The human stain remover: what Britain’s greatest extreme cleaner learned from 25 years on the job | Tom Lamont

The GuardianTuesday, September 23, 2025 at 4:00:38 AM
The human stain remover: what Britain’s greatest extreme cleaner learned from 25 years on the job | Tom Lamont
Ben Giles, a seasoned extreme cleaner from Cardigan, Wales, has spent 25 years tackling some of the most challenging cleaning jobs imaginable, from crime scenes to unusual messes like whale blubber. His expertise was recently highlighted when he was called to clean a London theatre entrance smeared with blood and faeces. This story not only showcases the unique and often overlooked profession of extreme cleaning but also emphasizes the importance of restoring spaces to their original state, providing comfort and safety to those affected.
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