Rotting food problem!?

Question

I have rented my flat out to students and when I came to collect the keys at the end of the 2 years lease I found them under the porch with a note.

The problem is the flat has been left in a disgusting mess. The kitchen is FULL of ROTTEN FOOD and pizza boxes about a foot high. The mess is filthy and there are dozens of dead ants or other small insects on the floor. I have started on cleaning it up myself as the place is inhabitable. All I am worried about is getting mould spores on me - I am using rubber gloves but worried in case I breathe in something harmful or in case it finds its way onto my clothes.

Some of thjis food may have been here for over a year. Can you tell me the health risks to cleaning it myself? I want to be sure that I will not be puting myself at risk. Any advice? ps. are there profesional cleaners who deal with this as I assume an ordinary cleaner would not go near it? thanks

Answer 1

Go to you local health food store and buy a bottle of essential oil of oregano.  Put a goodly amount in a spray bottle (like 25 drops or so) and some kind of detergent to break up the oil and top off with water to fill the bottle.  Shake it up and spray it all over everything before you begin to dump everything into lawn and leaf bags.  Remove each bag from the premisis as you get it filled, and spray the next layer.  By the time you get to the bottom, you will have muddy pools with all of the dust and dirt, which have now been treated with an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal agent, that you can sponge up with paper towels and/or rags, if there happens to be a washing machine.  Sure, gloves and face mask are essential, but the treament will keep the dust down, and if you were to take a swab to a chemist after you were done cleaning, you would probably find that the residual contamination is minimal.

Answer 2

I'm sure you can find a company who would clean it. However, I would invest in paper covers for your shoes, gloves, and face masks, and you should be fine. I know the loss you already are experiencing with just the repairs you will have to deal with will be costly. Just cover well, and do as much as you are able to do may save you allotof money. So sorry for you!

Answer 3

filter for your face. Shovel out the most you can. And clean everything with soapy bleach water. Everything but the outside of refrigerator. It will rust something awful.I suppose the bathrooms are a mess.

Now you know why landlords require First and Last payments before anyone moves in. Plus security.I think you will be safe because none of your tenants are dead or are they?Check the closets.Good luck. You just got to grit your teeth and tackle it head on.

Answer 4

Black Mold! Do not breath in Black Mold It is deadly!