Why these scenes are messy
K2 and Spice are street names for synthetic cannabinoid products, which are usually smoked. The places where they were used sometimes also involve vomiting, incontinence or a medical emergency. The result is often a combination of smoke residue and body fluids.
We approach these sites as both a residue cleanup and a bodily fluid cleanup, and we bring the protective equipment and disinfectants to handle both.
Sites that call us
- Private homes, apartments and rental units
- Emergency shelters and transitional housing
- College residence halls
- Correctional and detention facilities
- Hotels and extended-stay properties
- Public restrooms and stairwells in commercial buildings
- Cars and other vehicles
What the cleanup includes
We begin with the body fluids, because they present the most immediate infection concern. Vomit, urine and feces are removed with absorbent material, the surfaces are cleaned, and then an EPA-registered disinfectant is applied and kept wet for its label contact time. Bedding, pillows and mattresses with fluid contamination are removed in most cases.
Next comes the smoke residue. Walls, ceilings, fixtures and furniture in the use area are HEPA vacuumed and washed with detergent solutions. Curtains, cushions and other fabrics that hold odor are cleaned or removed, and vent covers are cleaned and filters replaced.
Remnants of the product, packaging, rolling papers and pipes are collected and bagged.
Recurring service for facilities
Shelters, dorms and correctional facilities sometimes face repeated incidents in the same rooms or wings. Rather than calling each time, some facilities prefer a standing arrangement: scheduled cleanings plus on-call response for incidents in between.
We work within your facility's rules on escorts, access hours and security, and we coordinate with your housekeeping or environmental services team so that responsibilities are clear. Your own staff remain covered by your organization's exposure control plan for any incidental cleanup they do. Our correctional facility cleanup page covers secure settings in more detail.
Belongings and shared spaces
In shelters, dorms and other shared housing, a resident's belongings may be in the affected area. We follow your facility's procedures for personal property, set items aside for staff to handle, and avoid discarding anything that belongs to a resident without your direction.
In private homes, we review furniture, bedding and clothing with the family. Washable clothing with light contamination can usually be laundered in hot water with detergent; mattresses, pillows and upholstered pieces that absorbed fluids are generally removed.
Odor after synthetic cannabinoid use
The chemical smell associated with these products can linger in fabric and on hard surfaces. Removing soft goods and washing film are what make the real difference. Deodorizing equipment may be used afterward as a supplement, and if ozone is used, it is only in rooms that will remain empty until they are cleared, consistent with EPA guidance.
Safety notes for staff and families
Do not clean vomit or other fluids without gloves, and avoid sweeping dried material, which can raise dust. Wash hands with soap and water after any contact with residue. If someone is unresponsive, having trouble breathing or behaving in a way that puts them at risk, call 911.
Medical concerns about exposure go to a healthcare provider. We do not identify substances or provide medical advice.
Referrals
Ductwork cleaning goes to an HVAC contractor, and damaged flooring or drywall to the appropriate trade. For vomit-only incidents without smoke residue, see vomit cleanup. We serve sites in Nashville and across Middle Tennessee.