This section of the website contains content that may be disturbing to some readers!
The Profs
At 12B Clean, “the Pros”—a specially trained Crime Scene Clean Team—are on standby year-round, day and night, to carry out emotionally and physically demanding cleaning work. The task of cleaning a death scene is a sensitive matter.
It is not uncommon for a deceased person to be discovered only after several days or weeks—and sometimes even after many months. In the latter case, the body is already in an advanced state of decomposition, and the resulting odor alerts those in the vicinity.
After the police, fire department, public health service, and government have taken the first step (having a funeral director remove the body), “the Pros” step in to handle the next steps.
Based on practical experience, “the Pros” at 12B Clean have developed a step-by-step plan to ensure that the scene of death can be cleaned up quickly and efficiently. The sooner “the Pros” can clear out the home, the faster the problem is resolved for the bereaved.
It is becoming increasingly common for people to die alone, with their deaths going unnoticed by family, friends, or acquaintances. It usually takes a few days, sometimes years, and in rare cases even much longer, before the deceased person is found.
In urban areas, such as Amsterdam, a deceased person goes unnoticed for more than half a year on average once a year. Five times a year, it takes two months (or longer) before others realize the person is missing. Once every ten days, a person is found who has been dead for more than two weeks.
Every other day, somewhere in the Netherlands, a deceased person is found who has gone unnoticed for more than 24 hours. These are mostly older men who live alone and in isolation and have little or no contact with their family and/or the community. We’re talking about large numbers—numbers that are significant and truly matter. Because every single case is—in our view—one too many!
A bitter irony: this group is growing in number every year, while the age at death is getting lower and lower. It’s a challenge for “the Pros” at 12B Clean to do something about this. By bringing people out of their isolation, situations like this can be prevented.
Every human life is worth paying attention to. This is a major social problem.
Every body (or cadaver) in a state of decomposition emits various types of odors due to the release of gases and compounds. Neighbors and nearby residents (and we ourselves) often describe these odors as rotting meat, rotten eggs or cabbage, feces, a pungent garlic smell, or a combination of these. The source of this odor must be eliminated first. Next, the area must be professionally cleaned and disinfected immediately. Where necessary, we eliminate these odors using ozone treatment.
We wear protective clothing, safety goggles, and masks—equipped with purified compressed air when necessary—to carry out the step-by-step plan under the proper conditions. We can often complete the most common tasks in just a few hours. By the time we leave, the space has been cleared of anything that still serves as a reminder of the traumatic event.
It’s best to leave the cleaning of a room or area where a person has died by suicide to “the Pros.” They are trained and experienced in dealing with these kinds of situations. Their distance from the deceased is less than the bond with family and loved ones, which reduces the emotional impact. That said, even “the Pros” are not entirely unmoved by the situation.
After a person dies or commits suicide while living in isolation, it may take some time before family members and/or those around them notice. In the meantime, the body begins to decompose, making the sight of the deceased shocking. This has a profound impact on the person who discovers the body and can cause long-term (post-traumatic) stress.
Immediately after death, physical processes begin that set in motion the body’s natural decomposition. The supply of oxygen stops immediately, and carbon dioxide (CO2) builds up in the cells, causing the body to decompose from the inside out. This leads to the formation of a fluid that serves as a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, which further break down the muscles and organs. As many as 400 chemicals are released during these natural processes, some of which are toxic.
Carcass fluids can enter the bloodstream, which can cause blood poisoning. It is also possible that, due to the situation, blood and other bodily fluids—such as urine and feces—may be present outside the body. Physical contact with a deceased person can therefore lead to the transmission of bacteria, viruses, and diseases, such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, and MRSA.
Don't try to clean it yourself.
Suicide is a deeply emotional experience for the bereaved; the news often comes as a tremendous shock—even if they haven’t seen the body. Whenever a body is found, emergency services such as the police, fire department, public health department, and a medical examiner are immediately called in.
Once the cause of death has been determined and foul play has been ruled out, the body is released and can be picked up by a funeral home. At that point, “the Pros” from 12B Clean can begin cleaning the crime scene of all evidence.
Believe us, this cleaning job is a specialized task that requires a great deal of discipline. By leaving it to “the Pros,” you can avoid potentially traumatic stress down the road. Moreover, neither you—nor any other cleaning company—has the right resources, materials, and expertise to do this specific cleaning job properly.
First, the area must be treated with the appropriate industrial cleaning and disinfecting agents. Blood and fluid stains are removed, and wherever possible, surrounding materials such as carpeting, etc., are preserved. The area must then be thoroughly deodorized; otherwise, it will eventually develop an unbearable odor. “The Pros” perform all of this while wearing protective clothing, sometimes including positive-pressure respirators, to ensure compliance with biohazard regulations. Afterward, the area is tested for the presence of adenosine triphosphate to guarantee compliance with hospital-level disinfection standards and biohazard guidelines.
Based on their experience, the “Pros” at 12B Clean have developed a structured step-by-step plan for effectively cleaning the site where a body was found following a suicide.
The task of cleaning a place where a death has occurred is a sensitive matter. We understand that you may need a personal explanation and further clarification. We guarantee you complete discretion in the performance of our work.
We carry out these procedures with respect for the deceased, the family, the next of kin, and the community. They will be affected as little as possible. We are bound by the rules established in accordance with the Biohazard guidelines, but we do everything we can to ensure privacy and preserve personal belongings.
Please call one of our staff members if you have any questions or would like a quote.
At 12B Clean, we don’t shy away from anything—and I mean absolutely anything—when it comes to cleaning. Our three divisions are staffed by intelligent and highly trained people who know exactly what is expected of them.