The Audio Long Read Best of 2025: The human stain remover: what Britain’s greatest extreme cleaner learned from 25 years on the job
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Dec 26, 2025 Explore the wild world of extreme cleaning with Ben Giles, who has tackled everything from murder scenes to whale dismemberment. Discover the unique tactics he employs to combat tough stains and the emotional toll his job takes. Delve into the origins of his cleaning empire and the specialized training he offers. Hear amusing anecdotes about bizarre jobs and the personal meanings behind stains. Giles even shares practical tips for tackling blood and other stubborn messes, blending humor with deep reflections on human frailty.
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Soften, Don’t Sand Dried Phlegm
- Avoid sanding dried phlegm because it risks making material airborne and spreading contamination.
- Giles recommends fogging with Biotrol 4-in to soften the deposit, then gently wipe it away.
Stains Reveal Human Frailty
- Stains reveal human frailty and underline that bodies produce mess as part of life and death.
- Giles's role is social: he removes what others cannot bear to see and restores public order.
Work From Outside In
- Tackle messes from the outside in to prevent spreading contamination across the area.
- Giles's 'everything in front of you is dirty; everything behind you is clean' guides trainee behaviour.
