should this occur, it is best to call the company that carried out the decomposition odor removal before making any repairs in the home so they may return and address the problem fully.

Contact Affinity Bio Solutions for All Your Professional Biohazard Cleanup Needs to learn more about our professional odor removal and remediation.

Contact Affinity Bio Solutions for All Your Professional Biohazard Cleanup Needs to learn more about our professional odor removal and remediation.

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