Cleaner Finds Bathtub of Faeces, Tonne of Urine Bottles

Mufaro Mapanda, a specialist cleaner, has observed a significant increase in hoarding cases. Her firm, Pocket Rockets, recently tackled a property containing a bathtub filled with human faeces and over a tonne of urine bottles, underscoring the extreme conditions faced by some individuals. Mapanda emphasizes that hoarding is frequently tied to mental health challenges and urges increased awareness and support for vulnerable community members.

Mapanda's commitment to helping others began long before her cleaning service. Originally from Zimbabwe, she fled to the UK in 1999 and worked for Transport for London for 17 years. In 2012, she founded the Hope for African Communities charity, which supports refugees and asylum seekers and has funded a primary school in Zimbabwe. She also co-founded a food bank in Basildon during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her biohazard and trauma cleaning business, established in 2023, tackles difficult situations including violence, suicide, and hoarding. Dealing with hoarders requires immense patience, as building trust can take weeks. The process of clearing cluttered homes is arduous, often damaging structures and requiring extensive emotional support. Mapanda views her cleaning work as a charitable act, helping individuals overcome severe personal challenges.