What Does Methamphetamine Lab Cleaning Involve?

• What is methamphetamine lab cleaning?
• Why you should not clean up a methamphetamine-contaminated property yourself
• How do professionals clean up methamphetamine labs?
  • The property is surveyed
  • Any lab waste and bulk chemicals are cleared away and disposed of
  • Contaminated objects are removed
  • Every surface from top to bottom is cleaned
  • The plumbing system will be cleaned
  • They will test the contamination levels
• Book our technicians 

If your property was used to make methamphetamine, it will probably be contaminated with lots of dangerous chemicals. You must bring in specialist cleaners to clean and decontaminate the property, or you could be putting your tenants at risk of serious health problems.

Here at ICE Cleaning, we provide quick and effective drug and methamphetamine laboratory cleaning services. Our technicians are experts in the handling and disposal of biohazardous waste, and are available nationwide, 365 days a year, 24/7.

Read on to find out how professional cleaners clean up a methamphetamine lab.

What is methamphetamine lab cleaning?

Methamphetamine labs are very dangerous places which can contain hazardous waste, harmful chemicals including acetone, pseudoephedrine, and phosphine, and methamphetamine residue.

Methamphetamine lab clean up is the process of clearing up these substances, disposing of waste and decontaminated belongings, and deep cleaning the rest of the building.

A thorough job by a professional cleaner is essential as exposure to the vapours produced during methamphetamine production can cause health problems including:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Skin rashes
• Dizziness and confusion
• Chemical burns
• Eyes, nose, and throat irritation
• Trouble breathing

It can also cause more serious problems with your liver and kidneys, and even cancer. Infants and children are at particular risk of these long-term issues. You can find out more about the dangers associated with illegal drug labs here.

Why you should not clean up a methamphetamine-contaminated property yourself

Given how hazardous it is to live in a house that used to contain a methamphetamine lab, you may be tempted to clean it so you can put up the property for sale or to let. But it is recommended that you leave this to professional cleaners.

The entire property will need to be cleaned, requiring you to be inside of it for long periods of time, and without personal protective equipment this would endanger your health.

It is also likely you will not have the knowledge and products to clean it thoroughly enough, either, or could miss areas that need cleaning, like the HVAC system. You may leave behind a dangerous environment which could harm the next tenants' health.

Should you use the wrong cleaning solution or technique, you could also make the area more unsafe. Bleach, for example, might react with the chemicals found in methamphetamine and may produce a toxic gas.

Professional cleaners know how to clean up a methamphetamine lab, and have the training, experience, specialist equipment, and PPE to do it safely and thoroughly. You can be sure they will remove all traces of the methamphetamine and any other harmful substances.

How do professionals clean up methamphetamine labs?

The property is surveyed

The cleaners start by finding out the level of contamination in the property so they can formulate a bespoke cleaning plan.

Any lab waste and bulk chemicals are cleared away and disposed of

During this process, the cleaners will ventilate the property by opening all the windows and doors to the outside of the building. This should remove some of the air contaminants, bring in fresh air, and make the environment safer for the cleaners.

They may also use air scrubbers to help replace the air inside the property. If there is a HVAC system in your property, it will be shut off so it does not recirculate toxic particles.

Contaminated objects are removed

Some porous surfaces, like furniture, curtains, and carpet, are very difficult to clean as toxic particles can sink deep into them. Professional cleaners can determine what must be discarded and what could be cleaned, and will dispose of unsalvageable possessions for you.

Every surface from top to bottom is cleaned

High power vacuums will get rid of methamphetamine particles on the walls and floors. Then, the cleaners will use specialist cleaning products and equipment to tackle hard surfaces, including hard-to-reach areas.

They will test and disinfect the HVAC system, as well, to make sure it can’t re-release toxic particles into a clean property.

The plumbing system will be cleaned

It is likely that some methamphetamine residue was poured into sinks and toilets when the lab was in use. This could lead to corrosion and make your plumbing system flammable. Cleaners will inspect the plumbing system and clean it so it is safe to use.

They will test the contamination levels

Cleaners will regularly test the methamphetamine contamination levels – including at the end of the cleaning process - to ensure that your property is safe again.

Book our technicians 

Our technicians have gone through extensive training in laboratory cleaning so they can restore your property quickly. They can be on site in a matter of hours in an emergency.

To find out more about our drug lab cleaning services, give us a call on 0208 066 0360 or email us at enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk.