What is vehicle blood cleanup?
It is the removal of blood and other body fluids from the interior of a vehicle, followed by disinfection and odor treatment. The vehicle might be a family car after an injury, a car involved in a crash, a rideshare or taxi after an incident, a vehicle where someone was injured or died, a police or EMS unit, or a work truck after a workplace injury.
Vehicles are harder to clean than rooms. Blood runs through seat seams into foam, drips into carpet padding and travels under trim, into door cavities and along wiring. A wipe-down leaves the hidden material behind, and the smell and the risk come back, especially in the heat.
Why can't I just take it to a detailer?
Most detailers are not set up for it. Regular detailing is meant for dirt and stains, not for infectious material. Detailers are not usually trained under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030), which sets training and protective equipment requirements for workers who may contact blood, and they may not have a legal way to dispose of contaminated seats or padding. Some will decline the job. Others will do it without proper precautions, which exposes their staff and the next owner.
A biohazard provider treats the vehicle like any other scene: protective gear, removal of what is soaked, cleaning, disinfection and lawful disposal.
What does the job involve?
- Inspection. The technician finds every affected area, including under seats, in seams, along the headliner and in door panels.
- Protective equipment. Gloves, eye protection and a disposable suit or apron, with respiratory protection when needed.
- Disassembly. Seats, trim and panels may be removed to reach hidden fluid.
- Removal of soaked material. Carpet, foam and padding that absorbed blood are often cut out and replaced rather than cleaned.
- Cleaning and disinfection. Hard and cleanable surfaces are cleaned and then disinfected with an EPA-registered product held wet for its contact time.
- Odor treatment. If needed, hydroxyl, ozone or enzyme treatments are used after the source is removed.
- Waste disposal. Biomedical waste goes through a Florida Department of Health registered transporter under Chapter 64E-16. Ask for a receipt.
- Reassembly and inspection.
The provider can tell you if any parts need to be replaced by an auto upholstery or repair shop. Some do that coordination, and others leave it to you.
When is it urgent?
- After a crash or injury in which someone bled in the vehicle
- When a death occurred in the vehicle
- When the car was used for a crime and law enforcement has released it
- When the vehicle will be sold, returned to a lessor or used by children
- When a business vehicle has to go back into service
If the vehicle is evidence or being held, such as at a tow yard or police impound, do not clean it until the agency releases it. The Polk County Sheriff's non-emergency line is 863-298-6200.
What does it cost and does insurance cover it?
It depends on how much blood, how deep it went and which parts have to be replaced. A small area on a seat is a short job, and a vehicle that was in a serious crash is a bigger one. Ask for a written estimate and ask whether replacement parts are included.
Comprehensive auto insurance sometimes covers interior damage after a covered event. In other cases a crash claim, a business policy or a rideshare company's coverage may apply. Call your insurer and ask what documentation they need. A commercial vehicle owner should also check workers' compensation if the incident involved an injury on the job.
Is there anything specific to Lakeland?
Lakeland sits on I-4, US-98 and the Polk Parkway, and the area has a lot of commuter and freight traffic, plus airport and event travel in and out of Lakeland Linder International Airport. Crash-related and injury-related vehicle cleanups follow the traffic. Heat is a factor too: a car sitting in the sun in Florida can turn into an oven, which accelerates odor and bacterial growth. Do not leave a contaminated vehicle sitting in the sun for days.
When should I call?
Call as soon as the vehicle is released and safe to handle. Keep it out of the sun and do not use it until it is cleaned. We connect you with an independent provider that serves your ZIP code, including Cleveland Heights and South Lakeland. For other fluids, read about bodily fluid cleanup, and for a full overview of how we work, see the biohazard cleanup in Lakeland homepage.
Frequently asked questions
Can a car detailer remove blood from seats?
A detailer can often remove the stain, but not the hidden fluid in foam and padding, and detailers are not usually trained or equipped for biohazard. A biohazard provider treats the hidden contamination as well.
How long does vehicle blood cleanup take?
A small spot can take a few hours. Seat removal, padding replacement or multiple areas can take a day or more. The provider can give a schedule after inspecting the vehicle.
Is blood in a car dangerous?
It can be. Bloodborne pathogens such as hepatitis B and C and HIV may be present. Treat any blood in a vehicle as potentially infectious until it is properly cleaned.
Will my auto insurance pay for it?
Possibly, depending on the policy and the cause. Comprehensive coverage sometimes covers interior damage after a covered event. Call your insurer before the work begins.
What if the vehicle is at a tow yard or impound?
Do not clean it until the agency releases it. Once released, a provider can inspect and clean it.
Can an emergency vehicle be cleaned?
Yes. Providers can decontaminate police, fire and EMS vehicles, and agencies often have set procedures. Tell us what kind of vehicle it is when you call.