Human feces cleanup

What this involves

Feces incidents range from a single accident to rooms where waste has been smeared on walls, doors and furniture, or left in containers over a long period. Smearing can happen with dementia, some mental health conditions, or deliberate vandalism, and it often reaches places people do not think to check: light switches, door edges, grout lines, the underside of handles and the backs of furniture. On porous surfaces such as carpet, upholstery, unsealed wood and drywall paper, waste soaks in, and odor keeps coming back after the surface looks clean. In care homes and family homes, the same rooms may be affected again and again, which changes the goal from a one-time cleanup to removing what has absorbed waste and making surfaces easier to keep clean.

Why professional remediation matters

Human feces can carry bacteria, viruses and parasites, including norovirus, hepatitis A, E. coli and Salmonella. OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard does not list feces as potentially infectious on its own unless blood is visible, but the gastrointestinal risks are real, and many germs survive on surfaces after the waste is gone. The difference between cleaning and remediation is method: removing gross material first, cleaning before disinfecting so the disinfectant can actually work, using an EPA-registered product with label claims for the organisms of concern, and removing porous materials that cannot be decontaminated.

What to avoid before help arrives

• Do not spray disinfectant onto heavy waste and wipe. The waste needs to be removed and the surface cleaned before a disinfectant can work.
• Do not use a household vacuum, carpet cleaner or pressure washer on feces. They spread contamination into the machine and the air.
• Do not mix bleach with ammonia-based or acidic cleaners while trying to deal with odor.
• If the cause is a person's health or behavior, avoid cleaning in front of them in a way that shames them; ask for help from their care team.

How the work is done

1. Assessment. We identify every affected surface, including hidden ones, and separate what can be cleaned from what will need removal.
2. Protection. The work area is set up so contamination is not tracked into clean rooms, and nearby belongings are moved or covered.
3. Gross removal. Solid waste and heavily soiled disposable items are removed and bagged.
4. Clean, then disinfect. Hard surfaces are cleaned with detergent, then disinfected with an EPA-registered product at its labeled contact time.
5. Porous materials and odor. Carpet, pad, upholstery or drywall that absorbed waste is removed where needed, and remaining odor is traced to its source.
6. Final check. Surfaces are inspected again, including fixtures and edges that are often missed, before hand-back.

Waste handling

Feces without visible blood is generally not regulated medical waste in Tennessee and is bagged and disposed of as solid waste in line with local rules. Material that also contains blood, or that comes from a setting with its own rules, is packaged and routed as medical waste.

Afterward

After cleanup, rooms may be missing carpet or drywall sections. If smearing is linked to a resident's health, a doctor or care provider can help with prevention, and some facilities use wipeable wall finishes and flooring in affected rooms. In rentals, documenting the condition before and after helps when deposits or damage claims are reviewed.

Rules that apply in Tennessee

• OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard 29 CFR 1910.1030 · checked 2026-11-03

Where we provide this service

Throughout our Middle Tennessee service area, including:

• Nashville
• Murfreesboro
• Clarksville
• Franklin

Related

• Urine contamination cleanup
• Vomit cleanup and norovirus disinfection
• Sewage backup and blackwater cleanup

Questions