About this site
An independent guide to specialist cleaning after a death or hoarding in the UK. Free tools and plain answers first; an optional introduction to a cleaning firm if you want one.
Researched and edited by Taro Schenker · Updated · Sources and method
Why it exists
People who need a trauma clean or a hoarded home cleared usually need it once, at a hard time, with no idea who to call, what is normal or what it should cost. The pages that answered those searches were mostly written by cleaning firms about their own services. This site puts the practical answers in one place: what the law says in each UK nation, who can help for free, what firms charge, and how to check a firm before you let it in.
How it is funded
We are not a cleaning company, and we do not do any cleaning. The tools and guides are free and ask for nothing. If you fill in the enquiry form, we try to pass your details to one cleaning firm that covers the area, so it can contact you and quote. If you use that firm, it may pay us a fee. You are never charged by us, and you are free to use any other firm.
The fee never changes what the guides say. The prices on this site are other firms’ published prices, with their sources, and the free routes (councils, fire services, charities) are listed first where they exist.
How the pages are researched
Rules and processes come from legislation, government guidance and the organisations that run each service. Prices come from named UK firms, cost guides, council tariffs and public contracts, with the page date and VAT basis wherever the source gives them. Each page lists the sources it relies on, and sources and method explains how we choose them. Where the nations differ, we say which one a rule covers.
This is general information, not legal, financial or medical advice. If something decides money or your rights, check it with the organisation named.
Who publishes it
The Clean-Up Guide is published by Known By One, LLC, 131 Continental Dr, Suite 305, Newark, DE 19713, United States. Corrections and questions: contact@thecleanupguide.co.uk.