Swindon-based cleaning company So Fresh and So Clean has become one of only a small number of companies in Wiltshire and the South West qualified to undertake extreme cleaning services.
This means the company is qualified to dispose of biohazard waste and specialist cleaning services that are beyond the training of other companies, including drug paraphernalia, bodily fluids following trauma or death and supporting people to deal with hoarding situations.
Company Director Laura Dent said it was a request from a regular client that prompted the move into extreme cleaning.
She explained, “During the pandemic, we were carrying out carpet cleaning for one of our regular commercial clients, a hotel in the town centre, which was being used by the council to house the homeless. We got to know the support workers who asked if we carried out needle sweeps. At the time, because of the pandemic, there was no in-person training available, so we completed an online course and gained our qualifications.
“It’s an area of cleaning where we’ve striven to become qualified because we know we can really help individuals who may be very vulnerable and we can help organisations locally deal with very difficult situations.”
Neil and Laura Dent, who live in Swindon, started So Fresh & So Clean as a carpet cleaning company in 2011. Back then they had one carpet cleaning machine with Neil as the only employee.
From those humble beginnings, the company has grown steadily and now offers a variety of services that include specialist and bio-hazard cleaning, which grew organically out of the company’s other services.
“I never expected to go down this path but now we’re here it seems inevitable,” Laura continued. “It has become obvious there is a clear need for these types of services across Swindon, Wiltshire and beyond.”
Neil and Laura have also added Level 3 mental health first aid training to the company’s portfolio.
“It was natural for us to have a much deeper understanding of why someone might hoard or get to a situation where their home becomes a hazard rather than a safe place.”
Extreme cleaning services are needed for a wide variety of reasons. The company works with support workers, hospital discharge teams, mental health charities, probate solicitors, care homes and care providers, and directly with clients and their relatives.
Laura added, “It’s very sensitive work and whoever needs to use these lifeline services will be looking for a company that is approachable and understanding, and who will conduct their work with the respect and dignity it deserves.”
As well as offering extreme cleaning, the company also provides a full range of commercial cleaning services. To find out more about So Fresh and So Clean please visit https://www.sofreshandsoclean.org.uk
Pictured above: Laura Dent of So Fresh & So Clean which is now qualified to offer ‘extreme cleaning’ services
